The genesis of groundwater chemistry in Yellow River Delta: A case study of Gudao Town, Dongying City, Shandong Province

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2023.12.30

Abstract

Abstract:

The Yellow River Delta is a key strategic economic zone in China, making it crucial to understand the characteristics and genetic mechanisms of groundwater quality for the sustainable utilization of groundwater resources and the protection of ecological and environmental health. Focusing on Gudao Town in the Yellow River Delta, this study systematically investigates groundwater quality and its formation mechanisms through field hydrogeological surveys, hydrogeochemical monitoring, and laboratory analysis. The findings are as follows: (1)The main hydrochemical types of different waters in the study area are HCO₃·SO₄-Na·Ca (Yellow River water), Cl-Na (seawater), Cl-Na (surface water), Cl·HCO₃-Na (brackish groundwater), and Cl-Na (underground brackish water and brine).(2)Surface water and brackish groundwater are closely associated with silicate end members. The formation of brackish water is primarily influenced by cation exchange and the dissolution of silicate rocks, with dolomite and gypsum dissolution playing a dominant role. (3) Brackish water is mainly controlled by the dissolution of silicate and evaporite rocks, with its salinity primarily attributed to seawater intrusion. (4) The Cl^- concentration in groundwater decreases progressively from the coastal area to the inland, while F concentration decreases from the estuary to the inland. The distribution patterns of Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and SO₄^2- concentrations align with that of total dissolved solids (TDS), indicating that these elements are primarily derived from the intrusion of both ancient and modern seawater. Additionally, changes in NH₄⁺ concentrations are largely influenced by human activities.

Key words: Yellow River Delta, groundwater chemistry, water pollution, hydrogeochemical processes

CLC Number:

P641.3
X143

WANG Wei, CHENG Xing, GAO Xubo, TIAN Zhenhuan, LIU Chunhua, WU Zhanhui, LI Chengcheng, KONG Shuqiong. The genesis of groundwater chemistry in Yellow River Delta: A case study of Gudao Town, Dongying City, Shandong Province[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2025, 32(2): 469-483.

Figures/Tables 14

Fig.1 Regional hydrogeological map

Fig.2 Locations of groundwater samples in the study area

Table 1 Statistical table of physical and chemical properties indicators and hydrochemical characteristics of Yellow River water and seawater

类型	特征	pH	DO浓度/ (mg·L^-1)	Eh/ mV	EC/ (μS·cm^-1)	离子浓度/(mg·L^-1)
类型	特征	pH	DO浓度/ (mg·L^-1)	Eh/ mV	EC/ (μS·cm^-1)	TDS	Na⁺	K⁺	Mg²⁺	Ca²⁺	Cl^-	SO₄^2-	HCO₃^-
黄河水	最大值	8.2	5.9	184.0	1 162.0	770	121	7.7	41	72	100	151	668
	最小值	7.9	4.5	72.0	691.0	566	100	4.8	28	54	35	119	387
	平均值	8.1	5.2	109.3	897.7	672	108	5.9	33	61	70	136	515
	标准差	0.1	0.6	52.8	196.6	84	9	1.3	5	8	27	13	116
海水	最大值	7.93	11.15	172.5	41 500	29 513	9 246	316	1 120	279	16 466	2 147	266
	最小值	7.90	10.78	154.9	41 300	29 323	8 964	304	1 100	266	15 989	2 123	250
	平均值	7.92	11.00	164.0	41 400	29 418	9 105	310	1 110	272	16 228	2 135	258
	标准差	0.015	0.185	8.8	100	94.64	140.82	5.84	10.26	6.58	238.30	12.03	7.82

Fig.3 Statistical diagram of hydrochemical characteristics of pond and marsh water in the study area

Fig.4 Statistical diagram of groundwater hydrochemical characteristics along the profile in the study area

Fig.5 Variations of hydrochemical characteristics along profile A-A'

Fig.6 Variations of hydrochemical characteristics along profile B-B'

Fig.7 Piper trilinear diagram of all samples in the study area

Fig.8 Contour map of major ion components in the study area

Fig.9 Major hydrochemical reactions of groundwater in the study area as reflected by Gibbs diagrams

Fig.10 Major hydrochemical reactions in the study area as reflected by ternary diagrams

Fig.11 Ion ratio relation diagram of [(Ca2++Mg2+)-(SO42-+HCO3-)]-(Na++K+-Cl-)

Fig.12 Scatter plots of chemometric relationships of major ions in groundwater

Fig.13 Sketch map of groundwater hydrochemistry and contamination patterns in the study area

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