Groundwater quality assessment using integrated geochemical methods,multivariate statistical analysis,and geostatistical technique in shallow coastal aquifer of Terengganu,Malaysia

Extensive agricultural, residential, and industrial activities have increased demand for water supplies, which can lead to groundwater quality degradation. The integration of geochemical methods, multivariate statistical analysis, and geostatistical approaches were carried out on 169 groundwater samples to elucidate the regional factors and processes that influencing the geochemical composition of groundwater in coastal shallow aquifer of Terengganu, Malaysia. Hydrochemical modelling revealed that the abundance of Ca and Mg was contributed by carbonate and silicate weathering while higher HCO₃ and Cl were resulted from reverse ion exchange reaction. Therefore, the dominant hydrogeochemical facies of groundwater was Ca-Mg-HCO₃-Cl type. The influence of salinization resulting from seawater mixing to the groundwater was corroborated by Cl/HCO₃ ratio, which affected around 50.9% of the groundwater samples slightly or moderately. Spatial mapping using ordinary kriging found that the threat of sea water intrusion is more prominent in the major river confluence especially around Terengganu and Marang River in the northeast and Dungun and Kemaman River confluence in southeast of study area. Moreover, factor analyses concluded that salinization, anthropogenic activities, reverse ion exchange, weathering processes, agricultural impact, and seasonal variations were the factors that regulate 63% of the major ion chemistry in study area. Finally, these findings showed the importance of understanding the hydrochemical characteristics for effective utilization, aquifer protection, and prediction of changes to minimize the effects of salinization and reduce human pollution such as agriculture and urbanization. It is essential steps in order to safeguard the utilization of groundwater resources for future generations.     

Integrated geostatistics and GIS techniques for assessing groundwater contamination in Al Arish area, Sinai, Egypt

Sustainable development in El Arish area of North Sinai, Egypt, is retarded by serious environmental problems, where the land-use and land cover of the region is changing over present time. The impact of human activities in the study area is accompanied by the destruction and over-exploitation of the environment. This study applies multivariate statistics (factor and cluster analyses) and GIS techniques to identify both anthropogenic and natural processes affecting the groundwater quality in the Quaternary sands aquifer. The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts on groundwater resources, the potential pollution sources, and to identify the main anthropogenic inputs of both nutrients and trace metal. Since the depth to the water table is shallow especially in the northern part (<4?m), and the aquifer was exposed on the ground surface, it has poor buffering capacity and the pollution risk is very high. Groundwater chemistry in this coastal region has complex contaminant sources, where intensive farming activities and untreated wastes put stress on groundwater quality. Several areal distribution maps were constructed for correlating water quality with possible contributing factors such as location, land-use, and aquifer depth. These maps identified both anthropogenic and natural processes affecting groundwater quality of the studied aquifer. Cluster analysis was used to classify water chemistry and determine the hydrochemical groups, Q-mode dendrogram is interpreted and there are three main clusters. Factor analyses identify the potential contamination sources affecting groundwater hydrochemistry such as: nitrate, sulfate, phosphate and potassium fertilizers, pesticides, sewage pond wastes, and salinization due to circulation of dissolved salts in the irrigation water itself.     

Geochemical characterization of karst groundwater in the cradle of humankind world heritage site,South Africa

The karst of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site plays a major role in the assimilation or carrying of acid mine drainage, sewage effluent return flow and agricultural run-off. Infiltration of contaminated water has altered the chemical composition of the natural waters of the karst system. A multivariate statistical method in combination with conventional geochemical and spatial analysis was applied on groundwater and surface water quality samples to determine the spatial extent of hydrochemical impacts from different anthropogenic sources. The application of hierarchical cluster analysis of the major ions (148 samples) recognised three distinct hydrochemical regimes. Cluster 1 is moderately mineralized, especially with regard to chloride, nitrate and sulphate, cluster 2 has a low mineralization with all elements well within the recommended drinking water limits of South Africa and cluster 3 represents highly mineralized samples taken in the vicinity of decanting mineshafts. The cluster solution is confirmed by a simple mixing model, indicating varying contributions of three identified end members (acid mine drainage, treated sewage effluents and pristine dolomitic groundwater) to the groundwater quality in the catchment. The combination of statistical, geochemical and spatial methods in conjunction with end-member mixing analysis provides a reliable method to understand the processes responsible for the groundwater quality variations and to assist in the identification of anthropogenic impacts.     

