Distribution characteristics and source analysis of nitrate in groundwater of Datong Basin
GE Qin1,2, ZHANG Jun-peng1, WANG Yang3, WANG Hui-man1, SHAO Zheng1, LI Xiang1, LIU Hai-yan1, LI Xin-yan1
1. School of Water Resources & Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China; 2. Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of the Causes and Remediation of Groundwater Pollution, Nanchang 330013, China; 3. Jiangxi Coalfield Geological Prospecting Research Institute, Nanchang 330001, China
Abstract：This study delved into the origins and transformation processes of nitrate in the groundwater of the Datong Basin, utilizing hydrochemical analysis alongside multi-isotope techniques (δ18O-H2O, δ15N-NO3- and δ18O-NO3-). With the MixSIAR model, we quantitatively assessed the contribution of various pollution sources. Research results are as follows, the mean concentrations of NO3--N, NO2--N and NH4+-N in groundwater were found to be 32.07,0.96和0.61mg/L, respectively, with NO3--N being the most prevalent. Remarkably, the peak concentration of NO3--N soared to 538.61mg/L, surpassing the Class III groundwater quality benchmark (20mg/L) by a staggering 27 times, with a 39.13% exceedance rate. The NO3--N concentration decreased as groundwater depth increased: shallow groundwater averaged at 34.26mg/L, middle groundwater at 22.05mg/L, and deep groundwater at 13.07mg/L. Nitrogen transformation in groundwater was primarily driven by nitrification, whereas denitrification played a minor role. The primary culprits behind nitrate pollution in groundwater were identified as sewage and manure, soil nitrogen and chemical fertilizers. Their respective average contribution rates were as follows: in shallow groundwater, sewage and manure accounted for 33.6%, followed by soil nitrogen at 33.5% and chemical fertilizers at 21.5%. For middle groundwater, the rates were 43.3% for sewage and manure, 34.4% for soil nitrogen, and 18.1% for chemical fertilizers. In deep groundwater, soil nitrogen led with 54.4%, chemical fertilizers followed at 25.1%, and sewage and manure contributed 18.5%. An uncertainty analysis revealed that the contribution rates of chemical fertilizers and soil nitrogen carried significant uncertainty, indicated by their relatively high UI90values. The research results provide a reference for understanding nitrogen transformation and identifying pollution sources in groundwater.
葛勤, 张俊朋, 汪洋, 王袆曼, 邵政, 李翔, 刘海燕, 李昕妍. 大同盆地地下水硝酸盐分布特征及来源解析[J]. 中国环境科学, 2025, 45(2): 1004-1015.
GE Qin, ZHANG Jun-peng, WANG Yang, WANG Hui-man, SHAO Zheng, LI Xiang, LIU Hai-yan, LI Xin-yan. Distribution characteristics and source analysis of nitrate in groundwater of Datong Basin. CHINA ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCECE, 2025, 45(2): 1004-1015.
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