Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Groundwater Surrounding Gold Mine Area in
Phichit - Phetchabun Provinces
Jirawan Thamrongsrisakul(1), Srilert Chotpantarat(2,3)
(1)
Inter-department of Environmental Science, Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University
Bangkok,10330, Thailand.
(2)
Department of Geology Faculty of Science Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330,
Thailand.
(3)
Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM) , Chulalongkorn
University, Bangkok, Thailand
*
E-mail:Jirawan_t@hotmail.com, csrilert@gmail.com
Abstract : In last decade, groundwater is an important source of water. This study focused on
groundwater quality located about 280 km. north from Bangkok on the border between
Phichit and Phetchabun Provinces. Due to the current economic expansion has increased and
in turn impact on groundwater quality. Since there are a variety of geological features and
human activities, including mining and agricultural community in such area, the correlation
technique of hydrogeochemical parameters would be considered to address the sources of
groundwater contamination. This study samples were collected 47 groundwater wells in May
2013(summer) with a different geological characteristics and land use types. There are 4
layers which are weathered or fractured volcanic rock, rhyolite and andesitic tuff (Vw) of
53.19%, volcanic rock, rhyolite and andesitic tuff (Vf) of 23.40%, floodplain deposit and clay
dominant (Qfd) of 12.47%. and hard volcanic rock, andesitic and diorite (Vm) of 10.64%.
According to Piper diagrams, the results showed that groundwater chemistry was
Groundwater types and the percentages for each type were: Ca-HCO3 (53.19%), Ca-Mg-Cl
(14.89%), Ca-Na-HCO3 (8.51%), Ca-Cl (10.64%), Na-Cl (8.51%), Na-HCO3 (4.26%). This
study Furthermore, the correlation matrix, implemented the correlation matrix among the
chemical constituents, showed highly relationships as the descending order: TDS-EC (r =
0.906), As-Pb (r=0.771) ,Fe-Zn(r=0.622) and Mg-SO42-( r =0.812). Mg2+ in groundwater
often comes from the input of the dissolution of dolomite and sulfate (SO4 2−) may come from
rainfall and agrochemical fertilizers. Soil was controlled by weathering rocks in area and ZnPb may occur from oxidation product of primary lead sulfide ore (galena,PbS), (Sphalerite,
ZnS) and Arsenopyrite, an iron arsenic sulfide (FeAsS, FeS2, FeAs). In summary, both natural
and human activities may affect groundwater quality around such gold mine area.
Keywords:Groundwater, Hydrogeochemical characteristics, statistics, Gold Mine
Introduction
Groundwater contamination is a
major problem for a long term period.
Groundwater quality in a region may be
affected by the natural processes and/or
anthropogenic activities (Jiang et al.2009).
Groundwater may be contaminated by
leaching process of chemicals in the soil
surface and finally reach into underneath
aquifers. In this area, there have been
mining processes used of chemicals in the
gold extraction process and in turn may
accelerate the natural processes and result
in groundwater contamination in
Figure.1 Location of the study area and groundwater sampling sites.
higher doses (Conesa et at., 2007). Under acid
mine drainage, heavy metals may release
and finally cause contamination of surface
water and groundwater during mining
operation or even long after mine closure
(Changul et al.2009). Since most land use
are agricultural areas along with the use of
the excessive agrochemicals, many studies
found that concentration of nitrate and
sulfate in groundwater monitored higher than
those found in the past (Aravena et al.,
1999; Compton and Boone, 2000; Jiang et
al., 2008).
This study used statistical technique,
correlation analysis, to identify the cause
of groundwater contamination (Reimann et
at., 2002; Farnham et at., 2003, Ouyang,
2005; Lin et at., 2012), Although chemical
compositions of groundwater explained
groundwater quality, however, it is not
easy to distinguish the contributions from
natural
weathering
processes
and
anthropogenic inputs based on the
chemical composition of groundwater
alone. Thue, such technique help to
interpret the relationship between hydro
geochemical properties and sources of
groundwater contaminatino (Chan, 2001).
The purpose of this study was to use
statistical methods to distinguish the
impact of natural and anthropogenic
processes affecting on groundwater quality
around this gold mine area.
