Hydrochemical assessment of groundwater from shallow aquifers in parts of Wadi Al Hamad,Madinah, Saudi Arabia

The present study was carried out in the Mulaylih area which forms a part of Wadi Al Hamad in the Madinah Province of Saudi Arabia. Thirty groundwater samples from agricultural farms were collected and analyzed for various physio-chemical parameters including trace elements. The area is occupied by the Quaternary alluvium deposits which form shallow unconfined aquifers. Evaporation and ion exchange are the major processes which control the major ion chemistry of the area. The extreme aridity has results in high total dissolved solid values (average of 9793.47 mg/l). Trace element concentrations are low and are mainly attributed to geogenic sources (silicate weathering). Na-Cl groundwater type is the main hydrochemical facies found in the area. The waters are found to be oversaturated with calcite/aragonite and dolomite. The average nitrate concentration was found to be 134.10 mg/l and is much higher than the WHO recommended limit of 50 mg/l in drinking water. Their high values are mainly associated with the application of N-fertilizers on the agricultural farms. The average fluoride concentration in the study was found to be 1.54 mg/l. The relation between F and Cl and Cl and Na reveals that the fluoride concentrations are mainly attributed to geogenic sources. A comparison of the groundwater quality with the Saudi drinking water standards shows that the water is unfit for drinking. The high salinity and sodicity of the groundwater make it unfit for irrigation. Principal component analysis resulted in extraction of four principal components accounting for 79.5% of the total data variability and supports the fact that the natural hydrochemical processes (evaporation and ion exchange) control the overall groundwater chemistry.     

Characterisation, classification, and evaluation of some groundwater samples in the Mostaganem area of northwestern Algeria

Mostaganem City, located in the northwestern part of Algeria, has grown and has been urbanized rapidly. The city and surrounding areas depend heavily on groundwater as a resource for drinking water, as well as domestic, industrial, and agricultural uses. Understanding the groundwater chemistry provides insight into the interactions of water with the environment and contributes to better resource management. In total, 12 groundwater samples from wells in Mostaganem City have been analyzed for major physical–chemical elements and metals. The results show that the waters have pH values ranging between 7.1 and 8.1, salinity between 226 and 1,073 mg/L, and nitrate concentrations between 15 and 47.7 mg/L. The high concentration of nitrates is explained by the utilization of chemical fertilizers in agriculture. Almost all samples are of type Na–SO₄ and Na–HCO₃, and the trace metal concentrations are within the admissible standard ranges. We conclude that the groundwater in Mostaganem may safely be used for drinking, domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes.     

Hydrochemical classification and multivariate statistical analysis of groundwater from Wadi Sahba area in central Saudi Arabia

The central region of Saudi Arabia is underlain by thick sedimentary formations belonging to the Mesozoic and Cenozoic era. These sedimentary formations form a prolific aquifer supplying groundwater for agricultural and domestic usage in and around Riyadh. The region south of Riyadh City is well known for agricultural activities. Wadi Sahba, which is an eastward extension of Wadi Nisah, has readily available groundwater resources in the Cretaceous Biyadh sandstone aquifer to sustain agricultural activities. The objective of the present study was the hydrochemical assessment of groundwater in the area to understand the main hydrological processes which influence groundwater chemistry. To achieve this objective, 20 groundwater samples were collected from agricultural farms in the Wadi Sahba in central Saudi Arabia, and the major physiochemical constituents were analyzed and interpreted. The average TDS value of the analyzed samples is 1578.05 mg/l, whereas the average EC concentration is 3220.05 μS/cm. Groundwater facies classification inferred from the Piper plot shows that groundwater in the study area belongs to the Ca-SO₄-Cl type and Ca-Na-SO₄-Cl type. The Ca-SO₄-Cl type of groundwater facies is influenced mainly by gypsum dissolution and base ion exchange, whereas the Ca-Na-SO₄-Cl type is influenced by gypsum and halite dissolution. All the groundwater samples are undersaturated with respect to these two principal mineral phases. The Q-mode cluster analysis results in two main groups of groundwater samples, mainly based on the TDS content. Cluster 1 has an average TDS value of 1980 mg/l, whereas cluster 2 has an average TDS of 1176 mg/l. The groundwater facies identified through the Piper plot reflects the major hydrological processes controlling groundwater chemistry in the area and was found to be more useful in this study as compared to cluster analysis.     

