Risk assessment of groundwater pollution and its impact on ecological environment in urban area of Shenyang

Objective Groundwater pollution risk assessment and its ecological impacts analysis serve as a critical basis for groundwater protection, pollution control, and maintaining regional ecological security.

Method This study focuses on Shenyang's urban area, establishs an evaluation framework encompassing 12 indicators across three dimensions: aquifer intrinsic vulnerability, pollution source load, and groundwater value. Using GIS, it conducts groundwater pollution risk assessment and analyzes associated ecological effects.

Results Results show no high or relatively high−risk zones in Shenyang City. Medium−risk areas, mainly distributed in northwest and southwest paddy fields, account for 12.24% of the total area; relatively low−risk zones, primarily in dry farmlands south and north of the main urban area, make up 49.23%; low−risk regions, extensively covering eastern low mountains, hills, and Hunhe alluvial−proluvial fans, constitute 38.43%.

Conclusions Ecologically, medium−risk areas face soil−crop system pollution, intensified surface water eutrophication, and wetland ecosystem disturbances; relatively low−risk zones are prone to soil secondary salinization, acidification, potential stress on shallow groundwater−dependent vegetation, and act as pollutant transfer hubs toward downstream and deep layers. Low−risk areas, functioning as key ecological barriers and water conservation zones in Shenyang, require prioritized protection.