Abstract
Major ion geochemistry reveals that the hydrochemical evolutionary process of karst groundwater in the northeastern Huaibei Plain, China, consists of three sub-processes: the dissolution of dolomite, gypsum dissolution with dedolomitization, and mixing with overlying pore water. Understanding hydrochemical evolution has been an important topic in understanding the history, status, and dynamics of the groundwater flow system. The presented study found a hydrochemical boundary roughly corresponding to the thickness of overlying strata equating to 50 m depth, indicating two flow compartments participating in different hydrological cycles—a local shallow rapidly replenished compartment showing lower and more stable main ion concentrations, and a regional deep-flow compartment showing higher and sporadic concentrations of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl− and SO42−, as well as high total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness, and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). In areas with aquifers with low water transmitting ability, groundwater samples show a high chloride ratio and elevated TDS values, indicating salinization of groundwater due to stagnant water flows. Analyses of the data on the saturation indexes and mineral solutions, in tandem with trilinear diagram analysis and petrological observations, indicate that dedolomitization is the dominant process controlling the chemical characteristics of karst groundwater in the study area. Groundwater and pore-water mixing was also observed at the later evolutionary stage of groundwater flow, demonstrating frequent groundwater/pore-water interactions where groundwater is recharged by pore water due to lower groundwater level in the study area.
Résumé
La géochimie des ions majeurs révèle que le processus évolutif hydrochimique des eaux souterraines karstiques dans le nord-est de la plaine Huaibei, en Chine, se compose de trois sous-processus: la dissolution de la dolomite, la dissolution du gypse avec une dé-dolomitisation, et le mélange avec de l’eau interstitielle sus-jacente. La compréhension de l’évolution hydrochimique est. un sujet important pour comprendre l’origine, l’état et la dynamique des systèmes d’écoulements d’eaux souterraines. La présente étude a révélé qu’une limite hydrochimique correspond à peu près à l’épaisseur des couches géologiques sus-jacentes, soit 50 m de profondeur; cela indique que deux compartiments d’écoulement participent à différents cycles hydrologiques – un compartiment local peu profond reconstitué rapidement indiquant des concentrations plus faibles et plus stables en ions majeurs, et un compartiment régional profond montrant des concentrations plus élevées et sporadiques des ions Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl− et SO42−, ainsi que des solides dissous totaux élevés (TDS) Tout comme la dureté et le rapport d’adsorption du sodium (RAS). Dans les zones où les aquifères ont une faible transmissivité, les échantillons d’eaux souterraines montrent un rapport en chlorures élevé ainsi que des valeurs élevées de TDS, indiquant une salinisation des eaux souterraines due à des faibles écoulements d’eau proche de la stagnation. Les analyses des données concernant les indices de saturation et les solutions minérales, combinées aux analyses des diagrammes triangulaires et aux observations pétrologiques, indiquent que la dé-dolomitisation est. le processus dominant qui contrôle les caractéristiques chimiques des eaux souterraines karstiques dans la région d’étude. Un mélange d’eaux souterraines et d’eau interstitielle a été observé pour le stade ultime d’évolution des écoulements d’eaux souterraines, démontrant des interactions fréquentes entre les eaux souterraines et les eaux interstitielles, lorsque l’aquifère est. rechargé par des eaux interstitielles en raison d’un niveau piézométrique inférieur dans la zone d’étude.
Resumen
La geoquímica de los iones mayoritarios revela que el proceso hidroquímico evolutivo del agua subterránea kárstica en el noreste de Huaibei Plain, China, consta de tres subprocesos: la disolución de la dolomita, la disolución del yeso con dedolomitización y la mezcla con el agua intersticial subyacente. Comprender la evolución hidroquímica ha sido un tema importante para comprender la historia, el estado y la dinámica del sistema de flujo de agua subterránea. El estudio presentado encontró un límite hidroquímico que corresponde aproximadamente al espesor de los estratos suprayacentes que equivalen a 50 m de profundidad, indicando dos compartimientos de flujo que participan en diferentes ciclos hidrológicos: un compartimiento poco profundo que se alimenta localmente mostrando concentraciones de iones mayoritarias más bajas y estables, y un compartimento de flujo profundo regional que muestra concentraciones más altas y esporádicas de Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl− and SO42, así como altos sólidos disueltos totales (TDS), dureza total y relación de adsorción de sodio (SAR). En áreas con acuíferos con poca capacidad de transmisión de agua, las muestras de agua subterránea muestran una alta proporción de cloruro y valores elevados de TDS, lo que indica la salinización del agua subterránea debido al estancamiento de los flujos de agua. Los análisis de los datos sobre los índices de saturación y las soluciones minerales, en conjunto con el análisis del diagrama trilineal y las observaciones petrológicas, indican que la dedolomitización es el proceso dominante que controla las características químicas del agua subterránea kárstica en el área de estudio. También se observó la mezcla de agua subterránea y poral en la última etapa evolutiva del flujo de agua subterránea, demostrando interacciones frecuentes de agua subterránea/agua poral donde el agua subterránea se recarga con agua intersticial debido al nivel más bajo del agua subterránea en el área de estudio.
