Hydrogeochemical Characterization, Processes, and Water Quality Assessment of Groundwater in an Agricultural Reclamation Area of the Sanjiang Plain, China

Abstract

Understanding groundwater quality and its controlling mechanisms is vital for the sustainable use of water resources in agriculturally intensive regions. This study evaluates the hydrochemical characteristics, controlling geochemical processes, and overall water quality of 226 groundwater samples collected from a typical agricultural reclamation area in the Sanjiang Plain, northeastern China. Major ion compositions indicate that groundwater is predominantly of the Ca–HCO3 type, with bicarbonate, calcium, and magnesium as the dominant constituents. Spatial and statistical analyses reveal that rock weathering—particularly the dissolution of carbonates and silicates—is the primary natural process influencing groundwater chemistry, while cation exchange contributes moderately. Anthropogenic inputs, especially from fertilizers, livestock waste, and wastewater discharge, were found to elevate concentrations of NO3−, Cl−, and SO42− in localized zones. The entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI) was applied to assess overall groundwater suitability. Results show that 89.8% of samples fall into “excellent” or “good” categories, though 6.6% of samples indicate poor to very poor water quality. This study identified the hydrochemical characteristics, sources of substances, and water quality of groundwater in the reclamation area, providing a basis for scientific prevention and control, rational utilization, and protection of groundwater resources.