2. Description of study area
water was the sole drinking and irrigation
sources for local residents.
Study area (Figure.1) is located in Phichit and
Phetchabun provinces and covered total area
approx.
504
km2.
The
geological
characteristics of the study area generally are
fluvial deposits (73.3%), terrace deposits
(22.6%), rhyolite (0.83%) and andesite
(3.29%). There are 7 land use types and the
percentages for each type were: 69.2 % of rice
growing land, 12.44% of integrated
agriculture, 6.24% of Eucalyptus, 5.74% of
deciduous, 4.54% of construction land, 1.02%
of Mining and 0.79% of water.
3. Methodology
3.1. Groundwater level measurements
A groundwater level survey was
performed at the site during May 2013
(summer season). Groundwater levels in
the wells (n = 47) were determined
manually using a water level meter.
Groundwater elevations (m, asl.) were
calculated in a GIS platform by subtracting
depth to water measurements from the
topographic elevations obtained from the
digital elevation model (DEM) of the site.
Then groundwater elevation values were
contoured using the ordinary kriging
spatial interpolation method available in
the Geostatistical Analyst extension of the
ArcGIS 9.3 software (ESRI, 2009).
Additionally, for comparison purpose,
historic groundwater levels were digitized
from an earlier study conducted in the
area.
3.2. Studied sites
fourty seven groundwater samples
were collected from all 47 springs from the
system (Figure.1). 11 samples were
collected from the fluvial deposits and rice,
2 from terrace deposits and rice, 19 from
fluvial deposits and construction land, 9 from
terrace deposits and construction land, 1 from
rhyolite and construction land, 3 from
fluvial deposits and integrated agriculture, 2
from terrace deposits and integrated
agriculture. It is worth emphasizing that
3.3. Sampling and analytical procedures
Groundwater
samples
were
collected in May of 2013. The water
temperature
(T),
pH,
electrical
conductance (EC), Total Dissolved
Solids (TDS),
oxidation
reduction
potential (ORP) and salt were measured by
a hand-held water quality meter in field. In
addition 1 L sample were collected in
plastic containers and stored at 4 °C and
analyses at laboratory of the Interdepartment of Environmental Science
laboratory at Chulalongkorn University.
The concentrations of SO2-4, PO3−4
, NO-3 were determined using UV-VIS
spectrophotometer. Chorine ion, HCO-3
and CN- were determined in the laboratory
by volumetric titration. Major cations
(Mg2+ ,K+, Na+, Ca+) and trace elements
(Cr6+, Fe, Mn, Ni, As, Al, Co, Cu, Pb and
Zn) were analyzed by inductively coupled
plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS)
following
the
US
Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) standard
methods (APPHA, AWWA and WEF.,
2005)(Table 1)
3.4. Statistical analysis
The correlation matrix among the
chemical constituents for the groundwater
samples carried out based on the data
matrix of the chemical parameters for
groundwater samples. The variables for
correlation analysis were T, pH
,EC, TDS,ORP, Salt, SO2-4, PO3−4, NO-3,
Cl-, CO32-,HCO-3 ,CN-, Mg2+ , K+, Na+,
Ca+, Cr6+ , Fe, Mn, Ni, As, Al, Co, Cu, Pb
and Zn.
Table 1 Chemical analyses of the groundwater.