摘要
主要离子地球化学揭示,中国淮北东北部岩溶地下水的水化学演化过程有三个子过程组成:白云岩的溶解、去白云岩化的石膏溶解以及与上覆孔隙水的混合。了解水化学演化已经成为了解地下水流系统的历史、现状和动力学的重要课题。所进行的研究发现水化学边界大致与上覆的地层厚度一致,相当于50米的深度,表明两个水流隔间参与了不同的水文循环—一个局部的浅层快速充满水的隔间,显示出较低和较稳定的主要离子浓度;另一个区域深层水流隔间,显示Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl− 和 SO42−较高和分散的浓度,以及很高的溶解固体总量、总硬度和钠吸附比值。在含水层输水能力较低的地方,地下水水样显示出很高的氯化物比值和升高的溶解固体总量,表明由于水流滞留地下水出现盐化作用。饱和指数和矿物溶液数据分析以及三线图标分析和岩石观测结果表明,去白云岩化是控制研究区岩溶地下水化学特征的主要过程。在地下水流演化后期还观测到地下水和孔隙水的混合,证明在研究区由于地下水位较低地下水由孔隙水补给的地方,存在着频繁的地下水/孔隙水相互作用。
Resumo
A geoquímica dos íons principais revela que o processo evolutivo geoquímico da água subterrânea cárstica no nordeste da Planície de Huaibei, China, consiste em três subprocessos: a dissolução de dolomita, a dissolução de gesso com dedolomitização e a mistura com a água dos poros. A compreensão da evolução hidroquímica tem sido um tópico importante na compreensão da história, status e dinâmica do sistema de fluxo de água subterrânea. O estudo apresentado encontrou um limite hidroquímico que corresponde aproximadamente à espessura dos estratos sobrepostos que equivale a 50 m de profundidade, indicando dois compartimentos de fluxo participando em diferentes ciclos hidrológicos - um compartimento local raso rapidamente reabastecido mostrando concentrações de íons principais mais baixas e mais estáveis, e um compartimento de fluxo regional profundo mostrando concentrações maiores e esporádicas de Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl− e SO42−, assim como altos sólidos dissolvidos totais (SDT), dureza total, e razão de absorção de sódio (RAS). Em áreas com aquíferos com baixa capacidade de transmissão de água, as amostras de água subterrânea mostram uma alta taxa de cloreto e elevados valores de SDT, indicando salinização das águas subterrâneas devido aos fluxos de água estagnados. Análises dos dados sobre os índices de saturação e soluções minerais, em conjunto com a análise de diagramas trilineares e observações petrológicas, indicam que a dedolomitização é o processo dominante que controla as características químicas das águas subterrâneas cársticas na área de estudo. A mistura de águas subterrâneas e água de poro também foi observada no estágio evolutivo posterior do fluxo de águas subterrâneas, demonstrando interações frequentes de água subterrânea/água de poro onde a água subterrânea é recarregada por água de poro devido ao nível mais baixo da água subterrânea na área de estudo.
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Funding
This study was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 41772250 and 41602256), the Science and Technology Program of Land and Resources of Anhui Province (2012-k-15) and Public Welfare Geological Survey Program of Anhui Province (2015-g-26).
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Published in the special issue “Groundwater sustainability in fast-developing China”
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Qian, J., Peng, Y., Zhao, W. et al. Hydrochemical processes and evolution of karst groundwater in the northeastern Huaibei Plain, China. Hydrogeol J 26, 1721–1729 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1805-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-018-1805-3