济南泉域岩溶水水化学特征及其成因

济南泉域水质逐年变差,查明其污染来源和影响因素,对岩溶水资源开发利用及生态环境保护具有十分重要的意义,而对包含补给径流区的全区岩溶水系统分析尚未见报道.综合运用水化学(Piper三线图、离子比例系数、相关分析)和多元统计(因子分析、聚类分析)方法分析地下水水化学特征,探讨了不同区域水质影响因素及影响强度.因子分析反映了灰岩水岩作用、工业和生活污染、白云岩水岩作用、农牧业和生活污染对水化学组分的影响,贡献率依次为33.1%、28.4%、12.0%和11.8%.分析结果表明:研究区岩溶水水质受水岩作用和人类活动的双重影响;南部补给区、西郊及其以西排泄区水质优良,主要受碳酸盐岩溶解的影响;直接补给径流区部分岩溶水受农牧业和农村生活污染的影响,NO₃-含量较高;东郊排泄区、城区及近郊开采区受工业及城镇生活污染的影响,水质较差,少数地段SO₄2-、NO₃-、TDS和总硬度超标.      

基于多元统计方法的地下水水化学特征分析:以沈阳市李官堡傍河水源地为例

为研究沈阳市李官堡傍河水源地的水化学变化特征与污染来源,在对该水源地开展野外污染调查、水化学样品采集等工作的基础上,结合聚类分析和因子分析两种多元统计分析方法对研究区地下水环境进行系统分析。结果表明:研究区平水期和丰水期的地下水均可划分为Ⅰ、Ⅱ两类具有不同水化学特征的两个区域。Ⅰ区主要分布在浑河沿岸,主要特征为Eh值偏低,pH值偏高,处于还原环境中,NH4+污染主要来源于浑河下渗与农业活动;Ⅱ区主要分布在研究区西北部,主要特征为Eh值偏高,pH值偏低,处于氧化环境中,NO3-污染主要来源于居民日常生活和工业活动等地表污染的垂向入渗。     

Anthropogenic impacts on mineral weathering: A statistical perspective

Correspondence Analysis was adopted as tool for investigating the statistical structure of hydrochemical and weathering datasets of groundwater samples, with the main purpose of identifying impacts on mineral weathering caused by anthropogenic activities, namely fertilizing of farmlands. The hydrochemical dataset comprised measured concentrations of major inorganic compounds dissolved in groundwater, namely bicarbonate, silica (usually by-products of chemical weathering), chloride, sulphate and nitrate (typically atmospheric plus anthropogenic inputs). The weathering dataset consisted of calculated mass transfers of minerals being dissolved in loess sediments of a region located in SW Hungary (Szigetvár area), namely Na-plagioclase, calcite and dolomite, and of pollution-related concentrations of sodium, magnesium and calcium. A first run of Correspondence Analysis described groundwater composition in the study area as a system of triple influence, where spots of domestic effluents-dominated chemistries are surrounded by areas with agriculture-dominated chemistries, both imprinted over large regions of weathering dominated chemistries. A second run revealed that nitrification of N-fertilizers is promoting mineral weathering by the nitric acid reaction (anthropogenic pathway), in concurrence with the retreating of weathering by carbonic acid (natural pathway). It also indicated that dolomite and calcite are being players in a dedolomitization process driven by dissolution of gypsum fertilizers and nitrification of N-fertilizers.     

Diagnosis of groundwater quality and assessment of contamination sources in the Megara basin (Attica,Greece)

In this study, hydrochemical analysis, statistical analysis and GIS database have been successfully used to explain the main factors and mechanisms controlling the distribution of major and trace elements in groundwater. The groundwater of Megara basin is subject to intense exploitation to accommodate all the water demands of this agricultural area. Water quality data obtained from 58 sampling sites of the Megara basin, aims to describe groundwater quality in relation to geology and anthropogenic activities. Factor analysis revealed that four factors accounted for 79.96% of the total data variability. The contribution of each factor at sampling sites was calculated. Evaluation of water samples by comparing quality standards and levels recorded in the literature for both drinking and irrigation uses is discussed.     

