Investigating sources, driving forces and potential health risks of nitrate and fluoride in groundwater of a typical alluvial fan plain

Groundwater of alluvial fan plains is the foremost water source, especially in arid/semiarid regions. Its contaminants are big issues for water supply and public health concern. To reveal the groundwater chemistry, contaminants sources and health threats in alluvial aquifers, 81 groundwaters were collected from a typical alluvial fan plain of northern China for nitrogen, fluoride and major ions analysis. Statistical analysis and hydrochemical diagrams as well as human health risk assessment were performed. Nitrate is widely distributed and 53% of groundwaters exceed the permissible limit with the maximum concentration up to 326 mg/L. The distributions of nitrite, ammonia and fluoride contaminants are sporadic in spatial, and the concentrations of fluoride in groundwaters are slightly beyond the permissible limit of 1 mg/L. The hydrochemical facies shift from HCO3-Ca or Mixed HCO3-Na·Ca type to Mixed Cl-Mg·Ca and ClCa type with the increase of nitrate content. Two factors (Factor-1 and Factor-2) are extracted by factor analysis and account 63% of the total variances. The positive loading of F− and negative loading of NO3− on Factor-2 reveal geogenic and anthropogenic origins, respectively. The significant positive loadings of TDS, TH, SO42−, Cl−, Ca2+, Mg2+ on Factor-1 reveal the governing mechanisms on groundwater chemistry by intermixed sources of geogenic origins and anthropogenic inputs. Hydrogeochemical evolution in the study area is driven by both water-rock interaction and anthropogenic forces. Anthropogenic inputs/influences are the dominated forces increasing groundwater nitrate content and salinity in the piedmont zone and the residential and industrial zone of the southeastern lower parts, and would pose potential non-carcinogenic risks to various populations via oral intake pathway. Rational measures should be taken to protect groundwater quality out of the threats of anthropogenic pollution. The geogenic fluoride in groundwater would threat the health of children through oral pathway and should be also concerned. The driving forces of groundwater chemistry in alluvial fan plains were revealed using integrated approach of factor analysis and geostatistical modelling.