Hydrochemical characterization and comprehensive water quality assessment of groundwater within the main stream area of Yishu River

Abstract

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the hydrochemical characteristics, controlling factors, and water quality of groundwater in the main stream area of Yishu River (MSYR), a study was conducted using water quality data collected during both the dry and wet seasons. Through statistical analysis, hydrochemical methods, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, and health risk evaluation modeling, the water chemical characteristics of the main stream area of Yishu River were studied, and the water quality of the area was comprehensively evaluated. The findings indicate that HCO₃^- and Ca²⁺ are the predominant anions and cations in the MSYR during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Moreover, anion concentration in groundwater follows HCO₃^- > SO₄^2- > NO₃^- > Cl^-, while cations are ranked as Ca²⁺ > Na⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺. Overall, the groundwater manifests as weakly alkaline and is predominantly classified as hard-fresh water. During the wet season, there is greater groundwater leaching and filtration, with rock and soil materials more readily transferred to groundwater, and the concentrations of main chemical components in groundwater are higher than those during the dry season, and the hydrochemical types are primarily characterized as HCO₃-Ca·Mg and SO₄·Cl-Ca·Mg types. These results also suggest that the chemical composition of the groundwater in the MSYR is influenced mainly by water-rock interaction. The primary ions originate from the dissolution of silicate rock and carbonate rock minerals, while cation exchange plays a critical role in the hydrogeochemical process. Groundwater in the MSYR is classified mostly as class II water, indicating that it is generally of good quality. However, areas with high levels of class IV and V water are present locally, and NO₃^- concentration is a crucial factor affecting groundwater quality. In the wet season, more groundwater and stronger mobility lead to greater mobility of NO₃^- and wider diffusion. Therefore, the risk evaluation model shows that nitrate health risk index is higher in the wet season than it is in the dry season, with children being more vulnerable to health risks than adults. To study groundwater in this area, its hydrochemical characteristics, water quality, and health risk assessment are of great practical significance for ensuring water safety for residents and stable development of social economy.

Keywords: Groundwater; Health risk assessment; Hydrochemical characteristics; Water quality assessment; Yishu River basin.