Assessment and Seasonal Monitoring of Groundwater Quality in Landfill-Affected Regions of China: Findings from Xiangyang

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Abstract
Groundwater pollution in landfill-adjacent regions presents a critical environmental and public health issue. This study evaluates groundwater quality in Xiangyang City, focusing on drinking water sources and key pollution points near landfill sites. The investigation involved a comprehensive field survey, systematic sampling, and laboratory analysis to determine pollutant types, sources, and concentrations. A total of 13 landfill sites were examined, with 178 groundwater samples analyzed for physical, chemical, and biological indicators during both wet and dry seasons. The findings reveal that 27.0% of groundwater samples meet Class I standards, while 46.1% and 27.0% fall into Class IV and V categories, respectively, indicating a significant prevalence of poor-quality groundwater. Seasonal variations were observed, with both wet and dry seasons showing consistent distributions of Class I, IV, and V samples. Heavy metals such as lead and arsenic, along with organic pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls and pesticides (e.g., hexachlorobenzene), were significant contaminants in several sites. Key indicators such as nitrate, ammonia nitrogen, manganese, and total hardness consistently exceeded standard limits, with the most affected sites including L4 and L5 in Xiangyang. This study identifies leachate infiltration as the primary cause of pollution, exacerbated by geological and agricultural non-point sources. Based on these findings, a robust framework for monitoring and controlling groundwater pollution is proposed, emphasizing stricter regulations, advanced monitoring systems, and cross-regional coordination. The results underscore the urgency of immediate intervention to safeguard groundwater quality in landfill-adjacent regions.
Funding Information
  • Central Environmental Protection Special Fund Project (2024GB086, HX2024ZX05, HX2024ZX12, HX2024ZX13)
  • Educational Science Planning Project of the Education Department of Hubei Province (2024GB086, HX2024ZX05, HX2024ZX12, HX2024ZX13)
  • Crossing Research Project of Hubei Land Resources Vocational College (2024GB086, HX2024ZX05, HX2024ZX12, HX2024ZX13)

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