Long-term hydrochemical monitoring and geothermometry:understanding groundwater salinization and thermal fluid contamination in Mila’s basin,Northeastern Algeria

The regular hydrochemical monitoring of groundwater in the Mila basin over an extended period has provided valuable insights into the origin of dissolved salts and the hydrogeochemical processes controlling water salinization.The data reveals that the shallow Karst aquifer shows an increase in TDS of 162 mg L^(-1) while the ther-mal carbonate aquifer that is also used for drinking water supply exhibits an increase of 178 mg L^(-1).Additionally,significant temperature variations are recorded at the sur-face in the shallow aquifers and the waters are carbo-gaseous.Analysis of dissolved major and minor elements has identified several processes influencing the chemical composition namely:dissolution of evaporitic minerals,reduction of sulphates,congruent and incongruent car-bonates’dissolution,dedolomitization and silicates’weathering.The hydrogeochemical and geothermometric results show a mixing of saline thermal water with recharge water of meteoric origin.Two main geothermalfields have been identified,a partially evolved water reservoir and a water reservoir whosefluid interacts with sulphuric acid(H_(2)S)of magmatic origin.These hot waters that are char-acterized by a strong hydrothermal alteration do ascend through faults and fractures and contribute to the contamination of shallower aquifers.Understanding the geothermometry and the hydrogeochemistry of waters is crucial for managing and protecting the quality of groundwater resources in the Mila basin,in order to ensure sustainable water supply for the region.A conceptual model for groundwater circulation and mineralization acquisition has been established to further enhance under-standing in this regard.

The source of lithium in Lakkor Co Salt Lake on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China:evidence from hydrochemical characteristics and boron isotope

The availability of lithium resources is of great significance for the development of modern technologies,as well as for civil and military industries.The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a region known for its abundance of lithium-rich salt lakes.However,the specific origin of lithium in these lakes is still unknown,which hinders the advancement of the lithium resource business in this region.To research this issue,this study involved the collection of 20 samples from Lakkor Co Salt Lake on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,encompassing samples of surface brine,cold springs,fresh lakes,and recharge rivers.The composition of anions and cations in these samples was determined.Furthermore,the analysis extensivelyutilizedthePiperthree-linediagram,Gibbs model,and ion proportion coefficient.The findings of this study indicate that as the moves from the recharge water system to salt lake,there is a transition in water type from strong carbonate to moderate carbonate and weak carbonate,as well as Na sulfate.This research based on a similar source of both lithium and boron,utilized ion correlation analysis and boron isotope study in the Lakkor Co area,and analyzed the source and transporting process of lithium.The main origin of lithium in Lakkor Co is the dissolution of lithiumrich rocks,recharge water systems,and deep hydrothermal fluids.These findings are highly significant in enhancing the foundational data of lithium-rich brine resources in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and are beneficial for assessing the future development of such deposits.

Reactive Transport Process of Earthquake-induced Hydrochemical Changes in Guanding Thermal Spring,Western Sichuan,China

Earthquake-related hydrochemical changes in thermal springs have been widely observed;however,quantitative modeling of the reactive transport process is absent.In the present study,we apply reactive transport simulation to capture the hydrochemical responses in a thermal spring following the Wenchuan Ms 8.0 and Lushan Ms 7.0 earthquakes.We first constrain deep reservoir geothermal fluid compositions and temperature by multicomponent geothermometry,and then a reactive geochemical transport model is constructed to reproduce the hydrochemical evolution process.The results show that the recharge from the shallow aquifer increases gradually until it reaches a peak because of the permeability enhancement caused by the Lushan earthquake,which may be the mechanism to explain the earthquake-related hydrochemical responses.In contrast to the postseismic effect of the Wenchuan earthquake,the chemical evolution can be considered as hydrochemical anomalies related to the Lushan earthquake.This study proves that the efficient simulation of reactive transport processes is useful for investigating earthquake-related signals in hydrochemical time series.

