Assessment of groundwater suitability for irrigation in a gold mine surrounding area,NE Iran

The Kouh-e Zar mining area with iron oxide-rich types of Cu–Au (IOCG)-type gold mineralization is located in a fractured zone between two main “Darouneh” and “Taknar” faults in 35 km northwest of Torbat-e Heydarieh. In this study, the hydrogeochemistry and water quality of groundwater were examined for irrigation uses. Totally, 11 groundwater samples were collected in semi-arid area surrounding the mine. According to the irrigation water quality indices such as sodium absorption ratio, sodium percentage, residual sodium carbonate, residual sodium bicarbonate, potential salinity, salinity index, salinity hazard, permeability index and magnesium hazard, the water resources were appraised suitable to unsuitable. Na⁺ was a dominant cation and HCO₃^? was a dominant anion in the water samples. Fortunately, SO₄^2? content is low (<?250 mg/L) in the water samples because of low-sulfide content mineralization in this mine. Water–rock interaction was defined as the controlling process on groundwater chemistry based on the Gibbs diagram. Calculated saturation indices revealed that the anion and cations in groundwater originated from dissolution of minerals and evaporation process. In the case of dominant Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, they were originated by dissolution of carbonate minerals such as calcite, dolomite and aragonite. Na⁺ was likely originated by plagioclase weathering in the brecciated volcanic rocks. Though the sulfidic mineralization is not so high in the Kouh-e Zar area, however, considering the existence of metalogenic mineralization in the Kouh-e Zar area, there is also a risk potential of release of toxic elements into the groundwater on which further deep investigation is ongoing in the area.     

大面积采动矿区水环境灾害特征及防治措施

矿山采动前后,相应伴生水系调整和水体污染,产生水环境灾害。以阜新新邱矿区为研究对象,在对环境地质情况调查分析基础上,主要从水资源流失、废旧地下采场和露天矿坑积水、矿区地表和地下水质污染等方面探讨了矿区水环境灾害的形成及特征。大面积的开采,造成矿区水资源流失严重,矿山停采后,地下水位逐渐恢复;废旧地下采场和露天矿坑形成的积水,在入渗过程中,通过运移累积、吸附转化、溶解解析和离子交换等水岩作用对地下水产生污染;矿区矿井抽排水和河流水质污染物不同程度超标。针对矿山水环境灾害,建议采用矿山地质环境治理、修建防排水及净水设施、水环境监测等手段进行防治,以使矿区环境得到根本改善。     

采煤对浅层地下水环境的影响及矿井水生态利用分析

黄河流域中上游矿区煤?水矛盾突出,煤炭开采对地下水环境造成一定的破坏。基于此,以鄂尔多斯盆地北部侏罗纪煤田榆神府矿区为研究区,在野外调查、数据分析、室内测试的基础上,分析研究区矿井水的量质特征,揭示煤炭高强度开采对地下水环境的影响,并开展矿井水生态利用研究。结果表明:研究区矿井富水系数在0.23~2.28,平均为0.91,评估2020年区内矿井排水量高达4.70亿m3,受采掘活动影响,浅埋煤层开采区地下水位下降趋势明显;区内矿井水出现不同程度的污染组分超标现象,主要超标指标为化学需氧量(COD)、Na+、SO₄ 2?、溶解性总固体(TDS),未处理的矿井水外排将会污染区内地下水环境;研究区浅层地下水超限的水质指标主要为NO₃-N,与矿井水超限水质指标差别较大,反映出浅层地下水水质受采矿活动影响较小;提出矿井水浅层回灌和矿井水生态灌溉2种模式开展研究区矿井水的生态利用,矿井水回灌对矿井水中的溶解性有机碳、色度具有较好的去除效果,回灌后出水满足Ⅲ类地下水限值;浅埋煤矿矿井水具有作为矿区生态修复灌溉用水的较好潜力,中深埋煤矿和深埋煤矿矿井水不适宜作为灌溉用水。研究结果为我国西部煤矿区水资源保护和生态修复提供重要依据。      

矿山尾矿矿物学研究进展

矿山尾矿由于产生大量酸性排水和释放重金属，污染地下水和地表水，破坏生态环境而成为人们关注的焦点。尾矿引起的环境问题是地表条件下，水一气一矿物复杂反应的综合结果。近年来尾矿矿物学的研究已经揭示出尾矿中矿物分解和形成的规律，水一气一矿物反应的机制和影响因素，酸性排水和重金属迁移规律，为尾矿环境危险性评价和尾矿污染防治提供了基础资料和新的思路。     

