Hydrochemical Characterization, Controlling Factors and Water Quality of Surface Water in Shandong Province, North China

In this study, 90 surface water samples were collected from Shandong Province (SDP) in the dry and wet seasons and analyzed using statistical analysis, hydrochemical methods and water quality index (WQI). The content of main ions showed seasonal variations, with a higher average value in the dry season than in the wet season. Sampling points exhibiting high contents of the main chemical components were mainly distributed in areas southwest of SDP, north of Weifang, and around Jinan. The saturation index of carbonate minerals was greater than zero, while that of evaporite minerals was less than zero. The hydrochemical characteristics of surface water are mainly dominated by rock weathering as well as cation exchange. In addition, surface water in SDP has significantly been affected by anthropogenic factors. Most of the surface water could be classified as weakly alkaline soft-fresh water, with the hydrochemical types of SO₄·Cl-Ca·Mg and SO₄·Cl-Na. In terms of WQI, 47.88% and 37.88% of the water samples in SDP were classified as poor water in the dry and wet seasons, respectively. On the whole, the water quality is higher in the wet season than in the dry season, and surface water in SDP is generally suitable for agricultural irrigation.