Hydrochemical and multivariate analysis of groundwater quality in the northwest of Sinai, Egypt

The northwestern coast of Sinai is home to many economic activities and development programs, thus evaluation of the potentiality and vulnerability of water resources is important. The present work has been conducted on the groundwater resources of this area for describing the major features of groundwater quality and the principal factors that control salinity evolution. The major ionic content of 39 groundwater samples collected from the Quaternary aquifer shows high coefficients of variation reflecting asymmetry of aquifer recharge. The groundwater samples have been classified into four clusters (using hierarchical cluster analysis), these match the variety of total dissolvable solids, water types and ionic orders. The principal component analysis combined the ionic parameters of the studied groundwater samples into two principal components. The first represents about 56% of the whole sample variance reflecting a salinization due to evaporation, leaching, dissolution of marine salts and/or seawater intrusion. The second represents about 15.8% reflecting dilution with rain water and the El-Salam Canal. Most groundwater samples were not suitable for human consumption and about 41% are suitable for irrigation. However, all groundwater samples are suitable for cattle, about 69% and 15% are suitable for horses and poultry, respectively.

Download Full-text

Hydrochemical Characteristics and Identification of Groundwater Pollution Sources in Tropical Savanna

10.22541/au.161475940.04316537/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Abduljalal Abdulsalam ◽

Mohammad Ramli ◽

Nor Jamil ◽

Zulfa Ashaari ◽

Da’u Umar

Keyword(s):

Groundwater Quality ◽

Groundwater Pollution ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Principal Component ◽

Hierarchical Cluster ◽

Pollution Sources ◽

Water Type ◽

Multivariate Statistical ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Anthropogenic Processes

Groundwater pollution of the watershed is mainly influenced by the multifaceted interactions of geogenic and anthropogenic processes. In this study, classic chemical and multivariate statistical methods were used to assess the groundwater quality and identify the potential pollution sources affecting the groundwater quality of Galma sub-watershed in a tropical savannah. For this purpose, the dataset of 18 groundwater quality variables covering 57 different sampling boreholes (BH) was used. The order of abundance of the main cations and anions in the samples are Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ and HCO3− > Cl− > SO4−2 > NO3− respectively. Piper diagram classified the groundwater types of the watershed into mixed Ca–Mg–Cl type of water, which means no cations and anions exceeds 50%. The second dominant water type was Ca–Cl. The Mg–HCO3 water type was found in BH 9, and Na–Cl water type in BH 29 respectively. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the sampling boreholes into five statistically significant clusters based on similarities of groundwater quality characteristics. Principal component extracted two principal components that explained around 65% of the total variance, which natural and anthropogenic processes especially agricultural activities as the dominant factors affecting the groundwater quality. The findings of this study are useful to the policy and decision-makers for formulating efficient groundwater utilization and management plans for the groundwater resources.

Download Full-text

Quality Appraisal of Groundwater in Arid Regions Using Probabilistic and Deterministic Approaches

Environmental and Engineering Geoscience ◽

10.2113/eeg-2240 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 331-344

Author(s):

Milad Ebrahimi ◽

Hamidreza Kazemi ◽

Majid Ehteshami ◽

Thomas D. Rockaway

Keyword(s):

Groundwater Quality ◽

Arid Regions ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Effective Means ◽

Probabilistic Approach ◽

Principal Component ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Deterministic Approach ◽

Climate Conditions

ABSTRACT This study explores using probabilistic and deterministic approaches for evaluating the quality of groundwater resources. The proposed methodology first used the probabilistic approach, which included multivariate statistical analysis, to classify the groundwater's physiochemical characteristics. Then, building on the obtained results, the deterministic approach, which included hydrochemistry analyses, was applied for comprehensive assessment of groundwater quality for different applications. To present this multidisciplinary approach, a basin located in an arid region was studied. Considering the results from correlation and principal component analyses, along with hierarchical Q-mode cluster analysis, chloride salts dissolution was identified within the aquifer. Further application of the deterministic approach revealed degradation of groundwater quality throughout the basin, possibly due to the saltwater intrusion. By developing the water quality index and a multi-hazard risk assessment methodology, the suitability of groundwater for human consumption and irrigation purposes was assessed. The obtained results were compared with two other studies conducted on aquifers under similar arid climate conditions. This comparison indicated that quality of groundwater resources within arid regions is prone to degradation from salinization. The combined consideration of probabilistic and deterministic approaches provided an effective means for comprehensive evaluation of groundwater quality across different aquifers or within one.

