Human Activity and Hydrogeochemical Processes Relating to Groundwater Quality Degradation in the Yuncheng Basin, Northern China

Xubo Gao, Xue Li, Wanzhou Wang and Chengcheng Li
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Xubo Gao: State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Xue Li: State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Wanzhou Wang: State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Chengcheng Li: State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology and School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Groundwater quality degradation has raised widespread concerns about water supplies and ecological crises in China. In this study, hydrogeochemistry, environmental stable isotopes (δ 18 O, δD), and principal component analysis were conducted together to reveal the mechanism’s response to the hydrogeochemical and quality degradation of groundwater in Yuncheng Basin, Northern China, so that reasonable water resource management strategies can be developed. The study reveals that groundwater faces a tremendous risk of quality decrease during the past decade: (1) the hydrochemical facies of groundwater shows that the bicarbonate and chloride type water was replaced with sulfate type water and the occupying area of SO 4 ·Cl-Na, SO 4 ·HCO 3 -Na type water expanded dramatically in shallow and intermediate-deep aquifers. (2) Major ion chemistry and hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions indicate that the major hydrogeochemical processes responsible for groundwater quality deterioration include the dissolution of evaporates (i.e., halite, gypsum, and mirabilite), ion exchange, and evaporation process. Additionally, (3) anthropogenic activities (overutilization of fertilizer) have resulted in nitrate contamination, and have thereby led to groundwater quality degradation.

Keywords: human activity; groundwater quality; hydrogeochemistry; stable isotopes; Yuncheng Basin (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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