The long-term impacts of anthropogenic and natural processes on groundwater deterioration in a multilayered aquifer

Abstract

In many regions around the world, there are issues associated with groundwater resources due to human and natural factors. However, the relation between these factors is difficult to determine due to the large number of parameters and complex processes required. In order to understand the relation between land use allocations, the intrinsic factors of the aquifer, climate change data and groundwater chemistry in the multilayered aquifer system in Malaysia's Northern Kelantan Basin, twenty-two years hydrogeochemical data set was used in this research. The groundwater salinisation in the intermediate aquifer, which mainly extends along the coastal line, was revealed through the hydrogeochemical investigation. Even so, there had been no significant trend detected on groundwater salinity from 1989 to 2011. In contrast to salinity, as seen from the nitrate contaminations there had been significantly increasing trends in the shallow aquifer, particularly in the central part of the study area. Additionally, a strong association between high nitrate values and the areas covered with palm oil cultivations and mixed agricultural have been detected by a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), which implies that the increasing nitrate concentrations are associated with nitrate loading from the application of N-fertilisers. From the process of groundwater salinisation in the intermediate aquifer, could be seen that it has a strong correlation the aquifer lithology, specifically marine sediments which are influenced by the ancient seawater trapped within the sediments.

Anthropogenic Effects on Hydrogeochemical Characterization of the Shallow Groundwater in an Arid Irrigated Plain in Northwestern China

“…Correspondence analysis is a simultaneous linear regression scheme with dual scaling that allows the interpretation of both sample sites and variables in the same factor space [33]. The handling and representation are conducted by calculating a similarity matrix of the data which then undergoes a statistical transformation involving its diagonalization and the extraction of the eigenvectors and eigenvalues [34]. Correspondence analysis plots include two factor axes (Factor 1 and Factor 2) and the location of both the sample points and the hydrogeochemical variables.…”

Hydrochemical Characteristics and Controlling Factors of Shallow and Deep Groundwater in the Heilongdong Spring Basin, Northern China

“…The chemical composition and water quality of groundwater are co-influenced by natural processes and human inputs [13,14]. Thus, the identification of hydrogeochemistry and hydrological processes is of great significance for the protection of groundwater quality [15].…”

Analysis of Hydrochemical Characteristics and Causes of Drinking Water Sources in South China: A Case Study in Zhanjiang City

“…Hydrochemical characteristics reflect the environmental quality, the distribution of elements, and their migration/transformation [11,12]. The source of solutes in groundwater may be anthropogenic or natural [13].…”