To investigate the hydrochemical variation of karstic groundwaters in a vertically zoned climate region affected by human activity, Shuifang Spring and Bitan Spring in the Jinfo Mountain area of Chongqing were selected as a study site. Based on the differences between the natural state and intensity of human activity of these two springs, their hydrogeochemical characteristics and the controlling factors on karstic groundwaters were analyzed by means of independent sample t tests, the Gibbs graphic method, principle component analysis (PCA), and geochemical susceptivity analysis. The results show that differences in karst development in the vertical climatic zone leads to higher total ion concentrations in Bitan Spring than in Shuifang Spring. The hydrochemical types of Shuifang Spring and Bitan Spring are HCO3-Ca and HCO3-Ca·Mg, respectively, which reflect the lithology of their different elevations. Carbonate rock dissolution is the main source of Ca2+, Mg2+, and HCO3- in karstic groundwaters. Hotel sewage discharge supplies SO42-, NO3-, PO43-, K+, and Na+ in Shuifang Spring, which peaked in winter and summer, while hydrochemical parameters of Bitan Spring changed smoothly throughout the year. The water quality of Bitan Spring is better than Shuifang Spring (Shuifang Spring water is classified as Class Ⅳ). PCA shows that the water-rock interaction was the first controlling factor. Hotel sewage discharge and ions from precipitation had important effects on Shuifang Spring and Bitan Spring, respectively. In addition, the effects of soil erosion and leaching caused by precipitation also impact on the water quality of two springs to some extent. The geochemical susceptibility of Shuifang Spring was greater than that of Bitan Spring; therefore, corresponding measures should be formulated according to the characteristics of these differently elevated karst systems when exploiting groundwater resources. This is especially the case for the treatment of hotel sewage.
Keywords: Jinfo Mountain; hotel sewage; hydrochemical characteristics; karst spring; principle component analysis (PCA).