Using correlation and multivariate statistical analysis to identify hydrogeochemical processes affecting the major ion c
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Using correlation and multivariate statistical analysis to identify hydrogeochemical processes affecting the major ion chemistry of waters: a case study in Laoheba phosphorite mine in Sichuan, China Jianhua Wu & Peiyue Li & Hui Qian & Zhao Duan & Xuedi Zhang Received: 12 December 2012 / Accepted: 30 July 2013 # Saudi Society for Geosciences 2013
Abstract Prior to mining, the water in and around the mine is rarely influenced by human activities, and hydrogeochemical processes are the major factors influencing and controlling water chemistry. To identify these natural hydrogeochemical processes in Laoheba phosphorite mine (Sichuan Province, China), correlation and multivariate statistical techniques were used. Results show that water quality in the area is generally good before the Laoheba phosphorite mine goes into construction and production. The cluster analysis classified water samples into 4 clusters (C1–C4). Samples from C1 and C2 are of HCO3−Ca·Mg and HCO3−Ca type, while those from C3 and C4 are of HCO3−Ca·Mg type. Most parameters except Cl− and pH show an increasing trend in the order of C1 to C4. Three principal components were extracted, and PC1 represents the ion exchange and the weathering of calcite, dolomite, and silicate minerals. PC2 and PC3 indicate the process of water recharge from upstream waters and the process of evaporation, respectively. The hydrochemistry of waters in the area is a result of multiple factors, and natural mineral weathering and ion exchange are the most important ones.
J. Wu : P. Li (*) : H. Qian : X. Zhang School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Chang’an University, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, Shaanxi, China e-mail: [email protected] J. Wu : P. Li : H. Qian : X. Zhang Key Laboratory of Subsurface Hydrology and Ecological Effects in Arid Region, Ministry of Education, No. 126 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China Z. Duan College of Geology and Environment, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, No. 58 Yanta Road, Xi’an 710054, China
Keywords Hydrogeochemistry . Groundwater resources . Major ion chemistry . Water–rock interaction . Mineral weathering
Introduction In mining areas, water resources are important for human consumption, plant growth, and mine exploitation and their rational development has always been an important issue worthy of discussion. In mining areas, heavy metal pollution in water, soil, and sediments is popular and many cases of this kind have been reported (Prasad and Bose 2001; Razo et al. 2004; Nikolaidis et al. 2010). In fact, in addition to heavy metal pollution, various mining activities can also influence the concentrations of major ions in surface and groundwater in and around a mine (Singh et al. 2011). Therefore, it is quite important and useful to investigate and understand the major ion concentration variations prior to and after the mine production. Generally, prior to mining, major ions in water are usually controlled by natural processes, such as mineral weathering, ion exchange, water–rock interactions, etc. (Li
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