Hydrochemical characteristics and quality assessment of groundwater for irrigation use in central and eastern Songnen Plain, Northeast China

The hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in Songnen Plain’s agricultural area were analyzed based on aquifer types and topography classification to evaluate irrigation suitability and factors influencing groundwater quality. Samples of different groundwater types and topographical conditions within the research area were collected and chemical indices, such as sodium adsorption ratio, %Na+, residual sodium carbonate, and magnesium hazard values, were calculated to assess the groundwater suitability for irrigation. The results indicated that groundwater was generally neutral, with low total dissolved solids and slightly high hardness; the dominant anion in groundwater was HCO3−, while Ca2+ was the relatively stable primary cation found in water samples from the high plain and river valley plain. The nitrate in groundwater significantly exceeded WHO drinking water standards, especially in the unconfined water of the high plain, which was due to the large-scale agricultural production activities in the eastern regions. The main reactions in the groundwater system were weathering and dissolution of carbonates and sulfates and ion-exchange reactions. Horizontal zoning in water chemical characteristics was prominent; from the high plain to river valley plain and low plain, the hydrochemistry gradually transitioned from HCO3-Ca-Na to HCO3-Na-Ca and HCO3-Na. Based on the chemical indices, the majority of samples were suitable for agricultural irrigation except for some in the western area with high salinity and sodium hazards. Treatment measures to groundwater and soil should be taken to reduce the possibility of soil salinization and promote crop growth in these latter regions.