Hydrogeologic and environmental impact of amjhore pyrite mines,India

Drainage from active and inactive pyrite mines has produced chemical and physical pollution of both ground- and surface water in Amjhore region. In the present case, chemical pollution is caused by exposing pyrite minerals to oxidation or leaching, resulting in undesirable concentrations of dissolved materials. Pyrite mining suddenly exposed large quantities of sulfides to direct contact with oxygen, and oxidation proceeds rapidly, resulting in acidity and release of metal (Fe) and sulfates to the water system, eventually resulting in water pollution in the region. The magnitude and impact of the problem is just being recognized and, as the present and the future projected demand for clean water is of top priority, the present studies were undertaken.Mine drainage includes water flowing from the surface and underground mines and runoff or seepage from the pyrite mines. This article describes the various hydrologic factors that control acid water formation and its transport. The mine drainage is obviously a continuing source of pollution and, therefore, remedial measures mainly consisting of a double-stage limestone-lime treatment technique have been suggested. The present results will be used to develop an alternative and more effective abatement technology to mitigate acid production at the source, namely, the technique of revegetation of the soil cover applied to the waste mine dump material.Water quality change is discussed in detail, with emphasis on acidity formed from exposed pyrite material and on increase in dissolved solids. Preventive and treatment measures are recommended.     

招远金矿区水体中硫同位素特征及其对污染来源的指示

稳定同位素因其指纹效应已成为分析矿区污染来源的重要技术手段。文章以招远金矿区为例,应用硫同位素联合水化学分析、聚类分析及氢氧同位素分析招远金矿区水污染特征和成因。通过分析可知,矿区内地表水和地下水主要接受大气降水补给,水力联系密切。水化学类型以SO₄—Ca和SO₄—Na型为主,阴离子以SO₄2-为主,地表水和地下水的NO₃-和Cl-在空间上变异性较大。地表水硫酸盐含量普遍偏高,硫酸盐污染较为严重,高值区出现在玲珑金矿、金翅岭金矿和张星镇附近;而地下水高值区都出现在玲珑金矿附近,且SO₄2-浓度沿着径流方向逐渐降低。地表水中硫酸盐δ34S值介于1.8‰~9.8‰,地下水中硫酸盐δ34S值介于2.7‰~9.6‰,地表水和地下水硫酸盐含量受玲珑金矿硫化、玲珑花岗岩和胶东岩群影响明显。在地下水径流途中,有地表水入渗污染地下水的现象。另外,工业废水的排放也是硫酸盐含量升高的主要原因。研究表明:硫同位素在金矿区硫酸盐污染的来源和特征方面有很好的指示作用,是评价矿山开采对地下水污染的有效工具。     

Hydrogeochemistry of mine, surface and groundwaters from the Sanggok mine creek in the upper Chungju Lake, Republic of Korea

 The Sanggok mine used to be one of the largest lead-zinc mines in the Hwanggangri mining district, Republic of Korea. The present study characterizes the heavy metal contamination in the abandoned Sanggok mine creek on the basis of physico-chemical properties of various kinds of water samples (mine, surface and groundwater). Hydrochemistry of the water samples is characterized by the relatively significant enrichment of Ca²⁺, HCO₃ ^–, NO₃ ^– and Cl^– in the surface and groundwaters, whereas the mine water is relatively enriched in Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, heavy metals, and HCO₃ ^– and SO₄ ^2–. The more polluted mine water has a lower pH and higher Eh, conductivity and TDS values. The concentrations of some toxic elements (Al, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Se, Sr, Pb and Zn) are tens to hundreds of times higher in the mine water than in the unpolluted surface and groundwaters. However, most immobile toxic pollutants from the mine drainage were quickly removed from the surface water by the precipitation of Al and Fe oxyhydroxides. Geochemical modeling showed that potentially toxic heavy metals might exist largely in the forms of MSO₄ ^2– and M²⁺ in the mine water. These metals in the surface and groundwaters could form M²⁺, CO₃ ^2– and OH^– complex ions. Computer simulation indicates that the saturation indices of albite, alunite, anhydrite, chlorite, fluorite, gypsum, halloysite and strontianite in the water samples are undersaturated and have progressively evolved toward the saturation condition. However, barite, calcite, chalcedony, dolomite, gibbsite, illite and quartz were in equilibrium, and only clay minerals were supersaturated. Ground and mine waters seemed to be in equilibrium with kaolinite field, but some surface water were in equilibrium with gibbsite and seceded from the stability field of quartz. This indicates that surface water samples in reaction with carbonate rocks would first equilibrate with carbonate minerals, then gibbsite to kaolinite. Investigations on water quality and environmental improvement of the severely polluted Sanggok creek, as well as remediation methods on the possible future pollution of the groundwater by the acid mine drainage from the abandoned metal mines, are urgently required. Received: 4 February 2000 · Accepted: 9 May 2000     

