Hydrogeochemical Characterization and Identification of Factors Influencing Groundwater Quality in Coastal Aquifers, Case: La Yarada, Tacna, Peru

Abstract

The coastal aquifer La Yarada has anthropogenic and geogenic contamination that adversely affect the quality of groundwater for population and agricultural use. In this scenario, multivariate statistical methods were applied in 20 physicochemical and isotopic parameters of 53 groundwater pumping wells in October 2020, with the aim of characterizing the hydrogeochemical processes that dominate the groundwater of the coastal aquifer and the factors that cause them to optimize the effective management of water resources, delimiting areas affected by more than one salinization process. The samples were grouped into three clusters (C1, C2, and C3) with cluster analysis, the spatial distribution of C2 and C3 (reclassified in stiff diagrams), evidenced hydrogeochemical facies associated with the flow and recharge directions governed by the structural lineaments (NE-SO), favoring some areas more than others, arising different facies and hydrogeochemical processes. Factor analysis was applied from three different approaches: (1) main elements, (2) trace elements, and (3) physicochemical and isotopic parameters; exposing 6 distinguishable hydrogeochemical processes in the aquifer and factors that cause them: (i) salinization—marine intrusion, (ii) fertilizer leaching and dissolution of (Ca2+, Mg2+), (iii) wastewater mixture (NO3−), (iv) reducing conditions (Fe, Mn, Al), (v) contributions of (B, Sr), (vi) conservative mixtures and dissolution (As, F). It was validated with water quality indices (WQI) according to the national limits, delimiting 67 km2 parallel to the coast with “bad” to “very bad” quality for human consumption and unsuitable for irrigation according to the Wilcox diagram thus pre-treatment in this area is indispensable.

Hydrochemical Characteristics and Formation Mechanism of Groundwater in Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China

“…In particular, TDS correlated very strongly with TH, Na + , Mg 2+ , K + , Ca 2+ , Cl − , and SO 4 2− , and very weakly with HCO 3 − and NO 3 − , indicating that the soluble components are the main determinants of TDS. TH also showed an extremely strong correlation with Na + , Mg 2+ , K + , Ca 2+ , Cl − , and SO 4 2− , which indicates that there is a common source that might have occurred with the dissolution of rock salt, CaSO 4 , and CaSO 4 •2H 2 O. Of these, the Na + correlation with Cl − reached 0.992, which may be caused by seawater intrusion.…”

“…The seawater intrusion can trigger water scarcity, soil salinization, and significant crop yield reduction in coastal areas. Assessing these processes remains a major challenge, and therefore, further understanding of the groundwater chemistry characteristics and influencing factors in coastal areas appears essential [4]. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources of China in 2019, seawater intrusion is more serious in the coastal areas of the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea in China [5], and severe seawater intrusion is mainly distributed in the coastal localities of Shandong, Liaoning, Hebei, and Jiangsu [6].…”

“…Scholars such as Wu Jichun, Zheng Xilai, and Cheng Jianmei have researched seawater intrusion simulation, forecasting, and prevention [25][26][27][28][29]. The relevant studies by Gautam A and other scholars provide experience and reference [4,30,31]. However, additional in-depth research is required to better understand the groundwater resource situation and to use and protect groundwater resources sustainably.…”

Hydrogeochemical characterization of groundwater in a coastal area, central western Senegal

“…Evaluating the groundwater quality in this area, understanding the origin and the extent of saline groundwater distribution in the aquifer, and understanding the mechanism and interactions between surface water and groundwater are essential to solving water quality deterioration. Based on the hydrochemistry approach, we determine the chemical composition of groundwater (Freeze and Cherry, 1979;Faye et al, 2003;Chucuya et al, 2022;Li et al, 2022;Ren et al, 2022;Su et al, 2022;Yao et al, 2022). This study aims to (1) describe the chemical composition of groundwater and the geochemical processes controlling the chemical patterns and (2) describe the extent of saline groundwater in the region studied.…”

Deciphering Hydrochemical Characteristics and Formation mechanism of Groundwater in the Banggou Iron Mine Area, Peru

“…Unfortunately, the extensive mining activities in recent years have had adverse effects on groundwater quality and the environment in general (Bebbington and Williams 2008). The hydrochemical study reveals that aquifer structure degradation, declining water levels, and water contamination have become more prevalent (Chucuya et al 2022). Understanding the hydrogeochemical characteristics and formation mechanisms of groundwater is essential for effective management of local groundwater quality and promoting its sustainable utilization.…”