The fragile ecological balance of lakeside plains on plateau makes groundwater hydrochemical composition highly susceptible to human disturbances. This research investigates a typical plain on Yunnan Plateau to quantitatively identify the potential sources of groundwater pollution in lakeside plains on plateau by combining receptor models with risk assessment models. Receptor models show there are three potential pollution sources for groundwater including water-rock interactions, agricultural pollution, and domestic sewage/manure discharge. Groundwater hydrochemical composition is predominantly shaped by natural water-rock interactions, accounting for an average of 50.12 % of the influence. This is followed by agricultural non-point source pollution, which contributes 10.79 %, and the discharge of domestic sewage and manure, which accounts for 10.61 %. Groundwater in the current plain could pose a minor non-carcinogenic risk for long-term drinking, with the total hazard index (THI) for adults varying between 0.015 and 1.089, and for children between 0.024 and 1.737. Notably, 4.35 % of groundwater samples have a THI exceeding the safe threshold of 1. NO3- (72 %) is the primary contributor to non-carcinogenic risks, accounting for 72 %, trailed by Mn (13 %), NH4+ (9 %), Fe (6 %) and NO2- (1 %). The non-carcinogenic risks are predominantly attributed to agricultural non-point source pollution (71.6 %) and the discharge of domestic sewage and manure (26.9 %). A conceptual model has been developed to encapsulate the dynamics of groundwater quality formation in lakeside plains on plateau. This research will aid residents in safeguarding against groundwater contamination and enhancing agricultural practices in present plain and similar lakeside plain worldwide.
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