Abstract:
Objective As a vital "Central Water Tower" and ecological barrier, the Qinling Mountains hold significant importance. However, the groundwater quality and its associated eco-environmental effects within the Xi'an section of the ecological coordination control belt on the northern foothills remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the hydrochemical genesis and concomitant effects of groundwater in this area, thereby providing a scientific basis for the management of groundwater resources in the Qinling Mountains.
Methods A total of 104 shallow groundwater samples were systematically collected from December 2023 to January 2024. The detected data were comprehensively analyzed using theoretical methods such as hydrogeochemistry and statistics.
Results The groundwater is generally weakly alkaline and fresh, with HCO3− and Ca2+ identified as the dominant anion and cation, respectively. The predominant hydrochemical types are HCO3-Ca, HCO3-Ca·Mg, HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg, HCO3·SO4-Ca and HCO3-Ca·Na. The hydrochemical characteristics are primarily influenced by the dissolution of silicate and carbonate rocks, cation exchange, and anthropogenic agricultural activities. The proportions of water quality classes Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, and Ⅴ are 16.35%, 52.88%, 11.54%, and 19.23%, respectively, and the main factors causing substandard water quality are nitrate and total hardness.
Conclusions A significant disparity in groundwater quality exists between the piedmont area and the plain region of the Qinling Mountains. The water quality degradation in the plain highlights the urgent need to control agricultural non-point source pollution and strengthen groundwater governance.
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