Applying multivariate statistics for identification of groundwater chemistry and qualities in the Sugan Lake Basin, Northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

Abstract

The Sugan Lake Basin is located in the inland arid region of northwestern China, in which groundwater is of great significance to human and ecology. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the chemical characteristics and quality of groundwater in the basin. Based on samples collected from 35 groundwater wells in Sugan Lake Basin, the spatial distribution characteristics of groundwater chemistry, main hydrogeochemical processes and groundwater quality have been discussed in this paper by using the multivariate statistics and hydrochemistry analysis methods. The results showed that the groundwater is weakly alkaline, and its total dissolved solid (TDS) and total hardness (TH) are high, with the average values of 1244.03 mg/L and 492.10 mg/L, respectively. The types of groundwater are mainly HCO3−-SO42−-Ca2+ type in the runoff area and Cl−-SO42−-Na+ type in the catchment area. Rock weathering and ion exchange are the main controlling factors of regional groundwater chemistry, followed by evaporative crystallization, and human activities have less impact on groundwater. The spatial difference of groundwater quality is obvious, the water quality of the catchment area is not suitable for drinking, and the suitability for plant growth is also poor. The groundwater in the runoff area can be used for drinking, but the hardness is slightly higher, which is more suitable for ecological purpose.