Multivariate analysis and geochemical investigations of groundwater in a semi-arid region,case of superficial aquifer in Ghriss Basin,Northwest Algeria

This study aims to investigate the hydrochemical characteristics of shallow aquifer in a semi-arid region situated in northwest Algeria, and to understand the major factors governing groundwater quality. The study area is suffering from recurring droughts, groundwater resource over-exploitation and groundwater quality degradation. The approach used is a combination of traditional hydrochemical analysis methods of multivariate statistical techniques, principal component analysis (PCA), and ratios of major ions, based on the data derived from 33 groundwater samples collected in February 2014. Results show that groundwater in the study area are highly mineralized and collectively has a high concentration of chloride (as Cl^?). The dominant water types are Na-Cl (27%), Mg-HCO₃ (24%) and Mg-Cl (24%). According to the (PCA) approach, salinization is the main process that controls the hydrochemical variability. The PCA analysis reveal the impact of anthropogenic factor especially the agricultural activities on the groundwater quality. The PCA highlighted two types of recharge: Superficial recharge from effective rainfall and excess irrigation water distinguished by the presence of nitrate and lateral recharge or vertical leakage from carbonate formations marked by the omnipresence of HCO₃^?. Additionally, three categories of samples were identified: (1) samples characterized by good water quality and receiving notable recharge from carbonate formations; (2) samples impacted by the natural salinization process; and (3) samples contaminated by anthropogenic activities. The major natural processes influencing water chemistry are the weathering of carbonate and silicate rocks, dissolution of evaporite as halite, evaporation and cation exchange. The study results can provide the basis for local decision makers to ensure the sustainable management of groundwater and the safety of drinking water.     

Application of multivariate statistical procedures on major ions and trace elements in a multilayered coastal aquifer: the case of the south Rhodope coastal aquifer

Multivariate statistical techniques including cluster analysis and principal components analysis were applied on 22 variables consisted of 3 physicochemical parameters, 8 major ions and 11 trace elements. Samples were collected from the south Rhodope multilayered coastal aquifer in north Greece which is facing saltwater intrusion and anthropogenic contamination over the last 35 years. Cluster analysis grouped the variables into five main groups while principal components analysis revealed four distinct hydrochemical processes in the aquifer system, explaining 84.5 % of the total variance between the variables. The identified processes correspond to, saltwater intrusion and subsequent reverse cation exchange, the presence of deep connate groundwater masses, application of fertilizers in shallow wells and anthropogenic contamination with heavy metals nearby an improperly constructed landfill. The wells categorized with the above techniques were grouped and five constituent ratios Na/Cl, (Mg + Ca)/Cl, Ca/(HCO₃ + SO₄), Ca/SO₄ and Ca/Mg were utilized to identify the ones which enable the more accurate distinction between the group cases. The results of stepwise discriminant analysis showed that the calculated classification function can distinguish almost 80 % of groundwater samples with the Na/Cl ratio being the most statistically significant grouping variable. All the aforementioned statistical models managed to successfully identify numerous hydrochemical processes in a complex multilayered aquifer system and to explicitly attribute them for every investigated well, allowing a deeper insight into groundwater chemical characteristics with the use of an optimized smaller number of variables.     

典型滨海平原区地下水流系统水化学场演化及成因:以杭嘉湖平原为例

滨海平原地区地下水流系统水化学场演化过程复杂,同时受古海侵咸化以及现代人类活动影响,当前对其专门分析的研究较少.以杭嘉湖平原为例,综合运用多元统计和水化学分析方法,对采集的78个深层孔隙承压水样品水化学数据进行解译.研究表明:区内水化学分区可划分为“古海侵区”、“径流排泄区”、“海水咸化区”,水化学类型依次为Na-Cl-HCO₃型、Na-HCO₃和Na-Ca-HCO₃型、Na-Cl型.深层地下水化学成因包括“海水入侵和离子交换”、“天然矿物溶解”、“人类活动”.滨海平原区地下水流系统无明显级次划分,地下水化学场演化先后经历原生淡水形成、古海侵咸化、人为超采和现代海水入侵3个阶段,当前不同程度的“人类活动”已取代自然过程成为驱动区内地下水流系统、尤其是水化学场演化的主要因素.      

