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Hydro-geochemical evolution of groundwater in the central Yangtze River Basin, China

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Abstract

Understanding the characteristics of groundwater hydro-chemical evolution is significant for better utilization and exploitation. In this study, principal component analysis, hydro-geochemical modeling and auxiliary chemical method were used to identify the hydro-chemical evolution in the groundwater of the central Yangtze River Basin. 17.02% of the groundwater samples had TH concentrations above the China national guideline. The relationship between the concentrations of Ca2+ + Mg2+ and HCO3− in phreatic groundwater and confined groundwater indicated that they may originate from the dissolution of the same carbonate minerals (such as dolomite and calcite minerals). Values of δ18O and δ2H in phreatic water (PGW) and confined water (CGW) suggested similar evolution process of the two aquifers. δ18O and δD in the mainstream of the Yangtze River presented an obvious enrichment trend along the flow direction. Principal component analysis indicated that the groundwater chemistry was mainly controlled by the anthropogenic activities and geological background. The groundwater evolution process of R2 and R3 appeared to be more similar. However, R3 was probably less affected by anthropogenic activities. The calculation results of mineral saturation index showed that calcite and dolomite were supersaturated in 96% of the groundwater at the area between the Yangtze River and Han River. This work not only strengthens the understanding of groundwater evolution in this area, but also provides a reference for groundwater analysis in other similar areas.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (No. 2007AA06Z418), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 20577036, 20777058, 20977070), the National Natural Science Foundation of Hubei province in China (No. 2015CFA137), and the Open Fund of Hubei Biomass-Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology Key Laboratory, and the Fund of Eco-environment Technology R&D and Service Center (Wuhan University).

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  1. School of Resource and Environmental Science, Hubei Biomass-Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology Key Laboratory, Eco-Environment Technology R&D and Service Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, People’s Republic of China

    Meiyan Hu, Peijiang Zhou & Chaoqi Chen

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  1. Meiyan Hu
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MH: writing, review and editing. PZ: review and editing. CC: review and editing.

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Hu, M., Zhou, P. & Chen, C. Hydro-geochemical evolution of groundwater in the central Yangtze River Basin, China. Carbonates Evaporites 38, 28 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-023-00852-2

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