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

Ming Gao, Xiangquan Li, Jiazhong Qian, Zhenxing Wang (), Xinwei Hou, Chunlei Gui, Zhanxue Bai, Changchang Fu (), Jinqiu Li and Xuefeng Zuo
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Ming Gao: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Xiangquan Li: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Jiazhong Qian: School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China
Zhenxing Wang: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Xinwei Hou: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Chunlei Gui: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Zhanxue Bai: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Changchang Fu: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Jinqiu Li: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, China
Xuefeng Zuo: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Shijiazhuang 050061, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 21, 1-17

Abstract: Heilongdong Spring Basin (HSB) is located in a semi-arid region in northern China. In the past few decades, it has been influenced by anthropogenic activities. Currently, there is a lack of information about the impact on the hydrogeochemistry and groundwater quality of different aquifers. To address this concern, the present study used conventional hydrochemical diagrams, stable isotope analysis and multivariate statistical techniques to analyze hydrochemical characteristics and controlling factors of shallow and deep groundwater in the study area. The results showed that all groundwater samples were weakly alkaline. The shallow groundwater (SGW) was mainly composed of SO 4 -Ca and SO 4 ·HCO 3 -Ca·Mg water types with high TDS values. However, the predominant water types of deep groundwater (DGW) were HCO 3 -Ca·Mg and HCO 3 ·SO 4 -Ca·Mg types with relatively low TDS. The large majority of shallow groundwater had poor water quality, which was influenced by natural factors and anthropogenic activities, characterized by high concentrations of SO 4 2− , NO 3 − , and Cl − . In contrast, the overall water quality of deep groundwater was good, mainly controlled by the natural background. Nonetheless, a few karst groundwater samples of DGW in runoff areas exhibited close hydraulic connections with SGW samples and presented contamination to a certain degree. Our research results provide a scientific basis for the utilization and protection of groundwater in different aquifers in northern China.

Keywords: groundwater quality; hydrochemical characteristics; controlling factors; natural processes; anthropogenic activities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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