Characteristics, causes and development suggestions of high quality groundwater containing metasilicate in Zhaojue area, Sichuan Province

This paper is the result of hydrogeological survey engineering.

Objective In recent years, the drinking water health issues has been taken due to the improvement of living standards. Finding and developing high- quality groundwater with high- level minerals (e.g. H₂SiO₃) has become the key step in improving human health.

Methods The hydrogeological survey and groundwater pollution survey were carried out in the Zhaojue County, and the spatial distributions of H₂SiO₃-rich groundwater, hydrogeochemical components characteristics and factors were revealed.

Results The main results including: (1)The groundwater with H₂SiO₃ (≥ 25mg/L) was identified as the low salinity and alkaline water, which distributed in the six areas with the basement rocks of basalt. The H₂SiO₃ concentration was generally 25.74-46.04 mg/L, pH level was generally 7.4- 8.58, and TDS level is generally 49.4- 333 mg/L; (2)The H₂SiO₃- rich groundwater of study area was characterized by the low mineralization while the main hydrochemical types of groundwater are HCO₃- Ca·Mg and HCO₃- Ca; (3) The H₂SiO₃- rich groundwater was influenced by the water- rock interactions, the distribution range and solubility of silicate minerals, the development of surrounding rock fissures, and water conservation and recharge conditions in the county, among which the water- rock interactions play a critical role; (4) It is necessary to further reveal the main factors affecting the distribution and migration of H₂SiO₃ in groundwater in the subsequent development and utilization process.

Conclusions The results can provide a basis for the development of mineral water industry and the construction of urban and rural high-quality water sources in Zhaojue area.