HYDROGEOCHEMISTRY AND

GROUND WATER QUALITY

Submitted by: Bilal Ahmad Sarwar

Roll No. PGLF19M010

MR. ABDUL HANAN

APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
Department of Earth Science.
University of Sargodha, Sargodha.
 Table of Content

Abstract………………………………………………………………………...…. 2
1. Introduction………………….………………………………………….…….... 3
2. Structure of water….……………………………….………………….……….. 4
3. Chemical composition of groundwater………………………………..………... 5
4. Factors effecting the groundwater quality……………………………..……….. 6
4.1. Influence of geologic factors…………………………………………... 6
4.2. Effect of climate…………………………………………………….…. 7
4.3 Anthropogenic influence …………………………………………….… 7
Conclusion…………………………………………………………………….…... 8
References………………………………………………………………….……... 9

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 Abstract

Groundwater is a vital source for mankind to survive. And the safety and
quality insurance of this source is very serious issue especially when more than 85%
population rely on it. For understand the quality of groundwater, hydro geochemistry
should be the main aspect. The aim of this term paper is to study about chemistry if
ground water and quality assessment.

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Introduction

Groundwater occurs almost everywhere beneath the earth surface not in a

single widespread aquifer but in thousands of local aquifer systems and
compartments that have similar characters (Vasanthavigar et al. 2012). Groundwater
plays a significant role in providing water supply for drinking, crop irrigation,
industry, and construction, with an estimated 2.5 billion people relying on it globally
(Connor 2015). It also serves to maintain the ecosystem and ensure food security
(UNESCO 2012).

It has been discovered that various natural processes, such as dissolution–

precipitation (Amiri et al. 2015), oxidation–reduction (Rao et al. 2012), adsorption–
desorption (Isa et al. 2012), and physical processes including evaporation, mixing,
and dispersion (Polemio et al. 2006), as well as anthropogenic activities, determine
the groundwater chemistry (Giridharan et al. 2008). Groundwater quality depends
on the quality of recharged water, atmospheric precipitation, inland surface water,
and on sub-surface geochemical processes (Vasanthavigar et al.
2012).Determination of physical, chemical and bacteriological quality of water is
essential for assessing its suitability for various purposes like drinking, domestic,
agricultural and industrial uses (TM Manjusree et al.2009). During the past decades,
reports of groundwater contamination have increased public concern about
groundwater quality (Yanggen and Born, 1990).

A knowledge on hydro-geochemical processes that control its chemical

composition leads to improved understanding of hydro-chemical systems and this
can contribute to effective management and utilization of the groundwater resource
by clarifying relations among many hydrogeological parameters (T. M.
MANJUSREE et al. 2009). The investigation and assessment of groundwater
chemistry and quality is a hot topic worldwide, triggering international attention
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from both researchers and policy makers due to its relevant link with environmental
objectives and regional development (Peiyue Li et al.2014).

Structure of water

Water is a highly reactive substance having a great capacity to dissolve solids,

liquids and gases. Physical and chemical characteristics of natural waters depend on
several factors such as the lithology of the geological strata in which groundwater is
flowing, time of residence of water in the aquifer, and environmental conditions
(Candela, L., & Morell, I. 2009). The chemical composition of natural water is
derived from many sources of solutes from the atmosphere, weathering of rocks and
soil, chemical reactions occurring below the land surface and effects resulting from
human activity (Candela, L., & Morell, I. 2009).

Major constituents (concentration in water greater than 5 mg/l) are commonly

referred to as major ions: Na+ , Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl- , HCO3- , SO4^2- (Candela, L., &
Morell, I. 2009). The total concentration of these six major ions normally comprises
more than 90% of the total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water, regardless of whether
the water is dilute or has salinity greater than seawater. (Candela, L., & Morell, I.
2009).

Major constituents Minor constituents

(greater than 5mg/l) (0.001-5.0 mg/l)
Bicarbonate Silicon Boron Nitrate

Calcium Sodium Carbonate Potassium

Chloride Sulfate Fluoride Strontium

Magnesium Carbonic acid Iron

Table 1. Dissolved in organic constituents in ground water

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Chemical composition of ground water

Physical and chemical characteristics of groundwater depend on both natural

factors (such as lithology, velocity, geochemical reactions, solubility of salts, and
the quality of recharge water) and anthropogenic activities such as agriculture,
industry, etc (chen J. et al. 2019)

The variation of major elements in the groundwater can be controlled by

cation exchanges, dissolution and precipitation of minerals, evaporation and
oxidation- reduction reactions(MH El-Sayed et al. 2012). Generally, minerals are
not soluble species, but their solubility may increase depending on the presence of
CO2 in water (Candela, L., & Morell, I. 2009). CO2 comes from the soil where
organic matter oxidize.