尾矿中硫化物风化氧化模拟实验研究

为防治矿山尾矿造成环境污染，对方铅矿，闪锌矿，磁黄铁矿、黄铜矿，黄铁矿进行了风化氧化实验研究，结果显示，硫化物的氧化速率顺序为：方铅矿＞闪锌矿＞磁黄铁矿＞黄铜矿＞黄铁矿，侵蚀液pH值越低，硫化物氧化速率越大，有机物存在对硫化物氧化起缓冲和抑制作用。     

铜陵矿区主要河流水质分析与污染评价

铜陵矿区是长江下游重要的铜铁资源基地,也是典型的含硫多金属矿区,矿山酸性废水是矿业开发活动不可避免的环境问题,对地表水体有很大影响。本文以铜陵矿区主要河流为研究对象,通过野外调查采样和室内测试分析,从常规理化性质、矿山酸性废水和重金属元素三方面分析了的水质现状,采用单因子指数和内梅罗水质指数法进行了污染评价。结果表明:(1)矿区河流污染成分以有机污染和矿山酸性废水污染为主,其次是重金属污染。(2)在检测的46个河段中, 按综合污染指数大小分级,共计有93.48%的河段受到不同程度的污染,其中,水质严重污染的河段占 4.35%,水质重污染的河段占13.04%,水质污染的河段占 65.22%,水质轻污染的河段占10.87%;共计有6.52%的河段水质较好,均为清洁状态。(3)3条河流按污染程度大小依次为新桥河>顺安河>红星河,除顺安河外,其他均受到了矿山酸性废水污染。今后应重点关注矿山酸性废水的污染机理与风险评估,加强矿区水环境保护与恢复治理工作。     

我国煤矿区矿井水污染问题及防控技术体系构建

煤炭开采必然产生大量的矿井涌水,我国目前的矿井水整体上表现出水质相对较差、水处理成本较高等问题。首先明确了我国典型矿区矿井水水质的主体特征:常规离子是造成矿井水水质差的主要化学组分;矿井水中有毒有害物质占比小,且基本优于地下水Ⅲ类水质量标准。其次,详细探讨了我国矿井水水质形成、演化的几个科学问题,包括不同水文地质结构下物理–化学作用所起的主导作用,时间效应对水质演化的影响,微生物群落结构特征及其与环境因素的相关关系,水动力场–化学场–微生物场–温度场的多场耦合问题等。接着重点介绍矿井水污染防控的技术方法,以减少矿井突(涌)水量和水资源保护为前提,以实现煤–水双资源协调开采、煤炭绿色开采为目标,以矿井水“阻断、减量、保护”为主要防控思路,围绕煤矿区矿井水阻断技术、污染负荷减量技术、污染区修复治理等科学问题展开分析;通过各种现有技术、方法、工艺,最大可能地降低吨煤矿井水处理成本,如采用井下预处理、地面深度处理、超深回灌封贮、生态资源化利用等。最后,提出研发煤矿区地下水及污染物的阻断材料和吸附材料、注浆装备、监测设备、投料设备、原位取样检测设备等,形成我国煤矿区矿井水污染防控技术体系。该技术体系的构建可对煤矿绿色开采、煤矿区深层地下水污染防控、闭坑矿井水污染防控、矿区地下水资源及生态环境保护利用等提供理论及技术支撑。      

淄博市洪山、寨里煤矿地下水串层污染形成原因及防治

淄博市洪山、寨里煤矿区隐伏的奥陶系灰岩裂隙岩溶水污染严重。水质污染突发于矿坑全面闭坑以后，污染范围与矿坑水区一致，地下水污染组份与矿坑水的高含量组份相同。水质恶化主要由矿坑水串层污染所致。在此针对串层污染形成原因及影响因素，提出了防治对策。     