Impacts of wastewater irrigation in arid and semi arid regions: case of Sidi Abid region,Tunisia

Impacts of irrigation with treated wastewater effluents on soils and groundwater aquifer in the vicinity of Sidi Abid Region (Tunisia) are evaluated. The groundwater aquifer was monitored by several piezometers, where monthly water levels were registered and groundwater salinity was evaluated. This resulted in characterizing the spatial and temporal evolution of the hydrochemical and hydrodynamic properties of the aquifer, showing thereby the impact of artificial recharge. Piezometric maps for pre-recharge and post-recharge situations were developed and a comparison study of both piezometric situations was considered. The piezometric evolution map showed a generalized rise of the piezometric level in the vicinity of the irrigation zone. The extent of recharge was shown to increase with time as the groundwater level increase, which was localized in the vicinity of the irrigation area, reached more extended zones. Several groundwater samples were withdrawn from wells and piezometers and analyzed. Examining the corresponding physical and chemical parameters showed an increase in the concentrations of nutrients (28 mg/l for NO₃ and 3.97 mg/l for NH₄) in the groundwater aquifer below the irrigation zone, which confirms again the infiltration of treated wastewater effluents. The evolution of soil salinity was examined through chemical analysis of soil samples. Electric conductivities of soils were generally shown to be less than 4 mS/cm while the irrigation water has an electric conductivity that may reach 6.63 mS/cm. This might be explained by the phenomenon of dilution and the capacity of soils to evacuate salts downward.     

Characterization, classification, bacteriological, and evaluation of groundwater from 24 wells in six departments of Algeria

This is a conducted study of the physicochemical and the bacteriological characteristics of groundwater from 24 wells in the six departments of Algeria: Mostaganem, Mecheria, Naama, Tiaret, Bechar, and Adrar. The six departments and surrounding areas depend heavily on water from wells as a resource for drinking water, as well as domestic, industrial, and agricultural uses. Understanding the groundwater chemistry provides insight into the interactions of water with the environment and contributes to better resource management. In total, 24 water samples from wells have been analyzed for major physical–chemical elements and metals. The results show that the water have pH values ranging between 7.1 and 8.2, salinity between 213 and 1,273 mg/L, and nitrate concentrations between 30 and 48.7 mg/L. The high concentration of nitrates is explained by the utilization of chemical fertilizers in agriculture. Almost all the samples are of type Na–SO₄ and Na–HCO₃, and the trace metal concentrations are within the admissible standard ranges. The bacteriological analysis of 24 samples analyzed showed that nine samples (nos. 3, 5, 8, 12, 14, 16, 17, 22, and 23) are contaminated. We conclude that the groundwater samples may safely be used for drinking, domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes with the exception of the following samples: nos. 3, 5, 8, 12, 14, 16, 17, 22, and 23.     

