Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment (한국지하수토양환경학회지:지하수토양환경)

Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment (한국지하수토양환경학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Characterization of Nitrate Contamination and Hydrogeochemistry of Groundwater in an Agricultural Area of Northeastern Hongseong

홍성 북동부 농촌 지역 지하수의 질산성 질소 오염과 수리지구화학적 특성

  • Ki, Min-Gyu (Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources) ;
  • Koh, Dong-Chan (Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources) ;
  • Yoon, Heesung (Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources) ;
  • Kim, Hyun-Su (Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Chonbuk National University)
  • Received : 2013.01.14
  • Accepted : 2013.05.28
  • Published : 2013.06.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Spatial and temporal characteristics of nitrate contamination and hydrogeochemical parameters were investigated for springs and surficial and bedrock groundwaters in northeastern part of Hongseong. Two field investigations were conducted at dry and wet seasons in 2011 for 120 sites including measurement of field parameters with chemical analyses of major dissolved constituents. Nitrate concentrations were at background levels in springs while 45% of bedrock groundwater and 49% of surficial groundwater exceeded the drinking water standard of nitrate (10 mg/L as $NO_3$-N). The difference in nitrate concentrations between surficial and bedrock groundwater was statistically insignificant. Cumulative frequency distribution of nitrate concentrations revealed two inflection points of 2 and 16 mg/L as $NO_3$-N. Correlation analysis of hydrogeochemical parameters showed that nitrate had higher correlations with Sr, Mg, Cl, Na, and Ca, in surficial groundwater in both dry and wet season. In contrast, nitrate had much weaker correlations with other hydrogeochemical parameters in bedrock groundwater compared to surficial groundwater and had significant correlations only in wet season. Temporally, nitrate and chloride concentrations decreased and dissolved oxygen (DO) increased from dry season to wet season, which indicates that increased recharge during the wet season affected groundwater quality. Aerobic conditions were predominant for both surficial and bedrock groundwater indicating low natural attenuation potential of nitrate in the aquifers of the study area.

