Assessment of the water quality of groundwater in Bohai Rim and the controlling factors-a case study of northern Shandong Peninsula, north China

Zongjun Gao; Cong Han; Yuan Xu; Zhenhua Zhao; Zhenjiang Luo; Jiutan Liu

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117482

Assessment of the water quality of groundwater in Bohai Rim and the controlling factors-a case study of northern Shandong Peninsula, north China

Environ Pollut. 2021 Sep 15:285:117482. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117482. Epub 2021 May 29.

Authors

Zongjun Gao¹, Cong Han¹, Yuan Xu², Zhenhua Zhao², Zhenjiang Luo², Jiutan Liu³

Affiliations

¹ College of Earth Science and Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266590, China.
² 801 Institute of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China; Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Shandong Provincial Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources, Jinan, 250014, China; Shandong Engineering Research Center for Groundwater Environmental Protection and Remediation, Jinan, 250014, China.
³ College of Energy and Mining Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong, 266590, China. Electronic address: ljtsdust@126.com.

PMID: 34082370
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117482

Abstract

This study collected 184 groundwater (GW) samples from 92 wells during the dry and wet seasons, respectively to understand the hydrochemical characteristics, water quality, and risk of GW nitrate (NO₃^-) to human health in northern Shandong Peninsula (NSP), China. The results showed that GW in the NSP is weakly alkaline and classified as hard fresh water. The mean concentration of NO₃^- in GW exceeded 100 mg·L^-1, total hardness exceeded 450 mg·L^-1, and total dissolved solids (TDS) was less than 1000 mg·L^-1. A Piper diagram showed that the water chemistry of GW in the NSP was mainly of the SO₄·Cl-Ca·Mg type. A Gibbs diagram and ion ratio analysis indicated that the weathering of silicate rocks and agricultural production were the dominant factors affecting the hydrochemical characteristics of GW in the NSP, with cation exchange, dissolution of salt rock, and weathering of carbonate rock also making contributions. Na⁺ and Cl^- in GW are significantly affected by seawater aerosols in coastal areas. During the wet season, the hydrodynamic conditions of the aquifer are improved, agricultural activities are strengthened, and GW becomes generally homogenized. The water quality index classified the GW quality of the NSP as mainly of medium quality. There was a relatively consistent spatial distribution of water quality during different periods. Water samples of poor water quality were mainly distributed in the lower reaches of the Huangshui River. In addition, total hardness and NO₃^- concentrations were the main variables affecting the quality of GW in the NSP. The assessment of the risk NO₃^- in GW in the NSP to human health through the ingestion of drinking water demonstrated a significant risk (infants > children > adults). These results indicate the need for local management measures to reduce the potential health risks of GW quality in the NSP.

Keywords: Groundwater; Health risk assessment; Hydrochemical characteristics; Nitrate; Northern Shandong Peninsula; Water quality.

MeSH terms

Adult
Child
China
Environmental Monitoring
Groundwater*
Humans
Infant
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis
Water Quality

Substances

Water Pollutants, Chemical