Understanding Surface Water-Groundwater Conversion Relationship and Associated Hydrogeochemistry Evolution in the Upper Reaches of Luan River Basin, North China

Abstract

Luan River is the main water source in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, northern China, where the groundwater system is vulnerable and pollution issue is serious. It is significant for regional groundwater resources protection to identify the hydrogeochemistry evolution and affecting factors along flow direction occurred in the upper reaches, especially the surface water-groundwater (SW-GW) conversion relationship. In this study, recharge, conversion and geochemistry evolution of SW and GW were elucidated based on physical-hydrochemical indicators and stable isotopes in 36 GW samples and 20 SW samples, which were collected in July 2019 and July 2020. The factor analysis was further utilized to determine the main factors responsible for regional hydrogeochemical evolution. Results indicate that GW recharged SW in plateau area, and SW and GW recharged each other in typical Alpine valley area. The hydrochemical types are HCO₃⁻Ca·Mg and HCO₃-Ca, and the hydrochemical evolution is dominated by weathering of silicate and carbonate minerals. The cation exchange adsorption has minor impact on groundwater hydrochemistry. The rise of SO₄²⁻ and NO₃⁻ contents in groundwater is related to industrial and agricultural activities. The main controlling factors of SW hydrochemical components included recharge from groundwater, industrial and mining activities, explaining 90.04% of data variance. However, water-rock interaction, agricultural and domestic sewage are responsible for GW quality, accounting for 83.38%.