Chemical characteristics of groundwater and source identification in a coastal city

A coastal city is studied in this paper. Based on 42 groundwater sampling points, a Piper diagram, the Shukarev classification, the Pearson correlation analysis, Gibbs plots and the ion proportional coefficient method are used to analyze the chemical characteristics and material source. The results show that the groundwater quality in the study area varies greatly from north to south. In the northern inland area (AREA I), the main anions and cations are HCO3- and Ca2+ , and the hydrochemical characteristics are mainly HCO3 - Ca, HCO3 center dot SO4 - Ca and HCO3 - Mg. The ion concentration distribution is uniform, and the groundwater quality is good. By using Gibbs plots and the ion proportional coefficient method, the main source of ions is the dissolution of potassium feldspar, albite and carbonate rock. In contrast, in the southern coastal area (AREA II), the main anions and cations are Cl- and Na+, and the hydrochemical characteristics are mainly Cl- Na. The ion concentration distribution presents a strong spatial difference. The closer the groundwater sampling point is to seawater, the worse the overall groundwater quality. Evaporite dissolution, seawater intrusion, cation exchange effects and human activities are the main factors affecting the groundwater quality in this area. In conclusion, the groundwater quality in northern inland area (AREA I) is better, mainly controlled by the dissolution of rocks. The groundwater quality in southern coastal area (AREA II) changes greatly, mainly controlled by seawater.

Automated summary

This paper investigates the groundwater quality and chemical characteristics of a coastal city, finding significant variations in groundwater quality between the northern inland area and the southern coastal area, influenced by different factors.