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Impact of human activity and natural processes on groundwater arsenic in an urbanized area (South China) using multivariate statistical techniques

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Abstract

Anthropogenic factors resulted from the urbanization may affect the groundwater As in urbanized areas. Groundwater samples from the Guangzhou city (South China) were collected for As and other parameter analysis, in order to assess the impact of urbanization and natural processes on As distribution in aquifers. Nearly 25.5 % of groundwater samples were above the WHO drinking water standard for As, and the As concentrations in the granular aquifer (GA) were generally far higher than that in the fractured bedrock aquifer (FBA). Samples were classified into four clusters by using hierarchical cluster analysis. Cluster 1 is mainly located in the FBA and controlled by natural processes. Anthropogenic pollution resulted from the urbanization is responsible for high As concentrations identified in cluster 2. Clusters 3 and 4 are mainly located in the GA and controlled by both natural processes and anthropogenic factors. Three main mechanisms control the source and mobilization of groundwater As in the study area. Firstly, the interaction of water and calcareous rocks appears to be responsible for As release in the FBA. Secondly, reduction of Fe/Mn oxyhydroxides and decomposition of organic matter are probably responsible for high As concentrations in the GA. Thirdly, during the process of urbanization, the infiltration of wastewater/leachate with a high As content is likely to be the main source for groundwater As, while NO3 contamination diminishes groundwater As.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41103059) and the Basic Scientific Study Fund from the Institute of Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (SK201410) and China Geological Survey Grant (1212011121167). The authors thank the reviewers and the editor for their constructive comments which helped to improve the manuscript substantially. The authors also thank Jingtao Liu, Xi Chen, Yuxi Zhang, and Xiaobin Di for assistance with sampling and testing in the field, and we also thank Jihong Jing and Yisu Qin for their help with the collection of hydrogeological data.

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Correspondence to Guanxing Huang.

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Responsible editor: Stuart Simpson

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Huang, G., Chen, Z., Liu, F. et al. Impact of human activity and natural processes on groundwater arsenic in an urbanized area (South China) using multivariate statistical techniques. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 13043–13054 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3269-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3269-x

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