well
X
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
670242
671640
675901
681665
679216
674666
667682
665682
668187
668182
672819
671963
671470
674182
675665
676132
674688
674468
672074
667095
675364
677014
679580
679977
682127
681777
683938
685906
685204
686128
685984
680626
676971
676090
669061
668841
667715
666139
667202
670571
672068
673800
677457
679611
679005
678393
673213
Y
1813416
1811482
1813194
1815676
1815398
1817458
1815659
1803469
1797786
1797762
1797504
1799053
1799131
1802308
1804261
1806312
1808852
1807172
1806623
1807299
1796163
1796959
1800189
1800294
1803150
1803413
1803989
1802290
1805119
1807416
1809078
1807966
1797543
1798763
1803521
1804870
1806228
1815675
1815564
1815079
1815753
1816170
1816107
1808991
1808460
1805734
1802321
Mean
Min
MaX
SD
CV
Z
50
49
70
89
67
59
55
53
48
41
69
49
55
84
71
70
69
71
75
55
60
73
75
73
88
86
87
85
85
95
106
83
87
78
53
62
61
46
58
51
56
56
72
70
78
78
99
T
pH
ORP
EC
TDS
Salt
+
CO3 2- HCO3 - K
30
6.45
-20.5
410
274
204
0
190
31.2
7.87
114.6 1075
720
537
0
388
33.6
7.01
140.4
503
336
251
0
215
28.7
6.67
-69.3
503
338
252
0
160
37.5
7.48
177.3
8.13
546
4.08
0
303
30
7.19
113.7
487
326
244
0
235
36.3
8.85
29
529
355
264
15
240
29.5
6
93.5
175.3 117.5
87.7
0
83
29.7
6.71
118.7 1117
747
558
0
459
30.2
6.73
48.9
752
504
376
0
325
37.9
7.4
125.7
997
667
498
0
364
33.7
7.02
1.2
617
413
308
0
274
38
7.3
65.6
718
481
359
0
286
29.6
7.48
-59.6
407
272
203
0
190
47.5
6.73 -146.8 603
404
301
0
180
29.7
7.09
62.7
730
489
365
0
230
35.3
7.44
91.8
7.35
492
368
0
300
29.6
6.94
-16.6
972
649
484
0
424
30.6
6.44
-1.7
297
199
149
0
131
30.6
7.4
55.2
116
781
583
0
570
29.5
7.15
124.3
628
420
314
0
267
29.9
6.76
-38.3
436
295
218
0
257
31.6
7.91
78
834
558
417
0
352
30.2
7.26 -101.7 1090
729
544
0
476
29.8
7.09
28
1123
750
562
0
404
31
6.76
84.5
1581
1059
790
0
456
29.1
7.01 -174.9 775
518
387
0
200
30.9
7.2
-100.8 930
623
465
0
403
30.7
7.34
85.5
729
488
364
0
273
29
7.03 -101.1 766
513
383
0
265
47.7
7.1
119.8
477
320
239
0
156
29.1
6.98
-37.7
632
423
316
0
251
29.5
6.7
47
375
251
187
0
149
35.7
6.78
92.7
2700
1800
1350
0
275
30.2
7.23
172.7
286
192
143
0
124
30.2
7.58
146.6 1271
852
636
0
1140
29.3
7.39
163.7 1321
885
660
0
656
30
8.12
0.6
739
495
369
22
255
29.5
8.07
98.5
602
404
301
15
263
29
7.05
-37.2
484
324
242
0
2220
36.5
7.15
123
780
522
390
0
354
28.7
7.81
38.8
538
360
269
0
255
29.2
6.58
-47.9
277
184
139
0
165
32.6
6.84 -176.4 2150
1440
1080
0
257
29.5
6.91
1.2
1621
1089
813
0
490
31.2
7.23
93.3
468
216
235
0
184
29.7
7.39 -100.9 433
289
216
0
227
31.883 7.1621 32.023 746.17 534.24 392.02 1.1064 347.26
28.7
6
-176.4 7.35
117.5
4.08
0
83
47.7
8.85
177.3 2700
1800
1350
22
2220
4.2481 0.4977 93.883 513.05 323.55 247.87 4.365 328.03
0.1332 0.0695 2.9317 0.6876 0.6056 0.6323 3.9453 0.9446
0.580
1.377
0.509
0.887
1.995
1.771
1.714
1.044
0.484
0.414
0.564
0.764
0.670
1.405
1.870
0.588
0.776
0.461
0.380
0.893
0.608
1.646
0.578
0.789
0.897
1.142
0.464
1.382
1.070
1.296
1.834
0.603
1.220
0.397
0.688
1.043
0.620
1.406
0.868
0.476
1.189
0.763
0.398
1.031
1.194
0.807
0.972
0.947
0.380
1.995
0.447
0.471
Mn
0.365
0.490
0.490
0.435
0.250
0.500
0.430
0.620
0.358
0.307
0.342
0.502
0.409
0.745
0.420
0.435
0.492
0.592
0.517
0.562
0.533
0.537
0.549
0.750
0.709
0.699
4.060
0.949
0.981
0.864
0.893
0.917
2.775
0.720
