Hydrogeochemical Insights into the Sustainable Prospects of Groundwater Resources in an Alpine Irrigation Area on Tibetan Plateau

Shaokang Yang, Zhen Zhao (), Shengbin Wang, Shanhu Xiao, Yong Xiao (), Jie Wang, Jianhui Wang, Youjin Yuan, Ruishou Ba, Ning Wang, Yuqing Zhang, Liwei Wang and Hongjie Yang
Additional contact information
Shaokang Yang: Bureau of Qinghai Environmental Geological Prospecting, Xi’ning 810007, China
Zhen Zhao: Bureau of Qinghai Environmental Geological Prospecting, Xi’ning 810007, China
Shengbin Wang: Bureau of Qinghai Environmental Geological Prospecting, Xi’ning 810007, China
Shanhu Xiao: Bureau of Qinghai Environmental Geological Prospecting, Xi’ning 810007, China
Yong Xiao: Faculty of Geosciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Jie Wang: Faculty of Geosciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Jianhui Wang: Bureau of Qinghai Environmental Geological Prospecting, Xi’ning 810007, China
Youjin Yuan: Bureau of Qinghai Environmental Geological Prospecting, Xi’ning 810007, China
Ruishou Ba: Bureau of Qinghai Environmental Geological Prospecting, Xi’ning 810007, China
Ning Wang: School of Water and Environment, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054, China
Yuqing Zhang: Faculty of Geosciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Liwei Wang: Faculty of Geosciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Hongjie Yang: Faculty of Geosciences and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 21, 1-21

Abstract: The Tibetan Plateau is the “Asia Water Tower” and is pivotal for Asia and the whole world. Groundwater is essential for sustainable development in its alpine regions, yet its chemical quality increasingly limits its usability. The present research examines the hydrochemical characteristics and origins of phreatic groundwater in alpine irrigation areas. The study probes the chemical signatures, quality, and regulatory mechanisms of phreatic groundwater in a representative alpine irrigation area of the Tibetan Plateau. The findings indicate that the phreatic groundwater maintains a slightly alkaline and fresh status, with pH values ranging from 7.07 to 8.06 and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) between 300.25 and 638.38 mg/L. The hydrochemical composition of phreatic groundwater is mainly HCO 3 -Ca type, with a minority of HCO 3 -Na·Ca types, closely mirroring the profile of river water. Nitrogen contaminants, including NO 3 − , NO 2 − , and NH 4 + , exhibit considerable concentration fluctuations within the phreatic aquifer. Approximately 9.09% of the sampled groundwaters exceed the NO 2 − threshold of 0.02 mg/L, and 28.57% surpass the NH 4 + limit of 0.2 mg/L for potable water standards. All sampled groundwaters are below the permissible limit of NO 3 − (50 mg/L). Phreatic groundwater exhibits relatively good potability, as assessed by the entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI), with 95.24% of groundwaters having an EWQI value below 100. However, the potential health risks associated with elevated NO 3 − levels, rather than NO 2 − and NH 4 + , merit attention when such water is consumed by minors at certain sporadic sampling locations. Phreatic groundwater does not present sodium hazards or soil permeability damage, yet salinity hazards require attention. The hydrochemical makeup of phreatic groundwater is primarily dictated by rock–water interactions, such as silicate weathering and cation exchange reactions, with occasional influences from the dissolution of evaporites and carbonates, as well as reverse cation-exchange processes. While agricultural activities have not caused a notable rise in salinity, they are the main contributors to nitrogen pollution in the study area’s phreatic groundwater. Agricultural-derived nitrogen pollutants require vigilant monitoring to avert extensive deterioration of groundwater quality and to ensure the sustainable management of groundwater resources in alpine areas.

Keywords: hydrochemistry; groundwater quality; nitrogen contamination; agricultural pollution; alpine region (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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