Download Full-text

Effect of Modified Septic Tank on Groundwater Quality around Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, South-west Nigeria

Applied Environmental Research ◽

10.35762/aer.2021.43.1.6 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 73-89

Author(s):

Kofoworola Olatunde ◽

Modupe Sarumi ◽

Sadiq Abdulsalaam ◽

Babatunde Bada ◽

Funmilola Oyebanji

Keyword(s):

Groundwater Quality ◽

Major Ions ◽

Principal Component ◽

Septic Tank ◽

E Coli ◽

Septic Tanks ◽

Management Measures ◽

Standard Procedures ◽

Groundwater Samples ◽

Dug Wells

Groundwater forms a very important part of the water supply chain and its quality can be affected by improperly constructed septic tanks used by homeowners in peri-urban locations such as Abeokuta in recent times. Sixty groundwater samples collected from hand-dug wells ≤15m from septic tanks were analysed for physicochemical and bacteriological parameters using standard procedures. Results were integrated with multivariate and hydrogeochemical analyses to assess the effect improperly built septic tanks have on groundwater quality around the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. The range of values for the measured parameters include: pH (6.26 – 8.66), EC (83 – 1035 μS cm-1), TDS (42 – 621 mg L-1), Mg2+ (2 – 60 mg L-1), NO3- (5.09 – 17 mg L-1), Fe (-.04 – 5.32 mg L-1), BOD (0.1 – 13.2) and E. Coli (ND – 41×10 cfu mL-1). The abundance of major ions are in the order Ca2+˃Mg2+˃K+˃ Na+ and Cl- ˃SO42- >HCO3- >NO3- ˃PO42-. The piper trilinear plot shows that the dominant hydrochemical facies in the study area is the Ca2+–Cl- type. A correlation analysis and a principal component analysis both reflect intrusions from biological wastes such as surrounding septic tanks or municipal waste disposals as well as dissolutions from basal rocks. The possibility of infiltration from sewage into groundwater is confirmed by the number of samples with high BOD, NO3-, and E. coli concentrations. Contamination of groundwater with sewage exposes the populace to acute excreta-related illness. This therefore calls for stringent monitoring and management measures to be put in place by relevant regulatory authorities to safeguard the human health and environment within the study area.

Download Full-text

Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking and Domestic Purposes through Local Survey and Water Quality Index in Vietnam

Journal of Southwest Jiaotong University ◽

10.35741/issn.0258-2724.56.2.8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 56 (2) ◽

pp. 83-93

Author(s):

Huynh The An ◽

Tran Thi Ngoc Bich ◽

Chen Yi-Ching ◽

Tran Thi Thu Hien

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Groundwater Quality ◽

Water Quality Index ◽

Quality Index ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Total Hardness ◽

Nitrate Content ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Groundwater Exploitation ◽