内蒙古某矿矿井水重金属污染特征及来源分析

确定矿井水中重金属污染程度及主要来源,对矿井水的再利用及矿区生态环境保护具有重要的理论意义。以内蒙古某矿区为研究对象,采集地表水、第四系潜水、承压水及矿井水水样49组,检测水体中Zn、Pb、Fe、Mn、As、Cu、Cd、Cr、Hg、Se 10种重金属浓度,分析矿井水中重金属污染特征及超标情况,利用HPI模型定量评价重金属污染程度,并综合数理统计、不同类型水样重金属浓度箱形图及煤/顶板重金属浸出试验,分析矿井水重金属主要来源。结果表明:内蒙古某矿矿井水中Zn、Pb、Fe、Mn、As 5种重金属浓度值超标,其中Fe和Zn的超标率高达100%;7个矿井水样中6个矿井水的HPI值大于临界值100,矿井水重金属污染程度较高;矿井水中的Pb、As主要来源于采煤及运输机械油类物质泄漏,Mn主要来源于Ⅲ含地下水,Fe、Zn主要来源于Ⅲ含地下水及煤层中含Fe、Zn矿物的溶滤。该结论将为矿井水中重金属污染防治提供基础与依据。      

峰峰煤矿区岩溶地下水流场演化规律

运用大量详实的数据资料,揭示了峰峰矿区近30年岩溶地下水流场的演变规律。反映了煤炭开采排水对地下水流场的影响特征,认为长期的矿井排水与地下水过量开采,是地下水流场发生改变和水位下降的主要因素,建议随着煤层开采水平的不断延深,加大力度解决好各方面存在的问题,建立排水、供水、生态环保三位一体优化结合的模式。     

Environmental assessment of abandoned mine tailings in Adak,Västerbotten district (northern Sweden)

Sulfide-rich mine tailings in Adak that are exposed to weathering cause acid mine drainage characterized by low pH (2–4) and high SO₄ (up to 800 mg L⁻¹). Surface water, sediment and soil samples collected in this study contain higher concentrations of As, Cu, Fe and Zn, compared to the target and/or intervention limits set by international regulatory agencies. In particular, high As concentrations in water (up to 2900 μg L⁻¹) and sediment (up to 900 mg kg⁻¹) are of concern. There is large variability in trace element concentrations, implying that both physical (grain size) and chemical factors (pH, secondary phases as sulfides, Al-oxides or clay minerals) play an important role in their distribution. The low pH keeps the trace elements dissolved, and they are transported farther downstream. Trace element partition coefficients are low (log K_d = 0.3–4.3), and saturation indices calculated with PHREEQC are <0 for common oxide and sulfidic minerals. The sediment and soil samples indicate an enhanced pollution index (up to 17), and high enrichment factors for trace elements (As up to 38,300; Zn up to 800). Finally, leaves collected from different plant types indicate bioaccumulation of several elements (As, Al, Cu, Fe and Zn). However, some of the plants growing in this area (e.g., Salix, Equisétum) are generally resistant to metal toxicity, and hence, liming and phytoremediation could be considered as potential on-site remediation methods.     

Evaluation of hydrogeochemical processes and groundwater quality in the Jhansi district of Bundelkhand region, India

A base line study involving analysis of groundwater samples from the Jhansi district were carried out to determine the major and trace element chemistry and to assess the hydrogeochemical processes and water quality for domestic and irrigation uses. Study results show that groundwater is mildly acidic to alkaline in nature and HCO₃ ^?, Cl^?, Ca²⁺, Na⁺ and Mg²⁺ are the major contributing ions for the dissolved loads. The data plotted on the Gibbs and Piper diagrams reveal that the groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by rock weathering with secondary contribution from anthropogenic sources. In a majority of the groundwater samples, alkaline earth metals exceed alkalies and weak acid dominate over strong acids. Ca–Mg–HCO₃ is the dominant hydrogeochemical facies in the majority of the groundwater samples. The computed saturation indices demonstrate that groundwater is oversaturated with respect to dolomite and calcite. Kaolinite is the possible mineral that is in equilibrium with the water, implying that the groundwater chemistry favors kaolinite formation. A comparison of groundwater quality parameters in relation to specified limits for drinking water shows that the concentrations of TDS, F^?, NO₃ ^?, total hardness and Fe are exceeding the desirable limits in many water samples. Quality assessment for irrigation uses reveal that the groundwater is of good to suitable category. Higher salinity and residual sodium carbonate values at some sites restrict the suitability of groundwater and need an adequate drainage and water management plan for the area.     