Temporal and spatial variations hydrochemical components and driving factors in Baiyangdian Lake in the Northern Plain of China

Understanding the temporal and spatial variation of hydrochemical components in large freshwater lakes is crucial for effective management and conversation.In this study,we identify the temporalspatial characteristics and driving factors of the hydrochemical components in Baiyangdian Lake using geochemical methods(Gibbs diagram,Piper diagram and End-element diagram of ion ratio)and multivariate statistical techniques(Principal component analysis and Correlation analysis).16 sets of samples were collected from Baiyangdian Lake in May(normal season),July(flood season),and December(dry season)of 2022.Results indicate significant spatial variation in Nat,ci,SO and NO,,suggesting a strong influence of human activities.Cation concentrations exhibit greater seasonal variation in the dry season compared to the flood season,while the concentrations of the four anions show inconsistent seasonal changes due to the combined effects of river water chemical composition and human activities.The hydrochemical type of Baiyangdian Lake is primarily HCO,Cl-Na.Ca,Mg*and HCO,originate mainly from silicate and carbonate rock dissolution,while Kt,Nat and CI originate mainly from sewage and salt dissolution in sediments.SO42 may mainly stem from industrial wastewater,while NO,primarily originates from animal feces and domestic sewage.Through the use of Principal Component Analysis,it is identified that water-rock interaction(silicate and carbonate rocks dissolution,and dissolution of salt in sediments),carbonate sedimentation,sewage,agricultural fertilizer and manure,and nitrification are the main driving factors of the variation of hydrochemical components of Baiyangdian Lake across three hydrological seasons.These findings suggest the need for effective control of substandard domestic sewage discharge,optimization of agricultural fertilization strategies,and proper management of animal manure to comprehensively improve the water environment in Baiyangdian Lake.

Environmental significance and hydrochemical characteristics of rivers in the western region of the Altay Mountains,China

Analysis of environmental significance and hydrochemical characteristics of river water in mountainous regions is vital for ensuring water security.In this study,we collected a total of 164 water samples in the western region of the Altay Mountains,China,in 2021.We used principal component analysis and enrichment factor analysis to examine the chemical properties and spatiotemporal variations of major ions(including F-,Cl-,NO_(3)-,SO_(4)^(2-),Li+,Na+,NH4+,K+,Mg^(2+),and Ca^(2+))present in river water,as well as to identify the factors influencing these variations.Additionally,we assessed the suitability of river water for drinking and irrigation purposes based on the total dissolved solids,soluble sodium percentage,sodium adsorption ratio,and total hardness.Results revealed that river water had an alkaline aquatic environment with a mean pH value of 8.00.The mean ion concentration was ranked as follows:Ca^(2+)>SO_(4)^(2-)>Na+>NO_(3)->Mg^(2+)>K+>Cl->F->NH_(4)+>Li+.Ca^(2+),SO_(4)^(2-),Na+,and NO_(3)-occupied 83%of the total ion concentration.In addition,compared with other seasons,the spatial variation of the ion concentration in spring was obvious.An analysis of the sources of major ions revealed that these ions originated mainly from carbonate dissolution and silicate weathering.The recharge impact of precipitation and snowmelt merely influenced the concentration of Cl-,NO_(3)-,SO_(4)^(2-),Ca^(2+),and Na+.Overall,river water was in pristine condition in terms of quality and was suitable for both irrigation and drinking.This study provides a scientific basis for sustainable management of water quality in rivers of the Altay Mountains.

Hydrochemical Characterization of Groundwater in the Sub-Prefecture of Kokumbo (Ivory Coast)

In the Kokumbo sub-prefecture, groundwater extraction related to gold panning remains a major concern, not to mention the deterioration of its quality. Among the work carried out on water resources, no scientific interest has been shown in groundwater to characterise it. The objective of this study is to contribute to the knowledge of its physico-chemical quality. In situ measurements and physico-chemical analyses using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) were carried out on five (5) human-powered pump (HPP) water samples and six (6) well water samples collected during low and high water seasons. The results show that the physico-chemical quality of the water, which is sometimes turbid, is satisfactory in terms of the mineralization of the borehole and well water, and the pH of the boreholes, while the temperatures of the two waters and the pH of the wells do not comply with WHO standards. The levels of major ions are recommended for consumption. The waters are classified as predominantly bicarbonate-calcium and magnesium (73%) in the dry season and in the flood season, with an equal split between bicarbonate-calcium and magnesium (45.5%) and chloride-calcium and magnesium (45.5%). The elimination of materials responsible for the turbidity of certain waters by managers or populations is essential for drinking water use. The risk linked to this element means that these turbid waters are not recommended for drinking water.