0.713
0.788
0.725
0.736
0.767
0.900
0.799
0.945
0.913
1.083
1.025
0.788
1.040
0.775
0.250
4.060
0.618
0.798
Mg 2+
25.042
52.085
56.599
26.127
31.623
10.561
15.661
11.689
23.767
6.032
32.708
12.964
6.457
6.911
12.100
25.335
14.313
33.177
3.994
12.671
14.078
11.147
23.914
36.167
24.104
38.454
24.588
10.781
23.488
20.689
16.336
19.399
17.508
68.897
7.658
21.979
24.045
18.871
38.351
9.842
7.512
10.605
17.699
76.416
96.922
18.608
12.510
24.051
3.994
96.922
19.027
0.791
NO-3
2.415
1.267
2.336
4.038
2.177
0.990
0.204
2.893
2.173
0.419
0.114
0.226
2.742
0.732
1.637
0.356
2.588
1.674
1.905
0.682
1.498
2.319
1.689
0.284
8.832
1.742
3.995
1.087
1.247
0.641
1.358
2.227
1.148
2.441
0.502
1.251
1.161
0.318
1.596
0.898
1.763
1.791
0.449
3.335
1.687
0.263
1.045
1.662
0.114
8.832
1.444
0.869
SO2-4
29.180
63.708
55.843
48.531
33.569
7.251
18.829
24.377
44.272
25.566
19.581
21.714
4.120
3.767
13.688
36.738
15.959
14.571
8.141
5.785
23.348
47.618
27.223
41.449
40.889
50.518
15.660
13.788
30.822
46.666
20.709
42.607
22.842
77.666
15.668
16.550
20.118
25.880
15.553
11.456
16.052
11.801
20.563
77.577
77.224
42.047
15.737
29.005
3.767
77.666
19.346
0.667
PO3− 4 Cl
0.221
0.051
0.204
0.148
0.014
0.177
0.026
0.197
0.016
0.025
0.015
0.162
0.018
0.241
0.011
0.011
0.011
0.011
0.026
0.010
0.005
0.113
0.010
0.013
0.014
0.027
0.148
0.027
0.101
0.034
0.014
0.034
0.008
0.025
0.054
0.008
0.007
0.006
0.013
0.071
0.014
0.091
0.244
0.014
0.006
0.019
0.118
0.060
0.005
0.244
0.073
1.205
76.476
59.981
79.475
246.424
66.979
73.977
99.469
51.484
62.980
246.424
52.984
38.488
70.978
105.967
623.307
71.478
326.399
21.493
578.821
24.492
69.978
246.424
29.491
727.774
64.980
66.479
46.486
66.479
80.475
73.477
281.413
378.383
271.416
62.481
246.424
23.993
153.952
38.988
396.377
281.413
421.369
71.478
386.380
63.980
183.943
93.971
58.982
167.342
21.493
727.774
170.200
1.017
Na+
39.220
74.220
316.900
17.880
192.900
69.350
10.310
61.640
311.200
280.100
5.737
24.260
3.261
11.430
18.880
3.090
19.370
1.070
54.660
24.000
85.050
11.170
20.420
38.040
56.350
27.200
53.890
128.400
10.120
32.320
58.410
13.640
51.320
48.000
32.140
19.900
4.073
3.799
4.397
5.820
43.720
20.830
14.160
5.337
24.690
34.370
20.620
51.227
1.070
316.900
75.075
1.466
Al
Ca
Cr6+
Fe
Co
0.016 20.580 0.002 1.072 0.002
0.013 38.330 0.002 0.364 0.001
0.009 2.510
0.002 9.642 0.001
0.013 16.360 0.002 2.973 0.002
0.021 32.330 0.002 0.093 0.001
0.009 29.330 0.002 4.965 0.001
0.019 8.537
0.002 0.133 0.001
0.705 4.891
0.002 2.770 0.002
5.022 26.920 0.002 0.066 0.001
0.013 23.050 0.002 0.073 0.001
0.015 20.240 0.002 0.224 0.002
0.018 24.240 0.002 0.123 0.001
0.010 1.970
0.002 0.103 0.001
0.007 8.500
0.002 0.326 0.001
0.007 16.700 0.002 0.075 0.001
0.006 18.140 0.002 0.060 0.001
0.001 23.940 0.002 0.053 0.001
0.008 4.821
0.002 0.818 0.001
0.001 13.930 0.002 0.048 0.001
0.008 13.760 0.002 0.070 0.001
0.006 6.691
0.002 0.226 0.001
0.001 25.290 0.002 0.048 0.001
0.012 33.560 0.001 0.911 0.001
0.012 16.020 0.002 4.495 0.001
0.009 33.090 0.002 1.107 0.001
0.016 16.300 0.002 0.202 0.001
0.016 28.420 0.002 1.088 0.002
0.012 11.270 0.002 0.071 0.001
0.003 19.770 0.002 0.116 0.001
0.026 8.437
0.002 0.382 0.002
0.011 96.520 0.002 2.469 0.002
0.035 6.913
0.002 0.244 0.001
0.001 21.310 0.002 0.048 0.001
0.017 29.030 0.002 0.076 0.001
0.024 7.938
0.002 0.077 0.001