宿州矿区浅层地下水污染评价及源解析

宿州矿区由于长期煤炭开采,不仅形成了浅层地下水降落漏斗,而且造成了不同程度的地下水污染,其污染现状及主要形成原因尚不清楚。为此,本文利用研究区水土污染调查获取的21个地下水样品的 {\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}等13项污染指标开展地下水污染源解析工作。在采用改进内梅罗综合污染指数法对研究区浅层地下水环境质量进行评价的基础上,利用因子分析和反距离权重插值方法对研究区浅层地下水进行污染源及空间分布特征解析。研究结果表明:(1)研究区浅层地下水受到了重度污染,以Ⅳ类水为主,污染较严重的指标为 {\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}、Mn、Fe和F^-。(2)研究区浅层地下水主要包括4个污染源:原生地质环境(F1),其高值区分布在桃园煤矿及其周边;矿坑排水和矸石山淋溶作用下形成的矿业废水(F2),其在桃园和钱营孜煤矿及其周边地区污染较为严重,其余矿区也存在一定程度的矿业废水污染;由生活垃圾、人畜排泄物造成的农村污水(F3),其污染地区主要为朱仙庄和芦岭煤矿一带; 由化肥施用引起的农业污染(F4), 其高值区集中在朱仙庄煤矿及其周边区域。地下水水质的主要影响因素是浅层地下水原生地质环境和矿业废水,其中约有51.040%的污染来源于原生地质环境及煤矿矿业污染的混合污染,约有11.841%的污染来自煤矿矿业废水,其余污染主要来源于农村生活和生产污水以及农业面源污染。(3)研究区浅层地下水主要污染区域为桃园和钱营孜煤矿一带,祁南和祁东煤矿污染相对较轻,朱仙庄和芦岭煤矿水质较好。(4)建议对矿区地下水主要污染源及污染途径进行综合防治:加强矿坑排水口的污水达标排放监管力度;煤矿企业采用生产建筑材料等方法提高矸石的综合利用率;进一步加强与矿区污水、垃圾填埋处理等相关的基础设施建设。     

Assessment of contamination load on water,soil and sediment affected by the Kongjujeil mine drainage,Republic of Korea

Environmental pollution in the Kongjujeil mine creek was determined on the basis of physicochemical and mineralogical properties for various kinds of waters, soils, precipitates and sediments collected in August and December 1998. The hydrochemistry of water is characterized by an enrichment in concentrations of Ca ²⁺, Si, alkali ions, NO ₃ ^- and Cl ^- in ground and surface water, where relatively the mine waters are significantly enriched in Ca ²⁺+Mg ²⁺, Al, heavy metals and SO ₄ ^2- concentrations. The mine waters have lower pH (3.24) and higher EC (613 µS/cm) compared with those of ground and surface water. The ranges of dD and d ¹⁸O values (SMOW) in the water are -50.2 to -61.6‰ and -7.0 to -8.6‰. Using a computer code, the saturation indices of albite, calcite and dolomite in the mine water show that it is undersaturated, and has progressively evolved toward the equilibrium state. Ground and surface water are nearly saturated. The gibbsite, kaolinite and smectite are supersaturated in the surface and groundwater. Geochemical modeling shows that mostly toxic metals exist largely in the form of metal sulfates and free metals in mine water. These metals in the surrounding fresh water could be formed of carbonate or hydroxide complex ions. Minerals within the soil and sediment near the mining area were partly variable consisting of quartz, mica, alkali feldspar, plagioclase, chlorite, vermiculite, berthierine and clay minerals. The separated heavy minerals, soil and sediment are composed of some pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, malachite, goethite and various hydroxide minerals. Some potentially toxic elements (As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb and Zn) are found in extremely high concentrations in the surface soils in the vicinity of the mine. The enrichment index of heavy metals in sediment and surface soil of the mine drainage was very severe, while it was not so great in the cultivated soil.     

