Anthropogenic pollutant sources of sulfur and nitrogen of groundwater in the Sichuan Basin, China

Abstract

Degradation of groundwater quality in the Sichuan Basin was studied, based on the major element chemistry and stable isotopic ratios of sulfate-sulfur and nitrate-nitrogen of groundwater and surfacewater collected from the four cities along the Minjiang and Yangtze rivers. The degradation of groundwater quality was due to anthropogenic sulfur and nitrogen contamination. Although air pollutant is the dominant source, the contributions of household waste water and industrial effluent increase toward downstream. Agricultural activities is another source, however, it influences only the local groundwater in the farmyard.