A diagnosis of groundwater quality from a semiarid region in Rajasthan,India

A diagnosis of the groundwater quality of 70 wells sampled during two climatic regimes (dry and raining seasons) from a semiarid area in Rajasthan, India, had been carried out using standard methods. Analysis of the results for various hydrochemical parameters wherein the geological units are alluvium, quartzite and granite gneisses showed that all the parameters did not fall within the World Health Organisation’s acceptable limits for irrigation and drinking water purposes. The order of major cations and anions obtained during the dry and raining seasons are Na⁺ ? Mg²⁺ ? Ca²⁺ ? K⁺ and Cl^?? HCO₃ ^? ? SO₄ ^2?? CO₃ ^?> F^? ? NO₃ ^?, respectively. A maximum value of nitrate of 491.6 mg/l has been examined and its contamination is due to discriminated highly impacted groundwater samples by agricultural activity and small-scale urbanization. Fluoride (F^?) concentration is 6.50 mg/l as a maximum value, whereas values in about 26 % of the samples are more than the permissible limit (1.5 mg/l) for drinking water. The cumulative probability distributions of the selected ions show two individual intersection points with three diverse segments, considered as regional threshold values and highly impacted threshold values for differentiating the samples with the effects of geogenic, anthropogenic and saline water mixing. The first threshold values indicate the background hydrochemical constituents in the study area. The second threshold value of 732 mg/l for bicarbonate indicates that sandy aquifer is being dissolved during wet period, whereas NO₃ ^? concentration of more than the initial threshold value (=75 mg/l) indicates discriminated highly impacted groundwater samples by agricultural activity and urbanization in dry season. Various parameters such as soluble sodium percentage (SSP), salinity (electrical conductivity (EC)), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), Kelley’s ratio (KR), permeability index (PI), residual sodium bicarbonate (RSB) and magnesium absorption ratio (MAR) for the well samples show that, overall, 46 % of groundwater samples are not suitable for irrigation. Further, chloro-alkaline indices (CAIs) were used for distinguishing regional recharge and discharge zones whereas corrosivity ratio (CR) utilized for demarcating areas to use metallic pipes for groundwater supply. In general, groundwater quality is mainly controlled by the chemical weathering of rock-forming minerals. The information obtained represents a base for future work that will help to assess the groundwater condition for periodical monitoring and managing the groundwater from further degradation.     

Evaluation of trace element contents in groundwater in Abakaliki metropolis and around the abandoned mine sites in the southern part, Southeastern Nigeria

This study aimed at determining the concentrations of trace elements in the groundwater of Abakaliki urban and some abandoned mine sites in the Southern part. Sixteen trace elements were analyzed for each of the twenty water samples collected. Laboratory results showed that the concentration of manganese varied from 4.816 to 11.238 ppm, zinc from 0.126 to 1.403 ppm, copper from 0.198 to 0.967 ppm, lead from 0.005 to 0.010 ppm, arsenic from 0.001 to 0.009 ppm, chromium from 0.009 to 0.025 mg/l, cadmium from 0.003 to 0.011 mg/l, mercury from 0.001 to 0.005 mg/l, nickel from 0.008 to 0.032 mg/l, selenium from 0.001 to 0.011 ppm, iodine from 0.013 to 0.050 ppm, uranium from 0.001 to 0.006 ppm, platinum from 0.009 to 0.032 ppm, tin from 0.014 to 0.015 ppm, lithium from 0.009 to 0.024 mg/l, cobalt from 0.015 to 0.036 mg/l, and iron from 0.010 to 0.980 ppm. These results were analyzed statistically and their distribution modeled using a software package. The results were also compared with world standards for potable water. The comparison showed that water samples are contaminated with trace elements and particularly polluted with, Mn, Hg, and Cd with average concentration values of 8.43, 0.002, and 0.005 mg/l, all above the World Health Organization standard limits of 0.005, 0.001 and 0.003 mg/l, respectively. Concentrations of Fe, Zn, and Ni are above the permissible limits of 0.30, 0.01, and 0.02 mg/l, respectively, in some places. Health hazards like metal poisoning which can result from pollution of this nature cannot be ruled out. Controlling processes such as chemical dissolutions, mechanical weathering and pollution from urban sewage, release the trace elements to the soil system while chemical dilution, otherwise called leaching, streamlines the trace element plumes to the groundwater regime with dispersion processes mixing and spreading the plume. Dispersion trends of the elements show point sources from the southern part, indicating presence of ore deposits, most likely sulfide ores as interpreted from correlation matrix.     

