Water-Rock Action Analysis and Quality Evaluation of Shallow Groundwater in Rural Areas: A Case Study of Suzhou City, Northern Anhui, China

Abstract

Groundwater is the main water source for humans and plays an important role in health and food production. To understand the hydrogeochemical characteristics and quality of shallow groundwater in rural areas of Suzhou, Anhui Province, China, 32 groups of shallow groundwater samples were collected. The results of the study showed that the nature of the groundwater is slightly alkaline. The order of abundance of cations is Ca2+ > K+ + Na+ > Mg2+, whereas that of anions is HCO3− > Cl− > SO42−. The main hydrochemical types are HCO3-Ca, HCO3-Mg, and HCO3-Na. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope abundances indicated that shallow groundwater recharge in the study area is due to precipitation and is affected by evaporation. The ion ratio analysis suggested that the ions in the shallow groundwater originate from the weathering of silicate minerals and the dissolution of carbonate and sulphate minerals, accompanied by different degrees of ion exchange. Water quality evaluation indicated that the water is good and can be used directly as agricultural irrigation water.