Keywords

References

  1. Appelo, C.A.J. and Postma, D., 1994, Geochemistry, Ground water and Pollution, A. A. Balkema: Rotterdam.
  2. Benefield L.D., Judikins, J.F., and Weand, B.L., 1982, Process Chemistry for Water and Wastewater Treatment, Prentice Hall Inc, Englewood Cliff, New Jersey, 449 p.
  3. Bohlke, J.K., 2002, Groundwater recharge and agricultural contamination, Hydrogeol. J., 10, 153-179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-001-0183-3
  4. Cho, J.C. and Kim, S.J., 2000, Heavy contamination of a subsurface aquifer and a stream by livestock wastewater in a stock farming area, Wonju, Korea, Environ. Pollut., 109(1) 137-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491(99)00230-4
  5. Choo, C.O., Lee, J.K., Lee, C.J., Park, K.H., and Jeong, G.C., 2009, Origin of B, Br and Sr in groundwater from Bukahnmyeon, Yeongcheon, Gyeongbuk province, with emphasis on hydrochemistry, J. of Eng. Geology., 19(2), 235-250.
  6. Christensen, T.H., Poul L. Bjerg, S.A., Banwart, R.J., Heron, G., and Albrechtsen, H.J., 2000, Characterization of redox conditions in groundwater contaminant plumes, J. Contam. Hydrol., 45, 165-241. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-7722(00)00109-1
  7. Clark, I. and Fritz, P., 1997, Environmental Isotopes in Hydrogeology, Lewis Publishers. Boca Raton, 328.
  8. David, T.L., Thomas, C.V., Nedialka, D.N., and Shawn, P.M., 2012, Effects of human activities on karst groundwater geochemistry in a rural area in the Balkans, Appl. Geochem., 27, 1920-1931. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2012.07.003
  9. Drever, I.J., 1988, The Geochemistry of Natural Waters, 2nd ed., Prentice Hall, Engleweed Cliffs.
  10. Drever, I.J., 1997, The Geochemistry of Natural Waters, third ed. Prentice Hall, Engleweed Cliffs.
  11. Fluhler, H., Polomski, J., and Blaser, P., 1982, Retention and movement of Flouoride in soils, J. Environ. Qual., 11(3), 461-468.
  12. Garrels, R.M., 1976, A survey of low temperature water mineral relations. In : Interpretation of environmental isotope and hydrogeochemical data in groundwater hydrology: vienna, International Atomic Energy Agency, p. 65-84.
  13. Hallberg, G.R. and Keeney, D.R., 1993, Nitrate. In: Alley, W.M.(ed.), Regional Groundwater Quality, Van Nostrand Rein-hold, New York, p. 297-322.
  14. Hem, J.D., 1985, Study and interpretation of the chemical characteristics of natural water, USGS Water-Supply, p. 2254.
  15. Helsel, D.R. and Hirsch, R.M., 2002, Hydrologic Analysis and interpretation, Chapter A3 Statistical Methods in Water Resources, Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations of the USGS, 210 p.
  16. Hongseong-gun, 2011, Statistical Yearbook of Hongseong.
  17. Jayalakshmi, D.O., Ramanathan, A.L., and Gurmeet, S., 2012, Geochemical and statistical evaluation of groundwater in Imphal and Thoubal district of Manipur, India, J. Asian Earth Sci., 48, 136-149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2011.11.017
  18. Jeon, S.R., Park, S.J., Kim, H.S., Jung, S.K., Lee, Y.U., and Chung, J.I., 2011, Hydrogeochemical characteristics and estimation of nitrate contamination sources of groundwater in the Sunchang area, Korea, J. Geol. Soc. Korea, 47(2), 185-197.
  19. Jung, Y.Y., Koh, D.C., Kang, B.R., Ko, K.S., and Yu, Y.J., 2011, Prediction of seasonal nitrate concentration in springs on the southern slope of Jeju Island using multiple linear regression of geographic spatial data, Econ. Environ. Geol., 44(2), 135-152. https://doi.org/10.9719/EEG.2011.44.2.135
  20. Kim, K.J., Koo, M.H., Moon, S.H., Yun, B.W., and Lee, K.S., 2005, Hydrochemistry of groundwaters in a spa area of Korea: an implication for water quality degradation by intensive pumping, Hydrol. Process., 19, 493-505. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.5551
  21. Kim, E.Y., Koh D.C., Ko, K.S., and Yeo, I.W., 2008, Prediction of nitrate contamination of groundwater in the northern Nonsan area using multiple regression analysis, J. Soil &Groundwater Env., 13(5), 57-73.
  22. Kim, H.J., Hamm, S.Y., Kim, N.H., Cheong, J.Y., Lee, J.H., and Jang, S., 2009, Characteristics of groundwater contamination caused by seawater intrusion and agricultural activity in Sacheon and Hadong Areas, Republic of Korea, Econ. Environ. Geol., 42(6) 575-589.
  23. Kim, Y.T. and Woo, N.C., 2003, Nitrate contamination of shallow groundwater in an agricultural area having Intensive livestock facilities, J. Soil &Groundwater Env., 8(1), 57-67.
  24. Koh, D.C., 2008, Nitrate contamination of bedrock groundwater in the southern Hongseong area: Assessment for impact of livestock feedlots, KIGAM Bulletin, 13(1), 20-33.
  25. Koh, D.C., Kim, E.Y., Ryu, J.S., and Ko, K.S., 2009, Factors controlling groundwater chemistry in an agricultural area with complex topographic and land-use patterns in mid-western South Korea, Hydrol. Process., 23, 2915-2928. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.7382
