Temporal Variations of Water Chemistry in the Wet Season in a Typical Urban Karst Groundwater System in Southwest China.

Min Xiao,Sen Xu,Zenglei Han,Zhongliang Wang

doi:10.3390/ijerph17072520

Abstract

It is important to investigate temporal variations of water chemistry for the purpose of improving water quality in karst groundwater systems. Groundwater samples were collected daily under various land uses of Guiyang. Major ions and stable carbon isotope composition of dissolved inorganic carbon (δ13CDIC) were analyzed to understand the biogeochemical processes. The water chemistry was dominated by Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3-, and SO42-, which mainly derived from the dissolution of carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite) and oxidation of sulfide. The groundwater was defined as of the HCO3-Ca Mg and HCO3·SO4-Ca·Mg type, according to its hydrochemical characteristics. Results suggested that hydrochemical concentrations changed quickly, in response to rainfall events. The fast response revealed that karst groundwater was easily impacted by rainfall and anthropogenic inputs according to temporal variation of water chemistry. The distribution of DIC (dissolved inorganic carbon) and δ13CDIC showed that DIC is mainly sourced from soil CO2(g) influx and carbonate dissolution. δ13CDIC and major ions ratios suggested that carbonate minerals were dissolved by H2SO4 at groundwater in wooded area, contributing an important source for DIC due to the slight enrichment of heavy δ13CDIC. More negative δ13CDIC values were observed after rainfall reflected the fact that soil CO2(g) and organic carbon oxidation influxes accounted for a large share during DIC formation. Various δ13CDIC and hydrochemical patterns were observed under various land use and human activity conditions. Meanwhile, relative high nitrate loads were found in groundwater after rainfall, suggesting high anthropogenic inputs following rainwater as having side effects on water quality. This study suggests that water chemistry and isotopic proof provide a better understanding of water quality and carbon dynamics responding to rainfall events in the karst groundwater systems.

Highlights

Karst aquifers are important for supplying a large amount of fresh water for the whole world [1].The karst landscape covers nearly 15% of the Earth’s land area, providing drinking water for 1/4 of the world’s population [2]
This study suggests that water chemistry and isotopic proof provide a better understanding of water quality and carbon dynamics responding to rainfall events in the karst groundwater systems
This study investigated temporal and spatial variations of water chemistry at the rainy season in a typical karst groundwater system, SW China

Summary

Introduction

Karst aquifers are important for supplying a large amount of fresh water for the whole world [1]. The karst landscape covers nearly 15% of the Earth’s land area, providing drinking water for 1/4 of the world’s population [2]. Groundwater is important for drinking and irrigation in the karst area, understanding the biogeochemical processes in karst areas is extremely significant [3,4,5,6]. Groundwater is an important part in the karstic ecosystem, but it is sensitive to environmental changes and human activities [5,7,8]. With the acceleration of urbanization and industrialization, the eco-environment in karst areas is susceptible to being affected [9,10].

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