0.021 1.913
0.002 0.097 0.001
0.013 22.820 0.002 0.088 0.001
0.016 34.800 0.002 0.062 0.001
0.019 28.850 0.002 0.267 0.001
0.013 9.893
0.002 1.142 0.002
0.010 55.700 0.002 23.860 0.001
0.017 468.860 0.002 0.125 0.001
0.013 15.010 0.002 0.066 0.001
0.022 18.000 0.002 0.992 0.001
0.007 18.500 0.002 0.604 0.001
0.023 21.420 0.002 0.475 0.001
0.018 53.410 0.001 0.094 0.002
0.134 31.039 0.002 1.351 0.001
0.001 1.913
0.001 0.048 0.001
5.022 468.860 0.002 23.860 0.002
0.735 67.269 0.000 3.767 0.000
5.474 2.167
0.106 2.789 0.135
Ni
Cu
Zn
As
Pb
CN
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.003
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.011
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.002
3.655
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.003
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.001
0.002
0.080
0.001
3.655
0.533
6.694
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.014
0.003
0.014
0.001
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.003
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.010
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.068
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.010
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.012
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.013
0.001
0.004
0.001
0.068
0.010
2.563
0.057
0.046
0.036
0.046
0.032
0.258
0.106
0.321
0.016
0.027
0.040
0.120
0.025
0.036
0.041
0.018
0.001
0.065
0.001
0.022
0.034
0.004
0.022
0.671
0.027
0.027
0.019
0.028
0.021
0.041
0.040
0.089
0.001
0.023
0.105
0.060
0.032
0.019
0.035
0.030
0.564
0.024
0.026
0.020
0.013
0.375
0.028
0.079
0.001
0.671
0.138
1.753
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.005
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.001
0.026
0.008
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.026
0.004
1.567
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.003
0.002
0.005
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.010
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.003
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.073
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.014
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.003
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.019
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.004
0.001
0.073
0.011
2.896
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.001
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.002
0.001
0.002
0.000
0.143
4. Results and discussion
4.1. Groundwater level and flow directions
Groundwater level surveys provide
valuable information on the groundwater
gradients and flow directions. This type of
survey can also aid qualitative estimates of
the flow paths and facilitate a better
definition of the extent of the hydrologic
system (Figure.2). In this area, there are 2
drainage basin: the right trough (blue
arrow) moves down the hill to flat areas.
the left trough (red arrow) moves down the
hill to flat areas. In the study area can be
divided into 4 layers (Figure.3) consisting
of weathered or fractured volcanic rock,
rhyolite and andesitic tuff (Vw) 53.19%,
volcanic rock, rhyolite and andesitic tuff
(Vf) 23.40%, floodplain deposit and clay
dominant (Qfd) 12.47%. and hard volcanic
rock, andesitic and diorite (Vm) 10.64%.
