State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology), 1#, Dongsanlu, Erxianqiao, Chengdu, 610059, Sichuan, PR China.
Scientific Research Academy of Guangxi Environmental Protection, Nanning 530022, China.
Sci Total Environ. 2024 Oct 10;946:174371. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174371. Epub 2024 Jun 28.
Groundwater in karst regions is of immense value due to its vital support for regional ecosystems and residents' livelihoods. However, it is simultaneously threatened by multi-source pollution from agricultural non-point sources, industrial and domestic point sources, and mining activities. This study focuses on the Guangxi of China, which features typical karst topography, aiming to thoroughly assess the groundwater quality and related health risks in Guangxi, especially identifying the impacts of various key pollution sources on the groundwater environment. A total of 1912 groundwater samples were collected, covering an area of approximately 237,600 km. The spatial distribution of pollutants was analysed using the Nemeroww index method and Kriging interpolation, while multivariate statistical and cluster analysis methods were employed to identify the main types of pollution sources. Furthermore, based on the human health risk assessment model of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), a risk assessment was conducted for key pollutants. The results revealed widespread heavy metal contamination in Guangxi's groundwater, particularly with concentrations of Mn, As, Al, Pb reaching up to 9.4 mg/L, 2.483 mg/L, 37.95 mg/L, 4.761 mg/L, respectively, significantly exceeding China's national Class III groundwater quality standards. Cluster analysis indicated that mining and industrial activities are the primary sources of pollution. The health risk assessment demonstrated that these activities pose a significant risk to public health. The aim of this study is to provide a scientific basis for the protection of the groundwater environment in Guangxi and other karst areas, the formulation of pollution prevention and control strategies, and the optimization of urban and industrial land use layouts. Future research should focus on advanced isotopic and molecular biological techniques to trace pollution sources more precisely and evaluate the effectiveness of pollution control measures.
岩溶地区的地下水具有巨大的价值，因为它对区域生态系统和居民的生计至关重要。然而，它同时受到农业非点源、工业和生活点源以及采矿活动等多源污染的威胁。本研究以中国广西为对象，该地区具有典型的岩溶地形，旨在全面评估广西地下水水质及相关健康风险，特别是识别各种关键污染源对地下水环境的影响。共采集了 1912 个地下水样本，覆盖面积约 237600km。采用内梅罗指数法和克里金插值法分析污染物的空间分布，采用多元统计和聚类分析方法识别主要污染源类型。此外，基于美国环境保护署（US EPA）的人体健康风险评估模型，对关键污染物进行了风险评估。结果表明，广西地下水普遍受到重金属污染，特别是 Mn、As、Al 和 Pb 的浓度分别高达 9.4mg/L、2.483mg/L、37.95mg/L 和 4.761mg/L，明显超过中国国家 III 类地下水质量标准。聚类分析表明，采矿和工业活动是污染的主要来源。健康风险评估表明，这些活动对公众健康构成重大风险。本研究旨在为保护广西及其他岩溶地区的地下水环境、制定污染防治策略以及优化城市和工业土地利用布局提供科学依据。未来的研究应侧重于先进的同位素和分子生物学技术，以更精确地追踪污染源并评估污染控制措施的有效性。
