All Issue

2024 Vol.29, Issue 6 Preview Page
Evaluation of Pollution Characteristics using Nitrate Background Levels, Nitrate Pollution Index, and Principal Component Analysis of Groundwater in Rural Areas, Hongsung-gun

지하수 질산염 배경농도 및 오염지수와 주성분분석을 이용한 농촌지역 홍성군의 지하수 오염특성 평가

Yeonkyeong Choi12
,
Kyung-Seok Ko12*
,
Hyowon An12
,
Hyunjeong Shin3
,
Soojeong Jeong3
,
Jeongah Lee3
최 연경12
,
고 경석12*
,
안 효원12
,
신 현정3
,
정 수정3
,
이 정아3
1Groundwater Environment Center, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM)
2Geological Science, University of Science and Technology (UST)
3Chungnam Regional Headquarters, Korea Rural Community Corporation
1한국지질자원연구원
2과학기술연합대학원대학교
3한국농어촌공사 충남지역본부
*Corresponding Author
31 December 2024. pp. 116-130
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

This study aimed to characterize groundwater pollution in Hongseong-gun, a representative rural area, by conducting principal component analyses (PCA) for 12 water quality parameters. Nitrate (NO3) contamination was also assessed by identifying the background levels and threshold values (TV) of NO3 concentration, followed by estimation of nitrate pollution index (NPI) based on the TV value. The results of PCA anlayses showed that the top three PCs (PC1, PC2, and PC3) accounted for 68% of the total variation, with PC1 and PC2 being most influenced by EC and NO3, respectively. In calculation of background levels for groundwater constituents, the values estimated by the percentile method were higher than those by the probability plot method for all constituents except Na and NO3. The NPI values indicated moderate to severe contamination (classes 1-3) and showed an increase of over 10% in 2023 compared to 2005. The overall results of this study demonstrate that PCA analysis, along with background level and TV assessment, can effectively evaluate the factors influencing groundwater pollution in a typical rural area like Hongsung-gun. This study also confirmed that NPI serves as a reliable indicator for effective groundwater pollution management.

Keywords
Groundwater quality
Background levels
Threshold value
Nitrate pollution index
Principal component analysis
References
1

Abascal, E., Gómez-Coma, L., Oritz, I., and Oritz, A., 2022, Global diagnosis of nitrate pollution in groundwater and review of removal technologies, Sci. Total Environ., 810, 152233.

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152233
2

Almasri, M.N., 2007, Nitrate contamination of groundwater: A conceptual management framework, Environ. Impact Assess. Rev., 27, 220-242.

10.1016/j.eiar.2006.11.002
3

An, H.S., Jee, S.W., Lee, S.J., Hyun, Y.J., Yoon, H.S., and Kim, R.H., 2015, Suggestion of a groundwater quality management framework using threshold values and trend analysis, J. Soil Groundwater Environ., 20, 112-120.

10.7857/JSGE.2015.20.7.112
4

Bahrami, M., Zarei, A.R., and Rostami, F., 2020, Temporal and spatial assessment of groundwater contamination with nitrate by nitrate pollution index (NPI) and GIS (case study: Fasarud Plain, southern Iran), Environ. Geochem. Health., 42, 3119-3130.

10.1007/s10653-020-00546-x
5

Biddau, R., Cidu, R., Lorrai, M., and Mulas, M.G., 2017, Assessing background values of chloride, sulfate and fluoride in groundwater: a geochemical-statistical approach at a regional scale, J. Geochem. Explor., 181, 243-255.

10.1016/j.gexplo.2017.08.002
6

Buškulić, P., Parlov, J., Kovač, Z., and Nakić, Z., 2023, Estimation of nitrate background value in groundwater under the long-term human impact, Hydrol., 10, 63.

10.3390/hydrology10030063
7

Celestino, A.E.M., Leal, J.A.R., Cruz, D.A.M., Vargas, J.T., Bashulto, J.D.L., and Ramírez, J.M., 2019, Identification of the hydrogeochemical processes and assessment of groundwater quality, using multivariate statistical approaches and water quality index in a wastewater irrigated region, Water., 11, 1702.

10.3390/w11081702
8

Coetsiers, M., Blaser, P., Martens, K., and Walraevens, K., 2009, Natural background levels and threshold values for groundwater in fluvial Pleistocene and Tertiary marine aquifers in Flanders, Belgium, Enviorn Geol., 57, 1155-1168.

