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Research ArticleResearch Section

A three-pronged approach for identifying source and extent of nitrate contamination in groundwater

Y. Ju, D. Kaown and K.-K. Lee
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation September 2018, 73 (5) 493-503; DOI: https://doi.org/10.2489/jswc.73.5.493
Y. Ju
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D. Kaown
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K.-K. Lee
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Abstract

A method to delineate the nitrate (NO3−) contamination of a study area by sequential and statistical use of dual isotope data, principal component analysis (PCA), and land use/land cover (LULC) data was demonstrated using data from Eumseong, Korea. First, a dual isotope approach was applied to identify the possible NO3− sources and quantify their contribution to NO3− contamination using Bayesian statistics. Second, a PCA was performed to discriminate and evaluate the impact of NO3− contamination on chemical evolution in the aquifer. Lastly, we incorporated the LULC data into a regression analysis to identify the contribution of various land uses to NO3− recharge. Some samples had NO3− and iron (Fe) concentrations above the local drinking water quality standard, and the distributions of potassium (K+), sulfate (SO42−), Fe, and manganese (Mn) were skewed significantly. Trends from the dual isotope analysis suggested three major sources of NO3− contamination. Among the three sources, Bayesian statistics indicated that the NO3− contamination was largely attributable to influx from manure/sewage and soil nitrogen (N). Based on the PCA, following screening for skewed data, a contamination indicator was extracted. The indicator exhibited positive correlations with NO3−, chlorine (Cl−), strontium (Sr2+), calcium (Ca2+), sodium (Na+), magnesium (Mg2+), K+, and SO42−, suggesting a single strong source. The regression analysis, using the LULC information, determined that agriculture activities in nonpaddy areas were responsible for the NO3− recharge. This study identified the benefits of combining dual isotope analysis, PCA, and LULC data for discriminating and evaluating sources of NO3− contamination when diverse contaminants are involved in geochemical evolution.

  • © 2018 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society

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Journal of Soil and Water Conservation: 73 (5)
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation
Vol. 73, Issue 5
September/October 2018
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A three-pronged approach for identifying source and extent of nitrate contamination in groundwater
Y. Ju, D. Kaown, K.-K. Lee
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation Sep 2018, 73 (5) 493-503; DOI: 10.2489/jswc.73.5.493

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A three-pronged approach for identifying source and extent of nitrate contamination in groundwater
Y. Ju, D. Kaown, K.-K. Lee
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation Sep 2018, 73 (5) 493-503; DOI: 10.2489/jswc.73.5.493
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