Groundwater Samples

The quality of groundwater resources is increasingly declining, significantly affecting people’s life and health. The study aims to assess public perception on existing groundwater quality and scheme over conventionally used free groundwater. The contemporaneous analytical procedures applied to determine the concentration of physical parameters: total dissolved solids and total solids and chemical parameters: pH, nitrite (N-NO2-), nitrate (N- NO3-), ammonium (N-NH4+/ NH3), iron (FeII + III) and total hardness were collected for 30 drinking water well samples located in 5 Quarters (An Hoa, An Loi, Ben Don, Phu Hoa, and Phu Nghi) to calculate the water quality index. The results show that up to 96% of people still use groundwater as their main source of drinking, domestic purposes, although groundwater quality is showing a serious decline in quality. The low pH index ranges from 3.0 ÷ 4.5. On average, 3.5 ÷ 4.0 pH of groundwater samples are outside the permissible limit according to VN standards 09: 2015 (5.5 - 8.5), which makes the water acidic, which harmful to human health. Besides, 10% of groundwater samples had high nitrate content, and 6.67% of water samples had ammonium content that did not meet VN standards 09: 2015. The current state of groundwater quality is not good for cooking and drinking. The results will benefit future groundwater exploitation to support more evidence of water quality and deteriorate the water quality soon, ultimately proving to be disastrous for all living beings in the region.

Download Full-text

Groundwater quality assessment using principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis in Alaçam, Turkey

Water Science & Technology Water Supply ◽

10.2166/ws.2021.390 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Mehmet Taşan ◽

Yusuf Demir ◽

Sevda Taşan

Keyword(s):

Principal Component Analysis ◽

Cluster Analysis ◽

Groundwater Quality ◽

Seawater Intrusion ◽

Hierarchical Cluster Analysis ◽

Principal Component ◽

Hierarchical Cluster ◽

Component Analysis ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Multivariate Statistical

Abstract This study assessed groundwater quality in Alaçam, where irrigations are performed solely with groundwaters and samples were taken from 35 groundwater wells at pre and post irrigation seasons in 2014. Samples were analyzed for 18 water quality parameters. SAR, RSC and %Na values were calculated to examine the suitability of groundwater for irrigation. Hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis were used to assess the groundwater quality parameters. The average EC value of groundwater in the pre-irrigation period was 1.21 dS/m and 1.30 dS/m after irrigation in the study area. It was determined that there were problems in two wells pre-irrigation and one well post-irrigation in terms of RSC, while there was no problem in the wells in terms of SAR. Piper diagram and cluster analysis showed that most groundwaters had CaHCO3 type water characteristics and only 3% was NaCl- as the predominant type. Seawater intrusion was identified as the primary factor influencing groundwater quality. Multivariate statistical analyses to evaluate polluting sources revealed that groundwater quality is affected by seawater intrusion, ion exchange, mineral dissolution and anthropogenic factors. The use of multivariate statistical methods and geographic information systems to manage water resources will be beneficial for both planners and decision-makers.

Download Full-text

Water quality assessment and geochemical processes in the unconfined coastal Boa Viagem Aquifer, Recife, NE Brazil

Geochimica Brasiliensis ◽

10.21715/gb2358-2812.2021351056 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 56-77

Author(s):

Thyego Silva ◽

Mariucha Lima ◽

Teresa Leitão ◽

Tiago Martins ◽

Mateus Albuquerque

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Quality Assessment ◽

Principal Component ◽

Hierarchical Cluster ◽

Water Quality Assessment ◽

Multivariate Statistical Analyses ◽

Multivariate Statistical ◽

Rock Interaction ◽

Groundwater Samples ◽

Water Rock Interaction

A hydrochemical study was conducted on the Quaternary Aquifer, in Recife, Brazil. Groundwater samples were collected in March–April 2015, at the beginning of the rainy season. Conventional graphics, ionic ratios, saturation indices, GIS mapping, and geostatistical and multivariate statistical analyses were used to water quality assessment and to characterize the main hydrochemical processes controlling groundwater’s chemistry. Q-mode hierarchical cluster analysis separated the samples into three clusters and five sub-clusters according to their hydrochemical similarities and facies. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to the studied groundwater samples where a three-factor model explains 80% of the total variation within the dataset. The PCA results revealed the influence of seawater intrusion, water-rock interaction, and nitrate contamination. The physico-chemical parameters of ~30% groundwaters exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for drinking water quality. Nitrate was found at a concentration >10 mg NO3−/L in ~21% of the wells and exceeded WHO reference values in one. The integrated approach indicates the occurrence of the main major hydrogeochemical processes occurring in the shallow marine to alluvial aquifer as follow: 1) progressive freshening of remaining paleo-seawater accompanying cation exchange on fine sediments, 2) water-rock interaction (i.e., dissolution of silicates), and 3) point and diffuse wastewater contamination, and sulfate dissolution. This study successfully highlights the use of classical geochemical methods, GIS techniques, and multivariate statistical analyses (hierarchical cluster and principal component analyses) as complementary tools to understand hydrogeochemical processes and their influence on groundwater quality status to management actions, which could be used in similar alluvial coastal aquifers.