10.1007/s00254-008-1412-z
9

Cruz, J.V. and Andrade, C., 2015, Natural background groundwater composition in the Azores archipelago (Portugal): A hydrogeochemical study and threshold value determination, Sci. Total Environ., 520, 127-135.

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.03.057
10

El Mountassir, O., Bahir, M., Ouazar, D., Chehbouni, A., and Carreira, P.M., 2022, Temporal and spatial assessment of groundwater contamination with nitrate using nitrate pollution index (NPI), groundwater pollution index (GPI), and GIS (case study: Essaouira basin, Morocco), Environ Sci Pollut Res., 29, 17132-17149.

10.1007/s11356-021-16922-8
11

Gemitzi, A., 2012, Evaluating the anthropogenic impacts on groundwaters; a methodology based on determination of matural background levels and threshold values, Enviorn Earth Sci., 67, 2223-2237.

10.1007/s12665-012-1664-5
12

Gutiérrez, M., Biagioni, R.N., Alarcón-Herrera, M. T., and Rivas-Lucero, B. A., 2018, An overview of nitrate sources and operating processes in arid and semiarid aquifer systems, Sci. Total Environ., 624, 1513-1522.

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.252
13

Ha, K., Lee, E., An, H., Kim, S., Park, C., Kim, G.-B., and Ko, K.-S., 2021, Evaluation of seasonal groundwater quality changes associated with groundwater pumping and level fluctuations in an agricultural area, Korea, Water., 13, 51.

10.3390/w13010051
14

Harter, T., Davis, H., Mathews, M.C., and Meyer, R.D., 2002, Shallow groundwater quality on dairy farms with irrigated forage crops, J. contam Hydrol, 55(3-4), 287-315.

10.1016/S0169-7722(01)00189-9
15

Heaton, T.H., Stuart, M.E., Sapiano, M., and Sultana, M.M., 2012, An isotope study of the sources of nitrate in Malta’s groundwater, Hydrol., 414, 244-254.

10.1016/j.jhydrol.2011.10.037
16

Hongsung-gun, 2023, Groundwater management plan of Hongsunggun.

17

Jeon, S.R., Park, S.J., Kim, H.S., Jung, S.K., Lee, Y.U., and Lee, J.I., 2011, Hydrogeochemical characteristics and estimation of nitrate contamination source of groundwater in the Sunchang area, Korea, J. Geol. Soci. Korea., 47(2), 185-197.

10.14770/jgsk.2011.47.2.185
18

Jolliffe, I.T., 2002, Principal component analysis for special types of data (pp. 338-372). Springer New York.

19

Kou, X., Ding, J., Li, Y., Li, Q., Mao, L., Xu, C., Zheng, Q., and Zhuang, S., 2021, Tracing nitrate sources in the groundwater of an intensive agricultural region, Agri. Water Manage., 250, 106826.

10.1016/j.agwat.2021.106826
20

Ki, M.G., Koh, D.C., Yoon, H.S., and Kim, H.S., 2013, Characterization of nitrate contamination and hydrogeochemistry of groundwater in an agricultural area of northeastern Hongseong, J. Soil Groundwater Environ., 18(3), 33-51.

10.7857/JSGE.2013.18.3.033
21

Ki, M.G., 2013, Characterization of nitrate contamination and vulnerability assessment of groundwater in an agricultural area (northeasten Hongseong), Unpublished MS thesis, Chonbuk National University, 114p.

22

Kim, K.H., Yun, S.T., Chae, G.T., Choi, B.Y., Kim, S.O., Kim, K.J., Kim, H.S., and Lee, C.W., 2002, Nitrate contamination of alluvial groundwaters in the Keum River watershed area: Source and behaviors of nitrate, and suggestion to secure water supply, J. Eng. Geol., 12(4), 471-484.

23

Kim, K.H., Yun, S.T., Chae, G.T., Kim, S.Y., Kwon, J.S., and Koh, Y.K., 2006, Hydrogeochemical evolution related to high fluoride concentrations in deep bedrock groundwaters, Korea, Korea Eco. Environ. Geol., 39(1), 27-38.

24

Kim, K.-H., Yun, S.-T., Kim, H.-K., and Kim, J.-W., 2015a, Determination of natural backgrounds and thresholds of nitrate in South Korean groundwater using model-based statistical approaches, J. Geochem. Explor., 148, 196-205.