The study of environmental effects of chemical fertilizers and domestic sewage on water quality of Taft region, Central Iran

One of the important indicators to show the quality of water for drinking and irrigation is nitrate values in water and soil. Nitrate enters surface water and groundwater through degradation and decomposition of human and animal wastes, industrial productions, and agricultural runoff. The present paper focuses on the concentration of nitrite (NO₂ ^?1) and nitrate (NO₃ ^?1) of the groundwater in Taft region, Central Iran. Sixty-one samples of the region’s aqueducts, wells, and springs were collected in September 2008 and May 2009 and analyzed by ICP-MS method. However, distribution maps of nitrate and nitrite and their frequency diagram in the pertinent samples have been generated. Then, they were compared to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and WHO international standards. The mean of nitrate content measured in the samples was 18.52 mg/l, maximum was 115 mg/l which is higher than the EPA standard (i.e., 10 mg/l), and the mean of nitrite content was about 0.06 mg/l. According to the distribution maps, concentration of these anions is high in the downstream of settlements and farmlands of Taft region. With respect to the penetration of agricultural wastes, flooding irrigation, thin layer of alluvium, sandy texture, and the amount of fertilizer consumed in the region, and also absence of any natural source for these anions and absence of the major industrial activities in the region to produce sewage, it seems that nitrate and nitrite originated from the agricultural sewage and human waste. As the content of nitrate in drinking water in the region is higher than WHO and EPA standards, so there is the risk of methemoglobinemia disease in infants. In addition, nitrate content within the stomach and lungs interacts with amine and nitrosamines are made up which are potentially the initial cause of all cancers in human.     

Soil and groundwater quality with reference to nitrate in a semiarid agricultural region

Nitrate is a common pollutant in surface water and groundwater of agricultural areas. It is essential to monitor this pollutant in groundwater, especially when it is used for drinking purposes without treatment. The present study was carried out in an intensively irrigated area which forms a part of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India where groundwater meets all the water needs of the rural population living in this area. The objective was to assess the spatiotemporal variation in the concentration of nitrate in groundwater and soil. Based on the analysis of 496 groundwater samples collected from 45 wells over a period of 2 years from March 2008 to January 2010 by sampling every 2 months, it was observed that groundwater in 242 km² of the total 724 km² area had nitrate above the maximum permissible limit of 45 mg/l for drinking purposes. Nitrate concentration in groundwater showed a positive relation with potassium, chloride, and sulfate, indicating their source from fertilizers. Reasons for the high concentration of nitrate in domestic areas were the dumping of animal wastes and leakage from septic tanks. The pH of the soil samples showed that most of the area had basic soil. Apart from pH, organic carbon, available phosphorous, available potassium, ammoniacal nitrogen, and nitrate nitrogen were also analyzed in the 97 soil samples.     

Hydrogeochemical investigation in an arid region of Iran (Tabas, Central Iran)

Groundwater is the most important source of water supply in Iran and understanding the geochemical evolution of groundwater is important for sustainable development of the water resources in Tabas area. A total of 29 samples of groundwater in Tabas area have been analyzed for ions and major elements. Groundwater of the study area is characterized by the dominance of Na–Cl water type. Groundwater was generally acidic to high alkaline with pH ranging from 5.42 to 10.75. The TDS as a function of mineralization characteristics of the groundwater ranged from 479 to 10,957 mg/l, with a mean value of 2,759 mg/l. The Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, SO₄ ^2? and HCO₃ ^? were mainly derived from the dissolution of calcite, dolomite and gypsum. The Cu, Pb and Zn ions are not mobile in recent pH–Eh, but these conditions controlled dissolved Se, V and Mo in groundwater. The As is released in groundwater as a result of the weathering of sulfide minerals like arsenopyrite.     