Cross section line A
Cross section line B
Figure.2 Groundwater level and flow directions
A
B
Figure3 Groundwater level, (A)N-S ,(B) E-W
-
l
+C
2-
2+
Ca
2+
g
+M
EXPLANATION
+H
CO
3
CO
-
Cl
ANIONS
Figure4.Piper diagram
2-
SO 4
+
2+
Ca
CATIONS
2-
3
-
Qfd
Vw
Vf
Vm
+
+K
Na
The variables for correlation
analysis were T, pH ,EC, TDS,ORP, Salt,
SO2-4, PO3−4, NO-3, Cl-,CO32-, HCO-3 ,CN-,
Mg2+ , K+, Na+, Ca+, Cr6+ ,Fe, Mn, Ni, As,
Al, Co, Cu, Pb and Zn. The correlation
matrix for the 27 variables is shown in
Table 2. There are significant positive
correlations between EC and TDS, EC and
salt, TDS and Salt, Mg and SO42-, Aquifer
and Cl−, soil and Geology, which indicate
that such ions in the groundwater were
likely came from the same sources. Mg2+
in groundwater often comes from the input
of the dissolution of dolomite in karst
areas (Aiuppa et al., 2003; Brenot et al.,
2008). Sources of SO4 2− may be rainfall
and fertilizers (Edmunds et al., 2003) ,
sewage effluents and dissolution of sulfide
minerals present in granite. In addition, the
significantly high positive loading of EC
and strong negative loading of pH
supporting the hypothesis of water–rock
interaction. The EC reflects the amount of
minerals dissolved into groundwater,
SO
4
4.3. Statistical analysis
This study found that these 4
aquifers consist of 6 Groundwater types
(Figure.4) in areas and the percentages for
each type were Ca-HCO3- (53.19%), CaMg-Cl (14.89%), Ca-Na-HCO3 (8.51%),
Ca-Cl (10.64%), Na. -Cl (8.51%), NaHCO3 (4.26%)
2+
Results of chemical analysis and
statistics for the 27 physicochemical
parameters monitored in 47 groundwater
samples shown in Table 1.Average
groundwater temperature was 31.88 C.
The pH varies from 6 to 8.85 with an
average of 7.16. The redox potential was
measured within a range of -176.4 – 177.3
mV with an average of 32.02 mV. Also,
Table 1 reflected a moderate to high
variability (standard deviation and
coefficient of variation) among samples of
the variables. The highest variability was
for Ni followed by Pb, Cu and Al with
coefficient of variation values above 1.0,
reflecting spatial variation of groundwater
quality in area.
which positively correlated to TDS and
salt. Sodium ion in groundwater derives
from the incongruent dissolution of
plagioclase in granite, chemical fertilizer,
domestic effluents and atmospheric input
(Edmunds et al., 2003; Aiuppa et al., 2003;
Brenot et al., 2008). Potassium in
groundwater often comes from orthoclase
and muscovite minerals present in granite,
and from pollution sources such as
chemical fertilizer. Furthermore, according
to correlation result, soil is controlled by
weathering rocks in area.
Mg
4.2. Results of Chemical characteristics
Table 2 The correlation matrix among the chemical constituents for the groundwater
samples.
