Abstract
Geochemical processes were identified as controlling factors of groundwater chemistry, including chemical weathering, salinization from seawater and dry sea-salt deposition, nitrate contamination, and rainfall recharge. These geochemical processes were identified using principal component analysis of major element chemistry of groundwater from basaltic aquifers in Jeju Island, South Korea, a volcanic island with intense agricultural activities. The contribution of the geochemical processes to groundwater chemistry was quantified by a simple mass-balance approach. The geochemical effects due to seawater were considered based on Cl contributions, whereas the effects due to natural chemical weathering were based on alkalinity. Nitrogenous fertilizers, and especially the associated nitrification processes, appear to significantly affect groundwater chemistry. A strong correlation was observed between Na, Mg, Ca, SO4 and Cl, and nitrate concentrations in groundwater. Correspondingly, the total major cations, Cl, and SO4 in groundwater were assessed to estimate relative effect of N-fertilizer use on groundwater chemistry. Cl originates more from nitrate sources than from seawater, whereas SO4 originates mostly from rainwater. N-fertilizer use has shown the greatest effect on groundwater chemistry, particularly when nitrate concentrations exceed 6–7 mg/L NO3–N. Nitrate contamination significantly affects groundwater quality and 18% of groundwater samples have contamination-dominated chemistry.
Resumen
Se identificaron los procesos geoquímicos como factores que controlan la química del agua subterránea, incluyendo la meteorización química, la salinizacion del agua de mar y la depositación de sal seca de mar, junto con la contaminación del nitrato y la recarga de lluvia. Estos procesos se identificaron usando el análisis del componente principal, de los elementos químicos mayores del agua subterránea, en los acuíferos basálticos en la Isla de Jeju, Corea del Sur, una isla volcánica con intensas actividades agrícolas. La contribución de los procesos geoquímicos, a la química del agua subterránea, se cuantificó por un método de balance de masa simple. Los efectos geoquímicos debidos al agua de mar fueron considerados con base en las contribuciones de Cl, mientras que los efectos debidos a la meteorización química natural fueron basados en la alcalinidad. Los fertilizantes nitrogenados, y sobre todo los procesos de nitrificación asociados, parecen afectar la química del agua subterránea significativamente. Una correlación fuerte se observó entre Na, Mg, Ca, SO4 y Cl, y las concentraciones del nitrato en el agua subterránea. Correspondientemente, se evaluaron los cationes mayores totales, Cl, y SO4 en el agua subterránea, para estimar efecto relativo del uso de fertilizante-N en la química del agua subterránea. El Cl se origina más de las fuentes del nitrato que del agua marina, mientras que el SO4 se origina principalmente del agua lluvia. El uso de fertilizante-N ha mostrado el más grande efecto en la química del agua subterránea, particularmente cuando las concentraciones del nitrato exceden 6–7 mg/L NO3–N. La contaminación del nitrato afecta significativamente la calidad del agua subterránea y 18% de muestras del agua subterránea tienen una química dominada por la contaminación.
Résumé
Des processus géochimiques ont été identifiés comme des facteurs contrôlant la chimie de l’eau souterraine, et notamment l’érosion chimique, la salinisation causée par l’eau de mer et le dépôt sec du sel de mer, ainsi que la contamination par les nitrates et la recharge par la pluie. Ces processus ont été identifiés en utilisant l’analyse à composantes principales des éléments majeurs de la composition chimique de l’eau souterraine d’un aquifère basaltique de l’île de Jeju au sud de la Corée, une île volcanique présentant des activités agricoles intenses. La contribution des processus géochimiques dans la composition chimique de l’eau souterraine a été quantifiée par une simple approche de bilan de masse. Les effets géochimiques liés à l’eau de mer ont été identifiés en se basant sur la part du Cl, tandis que les effets associés à l’altération chimique naturelle étaient basés sur l’alcalinité. Les engrais azotés et plus particulièrement les processus de nitrification associés, se révèlent affecter très fortement la composition chimique de l’eau souterraine. Une forte corrélation a été observée entre le Na, Mg, Ca, SO4 et Cl, et les concentrations en nitrate dans l’eau souterraine. En conséquence, les cations majeurs totaux dans l’eau souterraine, Cl et SO4 ont été évalué pour estimer l’effet relatif de l’utilisation d’engrais azoté sur la chimie de l’eau souterraine. Le Cl provient plus des sources de nitrates que de l’eau de mer, alors que le SO4 provient principalement de la pluie. L’utilisation d’engrais azoté induit l’effet le plus important sur la composition chimique de l’eau souterraine, particulièrement quand les concentrations en nitrate dépassent 6–7 mg/L de NO3–N. La contamination par les nitrates affecte significativement la qualité de l’eau souterraine et 18% des échantillons d’eau souterraine présentent une chimie dominée par cette contamination.
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Acknowledgements
This research was supported by a grant (code 3-2-2) from Sustainable Water Resources Research Center of 21st Century Frontier Research Program. We thank H.J. Sung and C.H. Kang (KIGAM) for their assistance with the collection of groundwater samples. The local managers of the sampled wells are also thanked for allowing access to the wells. The geologic map was based on the unpublished data of Dr. Ki-Hwa Park (KIGAM), who provided these data.
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Koh, DC., Ko, KS., Kim, Y. et al. Effect of agricultural land use on the chemistry of groundwater from basaltic aquifers, Jeju Island, South Korea. Hydrogeol J 15, 727–743 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0142-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0142-0