Download Full-text

Ecological monitoring of livestock complexes on groundwater quality (on the example of the pig breeding farm № 11 JV LLC "Nyva Pereiaslavschyny")

Biological Systems: Theory and Innovation ◽

10.31548/biologiya2021.01.005 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

V. Serdiuk ◽

◽

V. Maksin ◽

Keyword(s):

Groundwater Quality ◽

Water Samples ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Modern Approach ◽

Protection Zone ◽

Quality Of Water ◽

The Impact

Agriculture, especially livestock, is rated as one of the most polluting industries in the world. In the other hand there is a modern approach to the technology implementation, and is this true that with its usage the impact on the environment is so critical and inevitably leads to environmental catastrophe. It is important to investigate and scientifically substantiate the impact of modern livestock complexes on the environment, especially on groundwater resources objectively,. And only after a number of studies conducted on pig farms with a capacity of 30 and 50 thousand heads per year it would be possible to determine next: is livestock an object of ultra-intensive pollution, or it is an object that does not have a significant negative impact on the environment and is also an economic and food lever of the country. The research was conducted on the example of the company JV LLC "NYVA PEREIASLAVSCHYNY" that is located in two districts of Kyiv region – Brovarskyi and Boryspilskyi. The sanitary protection zone size is 1500 meters to the nearest residential development (MINISTRY OF HEALTH OF UKRAINE, 1996). Projects to reduce the sanitary protection zone have not been developed as there is no need for it. Research of water quality was performed according to State Sanitary Regulations and Rules “Hygienic Requirements to Quality of Water Intended for Human Consumption” “2.2.4-171-10” (State Water Agency of Ukraine, 2010). It was conducted on samples that were taken from 4 artesian wells that are located on the territory of the pig breeding farm № 11. The aim of the research is to identify the impact of the pig breeding farm’s № 11 activity on the underground aquifer and surface water body. To reach this target water samples were collected according to the requirements established in the conclusion on environmental impact assessment from wells in the villages and river. Studies that were conducted during 2020 showed that the quality of water in wells meets the requirements for drinking water. Water samples from wells and ponds showed deviations from the norm up to 10 times. Previous studies did not set a negative impact of the pig breeding farm № 11 on groundwater quality.

Download Full-text

Aquifer recharge for securing water resources: the experience in Llobregat river

Water Science & Technology ◽

10.2166/wst.2011.036 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 63 (2) ◽

pp. 220-226 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

M. Hernández ◽

J. Tobella ◽

F. Ortuño ◽

J. Ll. Armenter

Keyword(s):

Groundwater Quality ◽

Seawater Intrusion ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Aquifer Recharge ◽

Efficient Management ◽

Additional Barrier ◽

Llobregat River ◽

Llobregat Delta ◽

Aquifer Overexploitation ◽

Purification Of Water

The Llobregat Delta Aquifer has historically been a strategic water supply resource to the Barcelona metropolitan area. The use of river water combined with the exploitation of groundwater resources during dry periods has enabled the demographic and economic growth of the Barcelona area during the last fifty years. The aquifer overexploitation has entailed the decrease of groundwater level and the penetration inland of seawater intrusion. The main consequences have been the salinization of several wells and the deterioration of the groundwater quality. In this context, aquifer recharge has been practiced during nearly 40 years with the following objectives: (i) storing excess of water for times of less water availability, (ii) introducing an additional barrier for purification of water for a specific use and (iii) preventing the degradation of groundwater resources due to overexploitation or seawater intrusion. These methods, jointly with an efficient management of well extractions, have enabled to recover groundwater quality and therefore to guarantee the sustainable exploitation of such a vulnerable aquifer.