Hydrogeochemical characteristics of surface water (SW) and groundwater (GW) of the Chinnaeru River basin,northern part of Nalgonda District,Andhra Pradesh,India

Groundwater and surface water samples from 47 locations (28 groundwater, 10 tanks and 9 stream channel) were collected during the pre-monsoon (May–June) and post-monsoon season (November) from Chinnaeru River basin. Chinnaeru River basin is situated 30 km east of Hyderabad City and its area covers 250 km² and falls in the Survey of India Toposheet No. 56 K/15. The extensive agricultural, industrial and urbanization activities resulted in the contamination of the aquifer. To study the contamination of groundwater, water samples were collected from an area and analyzed for major cations and anions. Various widely accepted methods such as salinity, sodium absorption ratio, Kelly’s ratio, residual sodium carbonate, soluble sodium percentage, permeability index and water quality index are used to classify groundwater and surface water (tank and stream) for drinking as well as irrigation purposes. Besides this, Piper trilinear diagram, Wilcox diagram, Doneen’s classification and Gibb’s plot were studied for geochemical controls, and hydrogeochemistry of groundwater and surface water samples were studied.     

Hydrochemical and isotopic investigation of groundwater of Al-Batin alluvial fan aquifer,Southern Iraq

Major ions and important trace elements in addition to δ¹⁸O and δ²H were analysed for 43 groundwater samples sampled from the Al-Batin alluvial fan aquifer, South Iraq. The most dominant ions (with respect to molarity) were: Na⁺ > Cl^? > SO₄ ^2? > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > NO₃ ^? > HCO₃ ^?, with total dissolved solids (TDS) averaging 7855 mg/L. High concentrations were found for the trace elements U, Mo, V, B, Sr, and Cr. This study suggests a hydraulic connection exists near the fan apex between the uppermost part of the Al-Batin aquifer and the underlying Dammam aquifer by means of the Abu-Jir fault system. Except for the effects of extensive irrigation, fertilizer use, and poorly maintained sewers, the groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by geological processes such as dissolution of evaporites and the enrichment of dissolved ions as a result of the high evaporation and low recharge rate. Furthermore, it is shown that the Kuwaiti fuel–oil burning during Gulf War in 1991 contributed to the enrichment of V and Mo in the studied aquifer. The spatial distribution of most ions appears to generally increase from the south-west towards the north-east, in the direction of groundwater flow. The stable isotopes show heavier values in groundwater with a gradually increasing trend in the direction of groundwater flow due to the decreasing depth to groundwater and thus increasing of evaporation from both groundwater or irrigation return water. Additionally, the stable isotope signature suggests that rainfall from sources in the Arabian Gulf and the Arabian Sea is the major source of recharge for the Al-Batin aquifer. Except for two samples of groundwater, all samples were not suitable for potable use according to the WHO standards. Most of the groundwater is suitable for some agricultural purpose and for livestock water supply. Apart from the high salinity, boron represents the most critical element in the groundwater with respect to agricultural purposes.     

Hydrochemistry in coastal aquifer of southwest Bangladesh: origin of salinity

In the coastal region of Bangladesh, groundwater is mainly used for domestic and agricultural purposes, but salinization of many groundwater resources limits its suitability for human consumption and practical application. This paper reports the results of a study that has mapped the salinity distribution in different aquifer layers up to a depth of 300 m in a region bordering the Bay of Bengal based on the main hydrochemistry and has investigated the origin of the salinity using Cl/Br ratios of the samples. The subsurface consists of a sequence of deltaic sediments with an alternation of more sandy and clayey sections in which several aquifer layers can be recognized. The main hydrochemistry shows different main water types in the different aquifers, indicating varying stages of freshening or salinization processes. The most freshwater, soft NaHCO₃-type water with Cl concentrations mostly below 100 mg/l, is found in the deepest aquifer at 200–300 m below ground level (b.g.l.), in which the fresh/saltwater interface is pushed far to the south. Salinity is a main problem in the shallow aquifer systems, where Cl concentrations rise to nearly 8000 mg/l and the groundwater is mostly brackish NaCl water. Investigation of the Cl/Br ratios has shown that the source of the salinity in the deep aquifer is mixing with old connate seawater and that the saline waters in the more shallow aquifers do not originate from old connate water or direct seawater intrusion, but are derived from the dissolution of evaporite salts. These must have been formed in a tidal flat under influence of a strong seasonal precipitation pattern. Long dry seasons with high evaporation rates have evaporated seawater from inundated gullies and depressions, leading to salt precipitation, while subsequent heavy monsoon rains have dissolved the formed salts, and the solution has infiltrated in the subsoil, recharging groundwater.     

