Groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purpose in a loess aquifer Northwestern China: A case study in Liquan loess tableland

Abstract

Knowledge of groundwater quality is a crucial issue for the scientific and sustainable exploitation of the groundwater resources in loess aquifer, northwest of China. In this study, analysis of water quality for drinking and irrigation were proceeded in a loess aquifer. Based on the analysis of 52 groundwater samples, the groundwater is characterized by high sodium, with 54% samples have sodium exceed WHO limit, observed in the central of loess tableland where the water table is shallow. EC, SAR, and SSR indices are used to appraise the water quality for irrigation. The results showed groundwater can pose high risks of salinity and medium sodium hazard, without any measures and management.