  26. Koh, D.C., Ko, K.S., Kim, Y, Lee, S.G., and Chang, H.W., 2007, Effect of agricultural land use on the chemistry of groundwater form basaltic aquifers, Jeju Island, South Korea, Hydrogeol. J., 15, 727-743. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-006-0142-0
  27. Koh, D.C., Mayer, B., Lee, K.S., and Ko, K.S., 2010, Land-use controls on sources and fate of nitrate in shallow groundwater of an agricultural area revealed by multiple environmental tracers, J. Contam. Hydrol., 118(1-2), 62-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jconhyd.2010.08.003
  28. Korea Meteorological Administration, 2011, Annual Climatological report.
  29. Korom, S.F., 1992, Natural denitrification in the saturated zone: a review, Water Resour. Res., 28, 1657-1668. https://doi.org/10.1029/92WR00252
  30. Kumar, M., Ramanathan, A.L., Rao, M.S., and Kumar, B., 2006, Identification and evaluation of hydrogeochemical processes in the groundwater environment of Delhi, India, Environ. Geol., 50, 1025-1039. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-006-0275-4
  31. Kumar, P., 2008, Targeting safe aquifers for drinking water with special reference to arsenic contamination in Bhagalpur (Bihar) and Ghazipur (Uttar Pradesh) India, M.phil. Thesis, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
  32. Kumar, S.S. and Ramanathan, A.L., 2008, Geochemical assessment of groundwater quality in vicinity of Bhalswa landfill, Delhi, India, using graphical and multivariate statistical methods, Environ. Geol., 53, 1509-1528. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0762-2
  33. Kundu, M.C., Mandal, B., and Sarkar, D., 2008, Assessment of the potential hazards of nitrate contamination in surface and groundwater in a heavily fertilized and intensively cultivated district of india, Environ. Monit. Assess., 146, 183-189. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-007-0070-z
  34. Lee, E.J., Woo, N.C., Lee, B.S., and Kim, Y.B., 2008, Variation in nitrate contamination of shallow groundwater in a farmland in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, Econ. Environ. Geol., 41(4), 393-403.
  35. Lee, I.G. and Choi, S.H., 2012, Hydro-geochemical nature and nitrates contamination characters of groundwater in the Young-dong, Chungbuk province, Econ. Environ. Geol., 45(1), 23-30. https://doi.org/10.9719/EEG.2012.45.1.023
  36. Lee, J.H. and Kim, S.S., 1963, Geologic map of Hongseong (1:50,000), Geological Survey of Korea, 33 p.
  37. Medison, R.J. and Brunett, J.O., 1985, Overview of the occurrences of nitrate in groundwater of the united state. U.S. Geological Survey Water Supply Paper, 2275, p. 93-105.
  38. Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 2011, Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries statistical yearbook.
  39. Ministry of Construction &Transportation and Korea Water Resources Corporation, 2005, Basic Groundwater Survey of Hongseong.
  40. Ministry of Construction &Transportation, Korea Water Resources Corporation and Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, 2005, Hydrogeologic map of Hongseong area.
  41. Ministry of Environment, 2002, Statistics of Waterworks.
  42. Ministry of Environment, 2010, Statistics of Waterworks.
  43. Na, C.K. and Son, C.I., 2005, Groundwater quality and pollution characteristics at Seomjin River Basin: pollution source and risk assessment, Econ. Environ. Geol., 38(3), 261-272.
  44. Panno, S.V., Kelly, W.R., Weibel, C.P., Krapac, I.G., and Sargent, S.L., 2003, Water quality and agrichemical loading in two groundwater basins of Illinois' sinkhole plain, Environmental Geology Series 156. Champaign, Illinois: Illinois State Geological Survey.
  45. Panno, S.V., Kelly, W.R., Martinsek, A.T., and Hackley, K.C., 2006, Estimating Background and Threshold Nitrate Concentrations Using Probability Graphs, Ground Water, 44(5), 697-709. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6584.2006.00240.x
  46. Reddy, A.G.S., Reddy, D.V., Rao, P.N., and Maruthy, P.K., 2010, Hydrogeochemical characterization of flouride rich groundwater of Wailpalli watershed, Nalgonda District, Andhra Pradesh, India, Environ. Monit. Assess., 171, 561-577. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1300-3
  47. Reddy K.R., 1982, Mineralization of nitrogen in organic soils, Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 46(3), 561-566. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1982.03615995004600030024x

Cited by

  1. Temporal variability of nitrate concentration in groundwater affected by intensive agricultural activities in a rural area of Hongseong, South Korea vol.74, pp.7, 2015, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-015-4637-7
  2. Microcosm Study on BTEX and MTBE (Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether) Biodegradation under Aerobic-Anaerobic Conditions vol.15, pp.5, 2014, https://doi.org/10.14481/jkges.2014.15.5.39