Hydrogeophysical investigations on the Pleistocene aquifer,Kom Hamada area,West Nile Delta,Egypt

Hydrogeophysical investigations of the Pleistocene aquifer at the Kom Hamada area, Egypt, have been conducted to determine the characteristics of groundwater. The main water-bearing formations in the study area are composed of Quaternary deposits. Water samples were taken and chemically analyzed at 29 sites. The constructed iso-salinity contour map of the study area showed an increase in salinity from 451.75 mg/l at eastern parts to 1,091.85 mg/l at western parts. The groundwater of the study area showed a hydrochemical evolution from Ca–HCO₃ at the eastern side to Na–Cl at the western side. Some of groundwater constituents have high concentration values exceeding the safe limit for drinking. Eighteen vertical electrical soundings (VES) were conducted in the study area. These soundings were conducted near existing wells to obtain layer parameters of the various penetrated layers and to calculate the petrophysical characteristics of the aquifers. The resistivity of the first water-bearing layer ranges between 34 and 47 Ω m. The thickness of this layer ranges between 26 and 79 m. This layer represents the first aquifer, where it is followed by another water-bearing layer with resistivity ranges between 29 and 62 Ω m and extends downward. The two aquifers are hydraulically connected. Variation of the resistivities of these two water-bearing layers is mainly due to the lithological variation. The resistivity values along with the TDS values of the two water-bearing layers indicate fresh to brackish water types.     

Variations in groundwater levels and quality due to agricultural over-exploitation in an arid environment: the phreatic aquifer of the Souf oasis (Algerian Sahara)

Groundwater is a major source of supply for domestic and agricultural purposes, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. In this study, we followed the variations in water levels in the Souf oasis in the Algerian Sahara by measuring depths to groundwater across 65 points during the period from 2010 to 2015. Additionally, electrical conductivity (EC) was measured for assessing variations in groundwater salinity in the same groundwater monitoring network over the same time interval. The results from these investigations indicated that there are significant and continuous declines in the groundwater level across all study areas throughout the period of investigation. This is especially the case in the northern part of the study area where the water table declined by up to 18.2 m in Ghamra in 2015. Additionally, this study has indicated that the rate of decline of groundwater levels has increased from 0.29 m/year as an average in 2011 to 2.37 m/year in 2015, where the situation has become alarming. As a consequence of this, the depth to groundwater now exceeds 2 m over more than 77% of the study area, and only about 17% of the study area now has a water table depth that lies within the optimal depth interval for extractive uses (between 1 and 2 m). This decline in groundwater levels has been accompanied by a significant increase in the electrical conductivity values (salinity) of this water, and there is a strong correlation between these variables (R > 0.99). This alarming situation has been caused by the continuous over-exploitation and unsustainable management of this limited resource, especially by the agricultural sector. For a long time, this critical situation led to the demise of the agricultural world heritage cultivation system (Ghout) due to the increasing salinity of groundwater. Two solutions are proposed to manage the effects of groundwater depletion in the area: firstly, rationalizing groundwater use through effective groundwater allocation management measures, and secondly by implementing the reuse of treated wastewater as an alternative water source for agricultural use. This latter measure could be in two ways: either by direct use in irrigation to relieve pressure on the phreatic aquifer, or by artificial recharge of the phreatic aquifer.     