Assessment of natural and anthropogenic impacts in groundwater,utilizing multivariate statistical analysis and inverse distance weighted interpolation modeling: the case of a Scopia basin (Central Greece)

In Scopia basin, central Greece, a hydrochemical investigation was completed. Groundwater samples from 41 sites were used to assess the natural and anthropogenic impacts in groundwater, utilizing the principal component analysis (PCA) involved with the inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation modeling and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). Best fit model to explain the spatial distribution of both hydrochemical parameters and PCA was chosen by optimizing the IDW interpolator’s parameters. Precision of the model was picked based on less root-mean-squared prediction error (RMSPE) amongst predicted and actual values measured at the same locations. Groundwater exhibit Ca–Mg–HCO₃ as the dominant hydrochemical type and their greater part are mixed waters with non-dominant ion. Interpolation models demonstrate high estimations of nitrates in zones with agricultural activities and high estimations of nickel and chromium in regions with the strong presence of ultrabasic rocks. Dominant part of the groundwater samples surpasses in many cases the European Community (EC) drinking water permissible limits. Thus, they are unsuitable for human consumption. PCA illustrated four factors, which clarified 80.62% of the aggregate variance of data and HCA classified two statistically significant clusters of sampling sites. Results show natural procedures ascribed to the weathering of the minerals contained in the ultrabasic rocks and anthropogenic influences related to the use of fertilizers and wastewater leak. In light of FAO standards and Richards’s classification, the groundwaters are reasonable for irrigation purposes, featuring waters with low sodium hazard and moderate salinity hazard.     

Identification and evaluation of the hydrogeochemical processes of the lower part of Wadi Siham catchment area, Tihama plain, Yemen

One hundred forty-eight groundwater samples were collected from the lower part of Wadi Siham catchment area for hydrogeochemical investigations to understand the hydrogeochemical processes affecting groundwater chemistry and their relation with groundwater quality. Groundwater in the study area is abstracted from different aquifers. The study area is characterized by arid climate and extremely high relative humidity. The results indicate that groundwater in the study area is fresh to brackish in nature. The abundance of the major ions is as follows: Na⁺¹?>?Ca⁺²?>?Mg⁺²?≥?K⁺¹ and Cl^?1?>?HCO ₃ ^?1 ?>?SO ₄ ^?2 ?>?NO ₃ ^?1 . Various graphical and ionic ration plots, statistical analyses, and saturation indices calculations have been carried out using chemical data to deduce a hydrochemical evaluation of the study area. The prevailing hydrogeochemical processes operating in the study area are dissolution, mixing, evaporation, ion exchange, and weathering of silicate minerals in the eastern part (recharge areas). The reverse ion exchange and seawater intrusion control the groundwater chemistry along the Red Sea coast areas and few parts of the study area. Deterioration in groundwater quality from anthropogenic activities has resulted from saltwater intrusion along the coastal areas due to groundwater overpumping and extensive use of fertilizers and infiltration of sewage water. Salinity and nitrate contamination are the two major problems in the area, which is alarming considering the use of this water for drinking.     

Factors affecting groundwater chemistry in regional arid basins of variable lithology: example of Wadi Umairy,Oman

Understanding factors influencing groundwater chemistry in regional groundwater basins is important to prevent groundwater pollution especially in arid areas where rainfall is low and water resources are limited. The present study assesses such factors in the regional, geologically diverse, groundwater basin of Wadi Umairy in Oman. The basin is composed of five different lithostratigraphic units with different hydraulic properties. Water samples (41) have been collected from the different units and analyzed for the major ions. Factor analysis and conventional hydrochemical methods were used to define the factors that have significant impact on the aquifer's hydrochemistry. It was found that evaporation and mineral weathering/dissolution are the main factors defining the groundwater chemistry along the flow path from recharge to discharge zones, whereas anthropogenic activities and alkalinity are found to be of lesser effect, and the latter prevails when the rocks are predominantly monomineralic. It was concluded that in regional groundwater basins, recharge/discharge relations together with the flow scale control the hydrochemistry irrespective of lithological variation in the basin.     