T
pH
ORP
EC
TDS
Salt
CO32HCO3K
Mn
Mg
NO3
SO4
PO4
Cl
Na
Al
Ca
Cr
Fe
Co
Ni
Cu
Zn
As
Cd
Pb
CN
LU
Soil
Geo
Aqifer
Topo
T
pH
ORP
EC
TDS
Salt
CO3 2- HCO3-
1.000
0.077
0.122
-0.010
0.050
0.001
-0.013
-0.158
0.236
-0.200
0.001
-0.040
-0.094
-0.247
0.224
0.024
-0.088
-0.006
0.167
0.160
-0.039
-0.031
-0.098
0.021
-0.030
0.047
0.028
0.028
0.143
0.080
0.017
0.150
0.073
1.000
0.219
-0.054
0.007
-0.016
0.600
0.097
0.373
-0.093
-0.109
-0.269
-0.216
-0.301
-0.199
-0.206
-0.180
0.219
-0.094
-0.073
-0.142
-0.121
-0.079
-0.036
0.160
-0.054
-0.012
-0.148
-0.070
-0.216
-0.205
-0.167
-0.027
1.000
-0.073
0.007
-0.044
0.014
0.032
-0.046
-0.364
-0.049
-0.122
-0.059
-0.215
-0.234
0.274
0.150
0.044
0.115
0.158
-0.254
0.083
-0.013
0.045
0.289
-0.134
-0.206
0.072
0.024
-0.294
-0.200
-0.191
-0.239
1.000
0.906
0.934
-0.054
0.145
-0.173
0.052
0.700
0.174
0.633
-0.337
-0.191
-0.048
0.086
-0.057
0.223
-0.027
-0.005
0.242
-0.029
-0.041
-0.116
0.081
0.068
0.113
-0.171
-0.205
-0.272
-0.210
0.144
1.000
0.970
-0.085
0.180
-0.112
-0.009
0.719
0.193
0.597
-0.433
-0.230
-0.013
0.072
-0.074
0.187
-0.066
-0.072
0.241
-0.064
-0.108
-0.135
0.084
0.057
0.079
-0.206
-0.233
-0.286
-0.281
0.119
1.000
-0.076
0.177
-0.195
0.022
0.686
0.170
0.580
-0.403
-0.206
-0.080
0.075
-0.074
0.177
-0.054
-0.054
0.239
-0.054
-0.079
-0.137
0.032
0.063
0.092
-0.224
-0.258
-0.330
-0.213
0.104
1.000
-0.074
0.131
-0.048
-0.131
-0.181
-0.109
-0.166
-0.012
-0.157
-0.041
-0.021
-0.079
-0.083
-0.084
-0.038
-0.081
-0.056
0.023
-0.176
-0.064
-0.079
-0.024
-0.201
-0.160
0.066
-0.183
1.000
-0.081
-0.034
0.014
-0.086
-0.097
-0.189
-0.012
-0.074
0.034
-0.080
-0.094
-0.020
0.029
0.049
-0.029
-0.037
0.010
0.281
0.043
0.035
0.018
0.007
0.045
-0.199
-0.251
K
Mn
Mg
NO3
SO4
PO4
Cl
Na
Al
Ca
Cr
Fe
Co
Ni
Cu
Zn
As
Pb
CN
LU
Soil
1.000
0.011
-0.006
0.012
-0.045
0.044
-0.007
-0.167
-0.145
0.112
-0.195
-0.166
-0.062
-0.015
0.288
-0.088
-0.125
0.061
-0.054
-0.134
0.252
0.092
0.166
0.044
0.192
1.000
0.051
0.160
-0.054
0.086
-0.016
-0.128
-0.105
0.064
-0.056
-0.019
0.103
-0.019
-0.013
-0.068
-0.045
-0.070
-0.021
-0.010
-0.004
-0.148
-0.126
0.032
0.304
1.000
0.173
0.835
-0.120
-0.203
0.087
-0.009
-0.102
0.042
-0.006
-0.012
0.118
-0.058
-0.090
-0.131
-0.013
0.034
-0.112
0.010
-0.064
-0.161
-0.237
0.242
1.000
0.251
0.038
-0.095
0.076
0.069
0.030
0.040
0.075
0.088
0.008
0.058
-0.160
-0.159
-0.086
-0.127
-0.164
0.295
-0.026
-0.004
0.015
0.034
1.000
-0.111
-0.121
0.181
0.114
-0.123
0.034
-0.008
0.106
0.165
0.101
-0.027
-0.138
-0.018
0.056
-0.075
-0.091
-0.027
-0.098
-0.055
0.303
1.000
-0.122
0.060
-0.052
0.029
0.037
0.095
0.113
-0.067
-0.022
0.019
-0.067
-0.005
-0.117
-0.086
0.326
0.584
0.355
-0.002
-0.028
1.000
-0.101
-0.106
-0.065
-0.094
0.230
0.185
-0.089
0.159
0.368
0.034
-0.114
0.590
0.045
0.103
-0.042
-0.035
0.668
0.021
1.000
0.515
-0.052
0.123
0.164
-0.114
-0.048
-0.089
-0.046
-0.034
0.012
-0.053
0.007
-0.043
0.110
0.173
-0.368
-0.142
1.000
-0.016
0.095
-0.044
-0.047
-0.024
-0.039
-0.030
-0.028
-0.092
-0.036
0.110
-0.182
-0.097
-0.064
-0.223
-0.248
1.000
0.095
0.018
0.036
-0.033
-0.067
-0.038
-0.081
0.285
-0.042
0.003
0.075
-0.169
-0.113
-0.045
0.026
1.000
0.497
0.348
-0.009
0.027
0.368
-0.084
0.092
0.117
0.019
-0.114
0.176
0.235
-0.066
