A preliminary study of natural background levels of groundwater in the Zhujiang River Delta

Abstract：Based on a comparison of methods adopted both in China and abroad, the authors calculated natural background levels of TDS, Cl-, SO2-4 and TFe in shallow groundwater of the Zhujiang River Delta by using SPSS statistical software, and discussed the spatial distribution regularity as well as the controlling factors. The major controlling factors in the Zhujiang River Delta include mainly topography, regional hydrodynamic conditions and saltwater intrusion. The results obtained provide scientific references for the evaluation of groundwater contamination in the Zhujiang River Delta.