Groundwater characterization and quality assessment,and sources of pollution in Madinah,Saudi Arabia

Groundwater quality in the Madinah city is increasingly endangered by expanding urbanization, industrial activities, and intensified agricultural land use. In order to investigate the pollution of Madinah groundwater resources, 32 samples have been gathered and examined for major, trace, and nutrient components. Results of groundwater characterization and groundwater quality assessment show that Na⁺ and Cl^? are the main anion and cation in the groundwater, respectively. Depletion of HCO₃ that interacts with water increases salinity. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis were applied in the current study to obtain relationship between parameters and sampling site in order to identify the factors and sources influencing groundwater quality. The CA allowed the formation of three clusters between the sampling wells reflecting differences on water quality at different locations. Four major PCs were extracted, which accounted 86.05 % variance of the original data structure. Forty-four percent of the groundwater samples have high values of NO₃, due to human and agricultural activities. Four samples in the southwestern part of the study area show high content of Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, As, and Al. This may be due to the influence of anthropogenic activities that resulted from the southwestern industrial area of Madinah. The present study illustrates explicitly the stress on groundwater quality and its vulnerability in the aquifer system.     

济南市新旧动能转换区浅层地下水硝酸盐污染特征

为查清济南市新旧动能转换先行区浅层地下水NO₃^-污染问题,对研究区7种污染源类型64件浅层地下水样品水质结果进行统计分析后认为:受人类活动影响,地下水中NO₃^-含量的高低往往与几种特定的水化学类型存在对应关系。4类主要污染源类型浅层地下水NO₃^-含量一般顺序为:垃圾渗滤液>禽畜养殖>生活污水>农业种植。垃圾渗滤液下渗导致的NO₃^-污染对应的主要地下水化学类型为HCO₃·Cl^-Na·Mg型,粪便渗滤液及尿液下渗主要对应产生HCO₃·SO₄-Na·Mg型、生活污水入渗对应产生HCO₃·Cl^-Na·Ca型,农业种植区主要对应HCO₃-Na·Ca型。离子相关性分析表明,NO₃^-含量与Ca²⁺、Cl^-存在相关关系。研究区以农业种植为主,大量氮素化肥和石灰等土壤改良剂的使用是导致浅层地下水NO₃^-与Ca²⁺相关的主要因素。NO₃^-与Cl^-在地下水中同属较稳定离子,由长期的人类活动排放、入渗积累或蒸发浓缩富集,是一个地区人类活动密集程度和历史长度的综合反映,提出了NO₃^-与Cl^-质量浓度联合评价地下水污染的基本方法。     

百泉泉域岩溶地下水水化学演化特征及成因

百泉泉域岩溶地下水是河北邢台市生产和生活的主要供水水源。近年来受到自然条件变化和人类活动的影响,泉域地下水流场明显改变,水化学场演变机制有待查明。本研究在水文地质调查和样品采集测试的基础上,采用统计学方法（描述性统计、Person相关系数）、饱和指数计算和水化学方法（Piper图、Stiff图、Gibbs图、离子比例系数）对泉域岩溶水化学特征展开了系统分析。结果表明:泉域岩溶水为弱碱性淡水,Ca2+、Mg2+、HCO3-、SO42- 是地下水中的主要离子,主要来源于方解石、白云石和石膏的风化溶解,Na+和Cl-主要来源于少量岩盐的溶解。沿着径流方向方解石相对于地下水由溶解状态转变为平衡状态,而白云石、石膏和岩盐一直处于溶解状态。补给区和北部径流区基本为HCO3-Ca·Mg型水,七里河、沙河附近和南部煤铁矿区岩溶水除HCO3-Ca·Mg型外,还多出现HCO3·SO4-Ca型、CO3·Cl-Ca·Mg型和HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg型水,煤铁矿区附近岩溶水中SO42- 的升高是受到了高SO42- 矿坑排水的混合影响。蒸发浓缩作用仅在水位埋深浅且地下水流动相对滞缓的排泄区较为明显,排泄点——百泉泉水为HCO3·SO4·Cl-Ca·Mg型。此外,人类工农业活动改变了地下水的径流条件和水质,使局部岩溶水中NO3-、Cl-、Fe、总硬度含量升高甚至超标。      