Assessment of trace element contamination in soils around Chinnaeru River Basin, Nalgonda District, India

Concentrations of trace elements such as As, Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sr, V, Y, Zn and Zr were studied in soils to understand metal contamination due to agriculture and geogenic activities in Chinnaeru River Basin, Nalgonda District, India. This area is affected by the geogenic fluoride contamination. The contamination of the soils was assessed on the basis of geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor and degree of contamination. Forty-four soil samples were collected from the agricultural field from the study area from top 10–50 cm layer of soil. Soil samples were analyzed for trace elements using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. Data revealed that soils in the study area are significantly contaminated, showing high level of toxic elements than normal distribution. The ranges of concentration of Ba (370–1,710 mg/kg), Cr (8.7–543 mg/kg), Cu (7.7–96.6 mg/kg), Ni (5.4–168 mg/kg), Rb (29.6–223 mg/kg), Sr (134–438 mg/kg), Zr (141.2–8,232 mg/kg) and Zn (29–478 mg/kg). The concentration of other elements was similar to the levels in the earth’s crust or pointed to metal depletion in the soil (EF < 1). The high EFs for some trace elements obtained in soil samples show that there is a considerable heavy metal pollution, which could be due to excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides used for agricultural or may be due to natural geogenic processes in the area. Comparative study has been made with other soil-polluted heavy metal areas and its mobility in soil and groundwater has been discussed. A contamination site poses significant environmental hazards for terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They are important sources of pollution and may result in ecotoxicological effects on terrestrial, groundwater and aquatic ecosystems.     

Hydrochemistry of groundwater in a coastal region of Cuddalore district, Tamilnadu, India: implication for quality assessment

A hydrogeochemical investigation was conducted in a coastal region of Cuddalore district to identify the influence of saltwater intrusion and suitability of groundwater for domestic and agricultural purposes. The geology of the study area comprises of sandstone, clay, alluvium, and laterite soils of Tertiary and Quaternary age. A total of 18 groundwater samples were analyzed for 14 different water quality parameters and the result indicates higher concentrations of ions like Cl (3,509 mg/l), Na (3,123 mg/l), and HCO₃ (998 mg/l) when compared with WHO, BIS, and ISI standards. A positive correlation (r ²?=?0.82) was observed between Na and Cl, indicating its sources from salt water intrusion. Three factors were extracted with a total variance of 64% which indicates the sources of salinization, cation exchange, and anthropogenic impact to the groundwater. The Piper trilinear diagram indicates both Na–Cl and mixed Na–HCO₃–Cl-type, indicating that groundwater was strongly affected by anthropogenic activities. The plot of (Ca?+?Mg)/(K?+?Na) indicates evidences of cation exchange and salt water intrusion. The (Ca–0.33*HCO₃)/ SO₄ plot indicates salt water intrusion for elevated SO₄ levels rather than gypsum dissolution. The spatial distribution of total dissolved solid indicates the saline water encroachment along the SW part of the study area. As per sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), 50% of the samples with <10 SAR are suitable for irrigation and >10 SAR indicates that water is unsuitable for irrigation purposes. The residual sodium carbonate classification indicates that 50% of the samples fall in safe and 50% of the samples fall in bad zones and prolonged usage of this water will affect the crop yield. The Chloro Alkaline Index of water indicates disequilibrium due to a higher ratio of Cl?>?Na–K, indicating the influence of salt water intrusion. The Permeability Index of the groundwater indicates that the groundwater from the study area is moderate to good for irrigation purposes.     

