Spatial Hydrochemical Characteristics and Controlling Factors of Surface Water in the Yancheng Area

Abstract

Surface water resources are crucial to economic development in China's eastern coastal areas. Under the influence of intense human activities, problems such as abnormal water quality and pollution are very prominent. Here, the chemical composition of surface waters and their controlling factors were analyzed in the Yancheng area. The results showed that:① The surface water pH is low and the concentrations of total dissolved solids(TDS) are high in the study area. pH is likely controlled by the acidic organic pollutants discharged by human activities as well as acidic substances formed by anaerobic decomposition in soils. TDS data showed low values in the west and high values in the east, and low values in north and high south of the study region. ② Cation content was dominated by Na+, anions were dominated by HCO3- and Cl-, and, overall, hydrochemical composition was controlled by HCO3-(Ca+Na), although there was significant variability between the different regions. ③ Because the silt layer in the region is mainly composed of clay, subclay, and sandstone, the soluble matter in surface water is mainly derived from the decomposition of Na-feldspar in silicate debris via carbonation, supplemented by carbonation. Due to the low-lying terrain and high groundwater level in the tidal flat area, solutes are significantly affected by evaporation-driven concentration alongside evaporite weathering replenishment. ④ Although the surface waters in different regions were found to be affected by human activities to varying degrees, the impact was always strong. In particular, in areas of tidal wetland expansion, water quality is not only affected by urban sewage and agricultural irrigation but also industrial wastewater discharge.