Download Full-text

The groundwater quality of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao: a hydrogeochemical study

Netherlands Journal of Geosciences – Geologie en Mijnbouw ◽

10.1017/s0016774600021958 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 79 (4) ◽

pp. 459-466 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

M.H.G. van Sambeek ◽

H.G.M. Eggenkamp ◽

M.J.M. Vissers

Keyword(s):

Groundwater Quality ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Isotope Composition ◽

Groundwater Resources ◽

Agricultural Waste ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Anthropogenic Influences ◽

Calcite Dissolution ◽

Caribbean Islands ◽

Groundwater Samples

AbstractThe Groundwater resources on the Caribbean Islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao are limited and of poor quality. The groundwater of the islands is brackish, due to both seawater mixing and the semi-arid climate of the islands. Two hundred and thirty water samples were collected to relate chemical variations in the groundwater of the three islands to the underlying differences in geology, and to define the natural versus anthropogenic influences. Both the chemical and isotopic (δ180, δD, and δ37Cl) compositions of samples were determined.Several geochemical processes are recognised in the chemistry of the groundwater samples. The most important processes are calcite dissolution, cation exchange, silicate weathering and potassium fixation. In (sub)urban areas anthropogenic influences affect the groundwater quality: high nitrate concentrations were measured. Infiltrating domestic and agricultural (waste)water replenishes the aquifer, and has a desalinization effect on the groundwater quality. This phenomenon is primarily seen on Curaçao, the most populated island.Oxygen and hydrogen isotopie compositions of groundwaters from Curaçao and Bonaire show that the samples are either meteoric water, or are affected by evaporation or seawater mixing. No distinction could be made between the last two processes. Only a few samples were measured for the Cl-isotope composition; all showed that no physical processes have taken place.

Download Full-text

Integration of multivariate statistics and water quality indices to evaluate groundwater quality and its suitability in middle Gangetic floodplain, Bihar

SN Applied Sciences ◽

10.1007/s42452-021-04394-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Ajay Govind Bhatt ◽

Anand Kumar ◽

Priya Ranjan Trivedi

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Groundwater Quality ◽

Major Ions ◽

Anthropogenic Activities ◽

Hierarchical Cluster ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Health Concern ◽

Water Type ◽

Groundwater Samples ◽

Group 2

AbstractThis study is conducted along the middle Gangetic floodplain, to investigate the hydrogeochemical characteristics and suitability of groundwater for irrigation and human consumptions. Altogether 65 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major ions and water quality parameters. pH of all the samples except 1 is found > 7, which suggests alkaline aquifer condition. Groundwater samples predominately belong to Ca-Mg-HCO3 water type followed by Na-HCO3, Mg-HCO3 and Mg-SO4 water types. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) combines groundwater into two distinct groups, Group 1 is found as less mineralized as the average EC value is found 625.3 μS/cm, while it is found 1375 μS/cm for Group 2. The results of correlation analysis and PCA suggest influence of natural and anthropogenic activities on groundwater. PCA extracts four major PCs which describes 71.7% of total variance. PC1 indicates influence of both lithogenic and anthropogenic activities on groundwater quality. PC2 and PC3 infer natural factors, and PC4 suggests influence of anthropogenic activities on groundwater. Exceeding concentration of F−, Fe and Mn above WHO guidelines are found as major public health concern. WQI of all except 4 groundwater samples suggests excellent to good water quality; however, 23% of the samples are not suitable based on WPI values. Irrigation indices suggest that groundwater is mostly suitable for irrigation; however, 10.7%, 12.3% and 3% samples for RSBC, MAR and KR, respectively, exceed the recommended limits and are unsuitable for irrigation. A proper management strategy and quality assurance is recommended before groundwater consumption and use in the study area.

Download Full-text