The major dissolved components of groundwater include the anions

bicarbonate, chloride and sulphate, and the cations sodium, calcium, magnesium and
potassium. These constituents are typically present at concentrations in the range of
a few mg/L to several hundred mg/L.

As groundwater moves along its flowpaths in the saturated zone, increases of

TDS and most of the major ions normally occur (Candela, L., & Morell, I. 2009). It
has been observed that shallow groundwater in recharge areas is lower in dissolved

solids that water in shallow zones in the discharge areas. Groundwater tends
chemically toward the composition of seawater.

Where ⇒ represents increasing age (residence time) (Candela, L., & Morell, I.
2009).

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Factors effecting the groundwater quality

Groundwater quality depends on the quality of recharged water, atmospheric

precipitation, inland surface water and on subsurface geochemical processes.
Temporal changes in the origin and constitution of the recharged water, hydrologic
and human factors may cause periodic changes in groundwater quality (kumar S K.
2014).

The main factors that make an underground water source vulnerable are:

i) the characteristics of the soil and its filtration capacity, which can promote or
hinder the diffusion of environmental contaminants;
ii) The climate change, which in recent years has made the natural replenishment
of aquifers increasingly critical;
iii) The strong anthropic pressure that leads to considerable exploitation of water
resources, contributing to reduced availability and the progressive
deterioration of water quality (O De Giglio et al. 2015).

Influence of geological factors

Mechanical characteristics (including the degree of fracturing, particle size,

and porosity) and on its chemical and physical composition (including the presence
of clay, soluble organic substances, cations, and pH) (O De Giglio et al. 2015).

Contamination is more frequently detected in sedimentary rock than in

igneous or metamorphic rock (Atherholt, T. B. et al. 2013) Several microorganisms
may be adsorbed and remain in the soil for a long time; these are affected by sunlight,
temperature, moisture, and organic matter. For example, clay soils, which contain
hematite and magnetite, promote the adsorption of viruses (Bitton, G. & Harvey R.
W. (1992).

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Effect of climate
Seasonal variation and climatic factors affect the quality and quantity of
groundwater (Idoko, O. M. 2010). Changes in groundwater recharge rate caused by
seasonal variation also affect the concentration of water parameters (De Giglio et al.
2015). Under normal environmental conditions (for example, in the absence of heavy
rain) microorganisms are retained efficiently by the soil and are only detectable in
trace amounts in groundwater. Serious weather events, including high-intensity rain
or drought, can greatly influence the water quality (Tornevi, A. et al. 2014),
contributing to the dissemination of pathogenic microorganisms to geographic areas
in which they were previously absent. In certain regions, recent climate changes have
led to a “tropicalization” of rain consisting of uneven rainfall distribution throughout
the year and large and intense rains. As a result, gastrointestinal diseases are
increasing, depending on temperature and soil overflow, causing the contamination
of coastal waters and inland surfaces water (Kim, J. Y. et al. 2013).

Anthropogenic influence

Human activities can cause contamination of aquifers, resulting both from

industrial activities (including uncontrolled discharges of potentially toxic chemical
substances, processing residues, and waste) and agricultural activities (including the
use of herbicides, antiparasitics, and pesticides) (Huang, G et al. 2013). In particular,
intensive agriculture is often inadequate for the characteristics of the area and the
chosen produce, creating a substantial increase of nitrates, which are usually present
in low quantities in groundwater (Widory, D. et al 2004). Although nitrogen is a vital
nutritive element for the growth of plants, it can be harmful to humans and to the
environment in high concentrations.

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Conclusion

Water is an important resource for human civilization and environmental

needs, and for life on Earth. Groundwater availability varies geographically and
temporally. Increasing groundwater exploitation is affected by anthropogenic
impacts on coastal environments and is responsible for severe health and food
security issues. An integrated approach to water management is recommended to
address current water challenges, which are often interrelated with other
environmental, economic and social issues.

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