Hydrogeochemical Characteristics and Evolution Processes of Karst Groundwater Affected by Multiple Influencing Factors in a Karst Spring Basin, Eastern China

Abstract

Karst groundwater is an important water supply, especially in northern China. With the rapid development of China’s economy, anthropogenic activities have had a significant impact on karst groundwater formation, circulation and other processes. In this paper, the Baotu spring basin, which is closely related to anthropogenic activities, was selected as the research object to carry out a study of water chemical characteristics and evolutionary processes. And, mathematical statistics, Piper trilinear diagram, Gibbs diagram, and ion ratio methods were used to analyze the characteristics and evolution processes of groundwater. The results of this study show that the hydrogeochemical components of karst groundwater are mainly controlled by the weathering of rocks, mainly by the dissolution of carbonate rocks and silicates with the dominant cation of Ca2+ and the dominant anion of HCO3−. Considering the role of anthropogenic activities, including agricultural and industrial activities, the evolution process of karst groundwater is mainly controlled by hydrogeochemical effects such as mineral dissolution and filtration, the mixing of multiple water bodies, anthropogenic activities (domestic sewage, industrial and agricultural wastes), oxidation–reduction and cation alternating adsorption. Moreover, the influence of anthropogenic activities on the formation and evolution of karst groundwater gradually increases, leading to the rise in nitrate content in karst groundwater and accelerating carbonate rock dissolution. The research results of this paper can provide a favorable reference for environmental protection and research on karst groundwater in areas of intensive anthropogenic activity.