10.1016/j.gexplo.2014.10.001
25

Kim, K.-H., Yun, S.-T., Mayer, B., Lee, J.-H., Kim, T.-S., and Kim, H.-K., 2015b, Quantification of nitrate sources in groundwater using hydrochemical and dual isotopic data combined with a Bayesian mixing model, Agr. Ecosys. Environ., 199, 369-381.

10.1016/j.agee.2014.10.014
26

Ko, K.-S., Kim, Y., Koh, D.-C., Lee, K.-S., Lee, S.-G., Kang, C.H., Seong, H.-J., and Park, W.-B., 2005, Multivariate statistical analysis for groundwater mixing ratios around underground storage caverns in Korea, Econ. Environ. Geol., 38, 435-450.

27

Ko, K.-S., Lee, J., Lee, K.-K., and Chang, H.W., 2010, Multivariate statistical analysis for groundwater mixing ratios around underground storage caverns in Korea, Carb. Evap., 25, 35-42.

10.1007/s13146-009-0004-7
28

Lee, E.J., Woo, N.C., Lee, B.S., and Kim, Y.B., 2008, Variation in nitrate contamination of shallow groundwater in a farmland in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, Econ. Environ. Geol., 41(4), 393-403.

29

Lee, J., Ko, K.-S., Kim, J.-M., and Chang, H.-W., 2008, Multivariate statistical analysis of underground gas storage caverns on groundwater chemistry in Korea, Hydrol. Process., 22, 3410-3417.

10.1002/hyp.6921
30

Liu, A., Ming, J., and Ankumah, R.O., 2005, Nitrate contamination in private wells in rural Alabama, United States, Sci. Total, Enviorn, 346(1-3), 112-120.

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2004.11.019
31

Mendizabal, I., Baggelaar, P.K., and Stuyfzand, P.J., 2012, Hydrochemical trends for public supply well fields in The Netherlands (1898-2008), natural backgrounds and upscaling to groundwater bodies, J. Hydrol., 450, 279-292.

10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.04.050
32

Ministry of Construction & Transportation, Korea Water Resources Corporation, and Korea Institute of Geoscience & MIneral Resources, 2005, Basic Groundwater Survey of Hongseong.

33

Ministry of Environment, 2022, 2022 LandCoverMap. https://egis.me.go.kr/.

34

Ministry of Environment, 2023, The 4th Basic Groundwater Management Plan.

35

Moon, S.-H., Lee, J., Kim, K., and Ju, J.-w., 2022, Estimation of groundwater quality and background level in Boseong area, South Korea, Korea Econ. Environ. Geol., v.55, p.29-43.

10.9719/EEG.2022.55.1.29
36

Müller, D., Blum, A., Hart, A., Hookey, J., Kunkel, R., Scheidleder, A., Tomlin, C., and Wendland, F., 2006, Final proposal for a methodology to set up groundwater threshold values in Europe. Deliverable D18, BRIDGE project, 63.

37

Nieto, P., Custodio, E., and Manzano, M., 2005, Baseline groundwater quality: a European approach, Environ. Sci. Policy., 8(4), 399-409.

10.1016/j.envsci.2005.04.004
38

Obeidat, M.M., Awawdeh, M., Al-Rub, F.A., and Al-Ajlouni, A., 2012, An innovative nitrate pollution index and multivariate statistical investigations of groundwater chemical quality of Umm Rijam Aquifer (B4), North Yarmouk River Basin, Jordan. Vouddouris K, Voutsa D. Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment, Croatia: InTech., 169-188.

39

Panneerselvam, B., Karuppannan, S., and Muniraj, K., 2020, Evaluation of drinking and irrigation suitability of groundwater with special emphasiznig the health risk posed by nitrate contamination using nitrate pollution index (NPI) and human health risk assessment (HHRA). human and ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 27(5), 1324-1348.

10.1080/10807039.2020.1833300
40

Panno, S.V., Kelly, W.R., Martinsek, A.T., and Hackley, K.C., 2006, Estimating background and threshold nitrate concentrations using probability graphs, Groundwater., 44(5), 697-709.

10.1111/j.1745-6584.2006.00240.x
41

Parrone, D., Frollini, E., Masciale, R., Melita, M., Passarella, G., Preziosi, E., and Ghergo, S., 2022, A double pre-selection method for natural background levels assessment in coastal groundwater bodies, Environ. Pollu., 313, 120076.

