Dissolved organic matter sources in groundwater in alluvial fan of lower reaches of Yellow River and their influence on arsenic enrichment

LI Haolin; WEI Yulong; SU Chunli; JIANG Jiaqi; JIANG Ge; WANG Chunhui; LIU Haifeng

doi:10.19509/j.cnki.dzkq.tb20250110

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LI Haolin，WEI Yulong，SU Chunli，et al. Dissolved organic matter sources in groundwater in alluvial fan of lower reaches of Yellow River and their influence on arsenic enrichment[J]. Bulletin of Geological Science and Technology，2026，45（4）：1-11 doi: 10.19509/j.cnki.dzkq.tb20250110

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Dissolved organic matter sources in groundwater in alluvial fan of lower reaches of Yellow River and their influence on arsenic enrichment

doi: 10.19509/j.cnki.dzkq.tb20250110

LI Haolin^1
,,
WEI Yulong^{2, 3},
SU Chunli^{1
,
,},
JIANG Jiaqi¹,
JIANG Ge¹,
WANG Chunhui^{2, 3},
LIU Haifeng^{2, 3}

1.
School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), Wuhan 430078, China
2.
Henan Fifth Geological Exploration Institute Co., Ltd., Zhengzhou 450001, China
3.
Henan Provincial Natural Resources Science and Technology Innovation Center (Research on Ecological Environment Assessment and Restoration Technology), Zhengzhou 450001, China

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Author Bio:
E-mail：18538985753@163.com
Corresponding author: E-mail：chl.su@cug.edu.cn
Received Date: 10 Mar 2025
Accepted Date: 17 Jun 2025
Rev Recd Date: 16 Jun 2025

Available Online: 17 Jun 2025

Abstract

Abstract

Objective
The eastern Henan Plain is a typical agricultural irrigation area in the lower reaches of the Yellow River, where high-arsenic groundwater is widely distributed, posing a severe threat to drinking water safety. Revealing the biogeochemical mechanisms of arsenic migration and transformation in groundwater in alluvial plain aquifers can provide a scientific basis for prevention and control of endemic arsenic contamination.
Methods
In this study, 200 groundwater samples were collected from three geomorphic units, including Yellow River alluvial plain, crevasse splays, and interriver depressions, to identify the distribution of high-arsenic groundwater. Hydrogeochemical analysis, three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy, and parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) were applied to clarify its spatial differentiation pattern and the arsenic activation mechanism mediated by dissolved organic matter (DOM).
Results
High-arsenic groundwater (ρ(As)>10 μg/L) was mainly distributed in shallow aquifers at depths of 20-50 m. Its spatial distribution was controlled by sedimentary systems of modern Yellow River channel and paleochannels, forming enrichment zones at the fronts of crevasse splays and interriver depressions. DOM in high-arsenic groundwater was characterized by high aromaticity and strong humification, dominated by low-molecular-weight humic-like (C1, 54%) and fulvic-like (C3, 29%) components, revealing a synergistic input mechanism of terrestrial and microbial sources. Correlation analysis indicated that arsenic concentration in groundwater was significantly positively correlated with Fe(Ⅱ), NH₄⁺-N, and DOM components C1 and C3 F_max (maximum fluorescence intensity).
Conclusion
In weakly reducing to reducing sedimentary environments, arsenic activation is jointly controlled by two pathways: Microbially mediated reductive dissolution of Fe (hydr)oxides driven by organic matter, and desorption of humic-Fe-As complexes. Anaerobic degradation of tryptophan-like component (C2) enhances microbial metabolic activity and accelerates secondary release of arsenic from sediments. The results provide theoretical support for risk management and safe utilization of high-arsenic groundwater in the alluvial fan in the lower reaches of the Yellow River.
- arsenic,
- groundwater,
- dissolved organic matter (DOM),
- arsenic enrichment,
- alluvial fan in lower reaches of Yellow River,
- the eastern Henan Plain

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References(45)

References

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Dissolved organic matter sources in groundwater in alluvial fan of lower reaches of Yellow River and their influence on arsenic enrichment

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Dissolved organic matter sources in groundwater in alluvial fan of lower reaches of Yellow River and their influence on arsenic enrichment

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