Distribution Patterns and Water-Level-Driven Evolution Mechanisms of Arsenic in Shallow Groundwater in the Lower Yellow River

Suhua Meng, Xiangquan Li, Xueqing Zhang (), Xiangxiang Cui, Jinli Cui, Chen Su, Yuhong Fei, Shan Lei and Kun Liu
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Suhua Meng: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Xiamen 361021, China
Xiangquan Li: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Xiamen 361021, China
Xueqing Zhang: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Xiamen 361021, China
Xiangxiang Cui: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Xiamen 361021, China
Jinli Cui: Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Chen Su: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Xiamen 361021, China
Yuhong Fei: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Xiamen 361021, China
Shan Lei: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Xiamen 361021, China
Kun Liu: Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Science, Xiamen 361021, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-20

Abstract: Due to the lack of research on the temporal variation in As in the lower Yellow River and the extreme rainfall during the 2021 rainy season, this study aimed to investigate the As distribution patterns and their evolution driven by water level changes. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that As mobilization was predominantly controlled by redox conditions and mineral dissolution/desorption processes. The distribution of high-As water exhibited significant spatial variability, mainly located in the alluvial fan plain (14.97 μg/L) and marine-alluvial plain (22.5 μg/L). The average As concentrations in the study area decreased by 3.78 μg/L(11.55 μg/L in May and 7.77 μg/L in September). High-As groundwater was highly sensitive to water level fluctuations, while low-As groundwater was less affected. In the alluvial fan plain, As decreased with a 0–2 m groundwater level rise but increased when the level exceeded 4 m. A sedimentary zone–As distribution–water level sensitivity response model was proposed, which provides important reference value for developing groundwater exploitation and utilization plans.

Keywords: lower Yellow River; high-As groundwater; sedimentary environment; water level driven; redox conditions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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