-0.084
1.000
0.490
-0.045
0.130
0.622
-0.029
-0.119
0.328
-0.255
0.173
0.307
0.311
0.028
-0.027
1.000
-0.068
0.055
0.498
-0.121
-0.033
0.382
-0.184
0.095
0.337
0.485
0.193
0.228
1.000
0.090
-0.056
-0.047
0.048
-0.036
-0.050
0.059
-0.103
-0.092
-0.064
0.103
1.000
0.182
-0.018
-0.173
0.163
-0.122
0.072
-0.002
-0.008
0.288
0.169
1.000
0.096
-0.131
0.771
-0.005
-0.106
0.115
0.127
0.171
0.065
1.000
0.140
0.017
0.364
0.015
-0.137
-0.114
0.062
-0.106
1.000
-0.052
-0.122
-0.045
-0.015
0.222
0.086
1.000
-0.004
-0.071
-0.044
0.119
-0.016
1.000
0.281
0.248
0.085
0.118
1.000
0.733 1.000
-0.116 -0.221 1.000
0.214 0.118 0.052 1.000
The water quality of old groundwater is
another issue taken into account. Generally
speaking, the longer the residence time, the
higher the concentration of dissolved ions
in groundwater. Groundwater tends to
evolve chemically toward compositions of
sea water along the flow path. It was found
by Chebotarev in the Great Artesian Basin
that the evolution is normally accompanied
by the following regional changes in
dominant anion species (Freeze and
Cherry 1979) as follows:
HCO3 - ⇒ HCO3 -+ SO4-2 ⇒
SO4-2 + HCO3 - ⇒ SO4-2 + Cl ⇒ Cl
This is the Chebotarev sequence,
expressed in simpler terms as follows:
Bicarbonate waters ⇒ Sulfate waters ⇒
Chloride waters
The time of travel or residence time
determines to a large extent the adoption
of local geological conditions. In essence,
the chemical composition of groundwater
is the result of the prolonged leaching of
sedimentary beds. Therefore, the salinity
Geo Aqifer Topo
concentration of groundwater usually
increases with: (1) greater depth, (2)
slower drainage, and (3) longer time of
exposure. The deeper and/or older the
waters, the saltier they are likely to be, and
vice versa, in sedimentary basins the
chemical composition of groundwater will
evolve along its flow-path in an anionic
sequence: HCO3- Young groundwater:
infiltration, short residence time. HCO3come from carbonate dissolution Low
TDS.
HCO3 -+ SO4-2
come from
dissolution of gypsum and oxidation of
pyrite. Then, SO4-2 + Cl- Dissolution of
halite that has not been washed away Cl- is
old deep groundwater with long residence
time and High TDS.
Discussion and Conclusion
The study results showed that
NO3−, Cl−, SO4 2−, PO42- in groundwater
derive from sources related to human
activities, agricultural fertilizers and
sewage effluents. Sodium ion ,Mg2+ and
K+ in groundwater derive from the
incongruent dissolution of plagioclase,
orthoclase and muscovite form the
lithologic source. Lead and As in
groundwater derive from mineral. The
Piper's diagram showed that
groundwater changed widely from CaHCO3-Type (53.19%), Ca-Mg-Cl Type
(14.89%), Ca-Na-HCO3 Type (8.51%), CaCl Type (10.64%), Na-Cl Type (8.51%)
and Na-HCO3 Type (4.26%). In summary
both natural and anthropogenic processes
were the two major factors for the
chemical compositions of groundwater
quality around such gold mine area.
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Acknowledgement : The authors are very grateful to laboratory of the Inter-department of
Environmental Science and Graduate School, Chulalongkorn University for partially funding
support for financial support.