Hydro-geochemical evolution characteristics of shallow groundwater in northeast of Jianghan Plain, China

Understanding the hydro-chemical evolution characteristics of groundwater is of great significance for the sustainable management and utilization of groundwater resources. In this study, the evolution characteristics of groundwater in northeast of Jianghan Plain were studied by hydro chemistry and isotope analysis, multivariate statistical analysis, and inverse geochemical modeling. First, a total of 130 groundwater samples were collected from three different aquifers for anion and cation analysis and hydrogen and oxygen isotopes analysis. Then the hydro-chemical type, composition, ion relationship, and evolution law of the three aquifers were discussed detailedly. Finally, inverse geochemical modeling and principal component analysis were carried out. The results show that the hydro-chemical types, anions and cations of the Holocene (Qh al ) aquifer in the study area are more diverse. The inverse geochemical model indicates that water–rock interaction is one of the factors affecting the chemical evolution of groundwater. The relatively higher concentrations of Na + and Cl − in Paleogene (Ey) aquifer may be originated from the dissolution of saline minerals in red sandstone. The evaporation intensities of the three aquifers are controlled by the depth of the aquifer. Anthropogenic activities might have a greater effect on the Qh al aquifer, but a less effect on the Ey aquifer. This work not only strengthens the understanding of groundwater evolution in this area, but also provides a reference for groundwater analysis in other similar areas. Graphic abstract