10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120076
42

Preziosi, E., Parrone, D., Del Bon, A., and Ghergo, S., 2014, Natural background level assessment in groundwaters: probability plot versus pre-selection method, J. Geochem. Explor., 143, 43-53.

10.1016/j.gexplo.2014.03.015
43

Richa, A., Touil, S., and Fizir, M., 2022, Recent advances in the source identification and remediation techniques of nitrate contaminated groundwater: A review, J. Environ. Manage., 316, 115265.

10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115265
44

Rahman, A., Tiwari, K.K., and Mondal, N.C., 2020, Assessment of hydrochemical backgrounds and threshold values of groundwater in a part of desert area, Rajasthan, India, Environ. Pollu., 266, 115150.

10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115150
45

Rodriguez, J., Perez, B., Nebot, C., Falque, E., and Simal-Gandara, J., 2020, Food production link to underground waters quality in A Limia river basin, Agr. Ecosys. Environ., 297, 106969.

10.1016/j.agee.2020.106969
46

Runnells, D.D., Dupon, D.P., Jones, R.L., and Cline, D.J., 1998, Determination of natural background concentrations of dissolved components in water at mining, milling and smelting sites, MIN ENG (LITTLETON COLO)., 50(2), 69-71.

47

Sellerino, M., Forte, G., and Ducci, D., 2019, Identification of the natual background levels in the Phlaegrean fields groundwater body (Southern Italy), J. Geochem. Explor., 200, 181-192.

10.1016/j.gexplo.2019.02.007
48

Sinclair, A.J., 1991, A fundamental approach to threshold estimation in exploration geochemistry: probability plots revisited, J. Geochem. Explor., 41(1-2), 1-22.

10.1016/0375-6742(91)90071-2
49

Stetzenbach, K.J., Farnham, I.M., Hodge, V.F., and Johannesson, K.H., 1999, Using multivariate statistical analysis of groundwater major cation and trace element concentrations to evaluate groundwater flow in a regional aquifer, Hydrol. Process., 13(17), 2655-2673.

10.1002/(SICI)1099-1085(19991215)13:17<2655::AID-HYP840>3.0.CO;2-4
50

Wendland, F., Berthold, G., Blum, A., Elsass, P., Fritsche, J.G., Kunkel, R., and Wolter, R., 2008, Derivation of natural background levels and threshold values for groundwater bodies in the Upper Rhine Valley (France, Switzerland and Germany), Desalination, 226(1-3), 160-168.

10.1016/j.desal.2007.01.240
51

Yea, Y.D., Seo, Y.G., Kim, R.H., Cho, D.J., Kim, K.S., and Cho, W.S., 2014, A study on estimating background concentration of groundwater for water quality assessment in non-water supply district, J. Kor. Soc. Water Wastewater., 28(3), 345-358.

10.11001/jksww.2014.28.3.345
52

Younker, J. Zamlynny, L., Spearns, C., and Rand, J., 2021, Nitrate management in a rural drinking water supply, J. Water Process Eng., 43, 102301.

10.1016/j.jwpe.2021.102301
53

Yun, S.T., Chae, K.T., Koh, Y.K., Kim, S.Y., Choi, B.Y., Lee, B.H., and Kim, S.Y., 1998, Hydrogeochemical and enviornmental isotope study of groundwaters in the Pungki Area, J. Soil Groundwater Environ., 5(4), 177-191.

54

Zhang, X., Xu, Z., Sun, X., Dong, W., and Ballantine, D., 2013, Nitrate in shallow groundwater in typical argricultural and forest ecosystems in China, 2004-2010, J. Environ Sci., 25(5), 1007-1014.

10.1016/S1001-0742(12)60139-9
55

Zhang, X., Zhang, Y., Shi, P., Bi, Z., and Ren, L., 2021, The deep challenge of nitrate pollution in river water of China, Sci. Total Environ., 770, 144674.

10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144674
Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국지하수토양환경학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
  • Journal Title(Ko) :지하수토양환경
  • Volume : 29
  • No :6
  • Pages :116-130
  • Received Date : 2024-10-25
  • Revised Date : 2024-11-20
  • Accepted Date : 2024-12-11
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7857/JSGE.2024.29.6.116
Journal Informaiton Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
Online Submission
  • KOFST
  • KISTI Current Status
  • KISTI Cited-by
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close