Comprehensive analysis of groundwater hydrochemistry and nitrate health risks in the Baiquan basin, Northern China

Abstract

Groundwater is a crucial water source and strategic resource, essential for sustaining both urban and rural livelihoods, supporting economic and social development, and maintaining ecological balance. This study investigates the hydrochemical properties and controlling factors of groundwater in the Baiquan basin (BQB) by analyzing water quality data collected during both dry and wet periods. Additionally, the suitability of groundwater for drinking and agricultural irrigation was evaluated. The findings reveal that groundwater in BQB is generally weakly alkaline and primarily consists of hard-fresh water. Although there are seasonal variations in the main ion concentrations, HCO 3 − and Ca 2+ are the predominant anions and cations, respectively. Consequently, the hydrochemical type is mainly HCO 3 -Ca⋅Mg type, with a secondary classification of SO 4 ⋅Cl-Ca ⋅ Mg. The hydrochemical composition is primarily influenced by the dissolution of carbonate and silicate minerals, as well as cation exchange processes. Additionally, it is affected by anthropogenic inputs, particularly from the use of agricultural fertilizers. The water quality assessment results indicated that all water samples are classified as either good or moderate, with a significant majority falling into the good category. Additionally, the northern section of the BQB exhibited lower entropy weight water quality index (EWQI) values during the dry season in comparison to the wet season. For irrigated agriculture, groundwater in the BQB serves as a high-quality water source for irrigation throughout both the dry and rainy seasons. Furthermore, non-carcinogenic risks are notably concentrated in the north-western and south-eastern regions of the study area. Health risks associated with nitrates in groundwater are elevated during the rainy season. Notably, non-carcinogenic risks for infants were significantly high across both seasons and substantially exceeded those for children and adults. These results provide valuable scientific insights for the management and development of groundwater resources in the BQB.