Abstract: Understanding the interference of natural processes and anthropogenic activities in geochemical evolution of groundwater is vital for groundwater sustainable management in water-stressed regions. This study is devoted to the identification of the main factors controlling the evolution of groundwater chemistry by the combined use of hydrogeochemical indicators along with isotope tracers in the Heilongdong Spring Basin, North China. Thirty-nine groundwater samples and twelve surface water samples were collected, and major ions and stable isotopes were measured during the two campaigns (December 2017 and August 2018). The isotope approach indicates that the groundwater is recharged by precipitation infiltration after evaporation, and interacts with surface water along preferential flow paths in fault zones and karst conduits. Currently, the main chemical facies of groundwater evolve from Ca-HCO3 and Ca-Mg-HCO3 types with low TDS, through Ca-Mg-HCO3-SO4 and Ca-HCO3-SO4 types with moderate TDS, to Ca-SO4, Ca-SO4-Cl and CaCl types with high TDS. Apart from natural processes (involving dissolution/precipitation of minerals, cation exchange, and evaporation) regulating the groundwater quality, the stagnant zones also play a crucial role in the formation of severe localized nitrate contamination. The deterioration in groundwater quality can be attributed to anthropogenic factors (including the change in groundwater exploitation, the leaching of solid waste, and the overuse of agricultural fertilizers). The high loads of agricultural fertilizers in irrigation return flows are likely to be the main contributor of the dissolved nitrate in groundwater. The findings of this work not only have important implications for groundwater sustainable utilization, but also could serve as a template for other rapidly industrialized and water-stressed regions.

Abstract: Soil and groundwater degradations have taken considerable attention, recently. We studied spatial and temporal variations of groundwater table depth and contours, and groundwater pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and nitrate (NO3) content in a large irrigated area in Western Mediterranean region of Turkey. These variables were
monitored during 2009 and 2010 in previously constructed 220 monitoring wells. We analyzed the data by geostatistical techniques and GIS. Spatial variation of groundwater table depth (GTD) and groundwater table contours (GTC) remained similar across the four sampling campaigns. The values for groundwater NO3 content, EC, and pH values ranged from 0.01 to 454.1 g L−1 , 0.06 to 46.0 dS m−1 and 6.53–9.91, respectively. Greatest
geostatistical range (16,964 m) occurred for GTC and minimum (960 m) for groundwater EC. Groundwater NO3 concentrations varied both spatially and temporally. Temporal changes in spatial pattern of NO3 indicated that land use and farming practices influenced spatial and temporal variation of groundwater NO3. Several hot spots occurred for groundwater NO3 content and EC. These localities should be monitored more frequently and
land management practices should be adjusted to avoid soil and groundwater degradation. The results may have important implications for areas with similar soil, land use, and climate conditions across the Mediterranean region.