Integrated hydrochemical assessment of the Quaternary alluvial aquifer of the Guadalquivir River, southern Spain

The alluvial aquifer of the Guadalquivir River comprises shallow Quaternary deposits located in the central-eastern part of the Province of Jaén in southern Spain, where groundwater resources are used mainly for crop irrigation in an important agricultural area. In order to establish the baseline hydrochemical conditions and processes determining the groundwater quality, groundwater and river water samples were collected as part of an integrated investigation that coupled multivariate statistical analysis with hydrochemical methods to identify and interpret the groundwater chemistry of the aquifer system. Three main hydrochemical types (Mg–Ca–HCO₃, Ca–Mg–SO₄–HCO₃–Cl and Na–Ca–Mg–Cl–SO₄) were identified. Further interpretation, using R-mode principal components analysis (PCA) conducted with 13 hydrochemical variables, identified two principal components which explain ⅔ of the variance in the original data. In combination with the hydrochemical interpretation, mineralogical analyses of the aquifer sediment together with inverse geochemical modelling using NETPATH showed that dedolomitization (calcite precipitation and dolomite dissolution driven by gypsum dissolution) is the principal hydrochemical process controlling the regional groundwater chemistry. Other processes such as silicate weathering, ion exchange, mixing between river water and groundwater, and agricultural practices also affect the groundwater chemistry.     

Assessment of groundwater circulation in La Gomera aquifers (Canary Islands, Spain) from their hydrochemical features

La Gomera (Canary Islands, Spain) does not show water scarcity like other islands of the Archipelago. However, the study of its aquifers is paramount as nearly 60 % of the water supplies are covered with spring water. According to the currently accepted hydrogeological model, La Gomera presents an upper aquifer consisting of perched groundwater bodies. Below this hydrogeological unit, the General Saturated Zone or basal groundwater is placed. The model also establishes the presence of flows through them. Many perched groundwater bodies are located under Garajonay National Park where most of the springs are found. Therefore, if upper and lower aquifers are truly connected and new wells are built, the new extractions could affect Garajonay ecosystems. With the aim of identifying spring groups and related potential areas of water transfer, hydrochemical and statistical analyses (principal component analysis and cluster analysis) have been applied. This study shows the great compositional variability of groundwaters, precluding the identification of spring groups, hydrochemical patterns and, therefore, the transfer areas with no possibility of assessing the potential impact of a water demand increase on the Garajonay National Park ecosystems from the present data. Only the springs belonging to group II of the cluster analysis could indicate a transfer area. The lack of conclusive results could be due to: (1) great compositional variability of volcanic materials; (2) unequal influence of marine aerosols; (3) irregular distribution of rainfall; (4) different grades of soils development; and (5) the occurrence of partially disconnected water bodies giving as a result a complex hydrogeological system.     

Responses of groundwater system to water development in northern China

The increased demands on water resources in northern China have had a significant impact on groundwater systems in the last three to four decades, including reductions in groundwater recharge capacity and overall water quality. These changes limit the potential for groundwater uses in this area. This paper discusses the issues surrounding groundwater system use in the eight basins of northern China as water resources have been developed. The results demonstrate that the recharge zone has shifted from the piedmont to the agricultural area, and that the total recharge rate in the basins tended to decrease. This decrease in arid inland basins was mainly caused by both the excessive use of water in the watershed area and irrigated channel anti-seepage. In semi-arid basins, the decrease observed in the groundwater recharge rate is related to an overall reduction in precipitation and increasing river impoundment. In addition, intensive exploitation of groundwater resources has resulted in disturbances to the groundwater flow regime in arid and semi-arid inland basins. Arid inland basins demonstrated fast falling groundwater levels in the piedmont plains resulting in declines of spring flow rates and movement of spring sites to lower locations. In the semi-arid basins, i.e. the North China Plain and the Song-nen Plain, groundwater depression cones developed and intersected regional groundwater flow. The semi-arid basins of the North China Plain and the Song-nen Plain have experienced significant hydrochemical evolution of groundwater characterized by changing water type including increase of TDS and pollutants.     

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.