Environmental impact of the abandoned coal mines on the surface water and the groundwater quality in the south of Bochum,Germany

Surface water and groundwater samples were collected from 20 locations, situated in the vicinity of the abandoned coal mine fields south of Bochum. The main objective of this research is to assess the environmental impacts of these mines on the surface water and groundwater quality as well as to determine the factors controlling these impacts. The water samples were collected from stream sources, groundwater, surface water and engineered channels during April 2011. Physicochemical parameters were measured during fieldwork. Water samples were analysed for major ions and aluminium, iron, manganese, ferrous iron, zinc and hydrogen sulphide. The hydrochemistry of the surface water and the groundwater of this area is characterized by near-neutral to alkaline conditions, represented by predominance of calcium bicarbonate and sometimes calcium sulphate water types. Hence, the surface water and the groundwater quality in this region is significantly affected by abandoned coal mines. These effects resulted from oxidation of iron disulphide minerals that release iron, sulphate and hydrogen. The presence of carbonate-rich materials, which contained within the landfilling materials, has led the releasing of calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate. These materials could be the main source responsible for raising the alkalinity of the affected water. The environmental hazard of the abandoned coal mines in this area is related to the high concentration of Fe especially in the groundwater that possess the highest Fe concentration compared to other water sources: the Fe is 18 times larger than the allowed value in drinking water. Significant spatial variations of the water pollution were noted in this study. For this reason, the environmental hazards of the abandoned coal mines in Germany should be considered at closure of coal mines in the near future. Otherwise, these mines will be sources of environmental threats unless all necessary measures are taken to reduce their impact.     

煤矿酸性“老窑水”低Ca/Mg成因机制

山西省阳泉市山底河煤矿“老窑水”循环系统多年水质监测数据计算结果显示,煤矿酸性“老窑水”的Ca/Mg值普遍偏低,且存在Ca/Mg值随酸化程度的增强（SO₄2?含量增加或pH减小）而减小的规律。针对这一问题,结合研究区的地球化学物源条件,通过室内试验以及野外监测水样的石膏、方解石、白云石矿物饱和指数与pH变化关系,分析煤矿酸性“老窑水”低Ca/Mg值的成因机制。研究表明:区内石炭系－二叠系的煤系地层中碳酸盐岩夹层、分散状态分布的菱镁矿、黄铁矿是“老窑水”中Ca2+、Mg2+、SO₄2?的物质来源;在黄铁矿氧化水解形成的以硫酸根为主导的酸性溶液中（pH为2.0~4.5）,代表硫酸对石膏、方解石、白云石可溶解性的饱和指数排序为石膏>方解石>白云石,受石膏在高浓度硫酸活性降低并发生沉淀、方解石溶解受Ca2+同离子效应抑制和饱和状态的平衡调节的综合影响,使Ca2+相对含量减少,由于MgSO₄溶度积大于CaSO₄,故Mg2+含量未受上述约束（或较低）,脱白云岩化反应可因Ca2+含量随石膏沉淀而继续进行,加之区内有菱镁矿的溶解,使得Mg2+相对含量增加,最终出现了镁矿酸性“老窑水” Ca/Mg值低的结果。Ca/Mg值可作为煤矿酸性“老窑水”的污染特征指标,应用于环境影响评价。      

Hydrogeochemical evaluation of groundwater in the lower Offin basin,Ghana

Alumino-silicate mineral dissolution, cation exchange, reductive dissolution of hematite and goethite, oxidation of pyrite and arsenopyrite are processes that influence groundwater quality in the Offin Basin. The main aim of this study was to characterise groundwater and delineate relevant water–rock interactions that control the evolution of water quality in Offin Basin, a major gold mining area in Ghana. Boreholes, dug wells, springs and mine drainage samples were analysed for major ions, minor and trace elements. Major ion study results show that the groundwater is, principally, Ca–Mg–HCO₃ or Na–Mg–Ca–HCO₃ in character, mildly acidic and low in conductivity. Groundwater acidification is principally due to natural biogeochemical processes. Though acidic, the groundwater has positive acid neutralising potential provided by the dissolution of alumino-silicates and mafic rocks. Trace elements’ loading (except arsenic and iron) of groundwater is generally low. Reductive dissolution of iron minerals in the presence of organic matter is responsible for high-iron concentration in areas underlain by granitoids. Elsewhere pyrite and arsenopyrite oxidation is the plausible process for iron and arsenic mobilisation. Approximately 19 and 46% of the boreholes have arsenic and iron concentrations exceeding the WHO’s (Guidelines for drinking water quality. Final task group meeting. WHO Press, World Health Organization, Geneva, 2004) maximum acceptable limits of 10 μg l⁻¹ and 0.3 mg l⁻¹, for drinking water.