Assessment of groundwater salinity using GIS and multivariate statistics in a coastal Mediterranean aquifer

The integration of the statistical approaches and GIS tools with the hydrogeological and geological contexts allowed the assessment of the processes that cause groundwater quality deterioration in the great important deltaic aquifer in the northeastern Tunisia (Medjerda Lower Valley Aquifer). The spatial variation of the groundwater parameters and the molar ratio (Cl^?/Br^?) were also used to determine the possible impacts from seawater intrusion and from the septic tank leachate. Sixty shallow groundwater samples were collected in 2014 and analyzed for major and trace ions over an area of about 1090 km² to determine the suitability for drinking or agricultural purposes. The total dissolved solids (TDS) content ranges from 1005 to 19,254 mgl^?1 with a mean value of 3477.18 mgl^?1. The chemistry is dominated by the sodium–chloride waters (55%). Mapping of TDS, Cl^?, Na⁺, SO₄^2? and NO₃^? using kriging method shows a clear increase in salinity toward the coastline accompanied by Na⁺ and Cl^? increase which may be related to seawater intrusion and halite dissolution. Locally, higher nitrate concentration is related to the agricultural activities inducing contribution of chemical fertilizers and irrigation with treated wastewater. The saturation indices indicate that all carbonate minerals tend to reach saturation equilibrium confirming water–rock interactions, while evaporitic minerals are still in sub-saturation state and may increase the salinity of the groundwater. The principal component analysis proves the occurrence of groundwater contamination principally by seawater intrusion in the factor I (74.15%) and secondary by an anthropogenic source in the factor II (10.35%).     

Survey of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Jiaxing city, China

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and nitrated PAH (NPAH) products are toxic. Thus, determination of their concentrations is of great interest to researchers of soil and water pollution control. In this work, soil samples, surface water samples, and groundwater samples were collected, and the concentrations of 16 priority PAHs and 15 NPAHs were determined using an HPLC-ultraviolet detector. Results showed that the total PAH concentrations ranged within 489.69–1,670.11 ng/g (average = 905.89 ng/g) in soil samples, 4.00–23.4 μg/l (average = 9.84 μg/l) in surface water samples, and 2.14–22.3 μg/l (average = 8.37 μg/l) in groundwater samples. The NPAH concentrations were one to two orders of magnitude lower than the PAH concentrations and ranged within 22.72–128.70 ng/g (average = 63.88 ng/g) in soil samples. 2-Nitropyrene and 6-nitrochrysene were the most abundant compounds, accounting for about 14.3 and 26.5 %, respectively. Source analysis revealed that most PAHs originated from coal combustion around the study area, whereas NPAH studies suggested that the primary emission of gasoline engines and daytime OH reactions were the dominant sources of these compounds.     

Hydrogeochemical characterization and evolution of a regional karst aquifer in the Cuatrociénegas area,Mexico

The Cuatrociénegas area is useful for the investigation of the effect of groundwater extraction in the Chihuahuan freshwater xeric ecoregion. It has been investigated at this time using a selection of geochemical indicators (major, minor and trace elements) and δ³⁴S data, to characterize the origin of groundwater, the main geochemical processes and the mineral/groundwater interactions controlling the baseline geochemistry. The area is composed of limestones of Mesozoic age, with a composite thickness of about 500 m, overlaid by basin fill (poorly consolidated young sediments). Substantial water extraction and modification of natural discharges from the area along the last century have produced a detrimental impact on ecosystem structure and function. Water–rock interactions, mixing and evaporative processes dominate the baseline groundwater quality. Natural recharge is HCO₃–Ca type in equilibrium with calcite, low salinity (TDS?<?500 mg/L), Cl^? lower than 11 mg/L and average Li⁺ concentration of 0.005 mg/L. Along the groundwater flow systems, δ³⁴S evidence and mass transfer calculations indicate that Cretaceous gypsum dissolution and dedolomitization reactions adjust water composition to the SO₄–Ca type. The increase of water–rock interaction is reflected by Cl^? values increase (average 68 mg/L), TDS up to about 1500 mg/L and an average Li⁺ concentration of 0.063 mg/L. Calculations with chemical geothermometers indicate that temperature at depth could be at maximum of 15–20 °C higher than field-measured temperature for pozas. After groundwater is discharged to the surface, chemical evolution continues; water evaporation, CO₂ degassing and precipitation of minerals such as gypsum, calcite and kaolinite represent the final processes and reactions controlling water chemical composition.