Analysis on the Hydrochemical Characteristics of Groundwater and the Formation Reason in Wadi Bay Area of Libya

[Objective] The research aimed to analyze the formation reason of groundwater hydrochemical characteristics in the dry valley area of Wadi Bay of Libya and provide the scientific basis for the reasonable development utilization and the environmental protection of groundwater.[Method] Took Wadi Bay area（dry valley）of Libya as the example,Piper trilinear graphic representation method,the descriptive statistics,the ion ratio coefficient method and the isotope evidence were used to systematically study the special hydrochemical characteristics of shallow groundwater in the arid climate condition in Wadi Bay area of Libya.[Result] The salt content of groundwater in the area was very high,and TDS was during 3.2-8.4 g/L.The main groundwater type was Cl·SO4-Na·Ca,then was Cl·SO4-Na·Ca·Mg.The concentrations of Cl-,Na＋ and SO2-4,etc.in the groundwater in 70 km from the sea had the remarkable variation,but the concentrations of Mn2＋,Ba2＋,Si2＋,NH＋4 and NO-3 didn＇t have the same variation phenomenon.[Conclusion] The hydrochemical characteristics of shallow groundwater didn＇t relate to the dissolution infiltration reaction,the evaporation concentration effect and human activities.The major cause was the mixing effect of salt and fresh water in the invasion process of seawater.

Preliminary Results on Hydrological and Hydrochemical Features of Kartamak Glacier Area in Mt. Muztag Ata

The variations of the meltwater runoff draining from Kartamak Glacier in Mt. Muztag Ata in China were studied by using the measured hydrological data from 1 June to 25 August 2003. The meltwater runoff is mainly affected by ambient temperature and precipitation. Meltwater and precipitation samples were collected from 10 to 23 August 2003. Their pH, EC (electric conductivity) and the major ions (Na^+, K^+, Ca^(2+), Mg^(2+), Cl^-, NO_3^-, SO_~4^(2-)) were determined. pH values showed a positive correlation with EC values for all samples. Meltwater samples were slightly alkaline. Sulfate and calcium were the dominant anion and cation in the measured ions, respectively. All the ion concentrations had inverse relationships with runoff or water level. In order to discuss the origins of dissolved chemical substances in the glacial meltwater, a principal component analysis was carried out. The results showed that water-rock interaction determined the ion components of the meltwater.

Hydrochemical characteristics and water quality evaluation of shallow groundwater in Suxian mining area,Huaibei coalfield,China

The aim of this study is to evaluate the hydrogeochemical characteristics and water environmental quality of shallow groundwater in the Suxian mining area of Huaibei coalfield,China.The natural formation process of shallow groundwater in Suxian is explored using Piper trilinear charts and Gibbs diagrams,and by examining the ratios between the major ions.United States Salinity Laboratory(USSL)charts,Wilcox diagrams,and the water quality index(WQI)are further employed to quantify the differences in water quality.The results reveal that the main hydrochemical facies of groundwater are HC03-Ca,and that silicate dissolution is the main factor controlling the ion content in shallow groundwater.The USSL charts and Wilcox diagrams show that most of the water samples would be acceptable for use in irrigation systems.The WQI results for each water sample are compared and analyzed,and the quality of groundwater samples around collapse ponds is found to be relatively poor.

Hydrochemical characteristics and geochemistry evolution of groundwater in the plain area of the Lake Baiyangdian watershed,North China Plain

Water cycle and water quality in the Lake Baiyangdian watershed of the North China Plain have undergone great changes due to over-pumping of groundwater and wastewater discharge.In this paper,hydrogeochemical data was collected to analyze the hydrochemical characteristics and geochemistry evolution of groundwater.The study area was divided into two typical parts.One was in the upstream plain area,where over-pumping had resulted in significant decline of groundwater level;the other one was located in the downstream area near the Fu River and Lake Baiyangdian(Lake BYD region).In addition to the natural weathering of minerals,excessive fertilizer was also a main factor of higher ion concentration in groundwater.According to studies,due to good permeability,these regions were easy to be polluted even with deep groundwater depth.However,upstream shallow groundwater and surface water,including lake water,domestic along with industrial wastewater were all sources of present shallow groundwater in the Lake BYD region.Results indicated that anthropogenic activities rather than minerals much matter to the groundwater in these regions.Particularly,wastewater largely decided the groundwater quality,which suggested that the management and restoration of surface water quality was crucial to groundwater protection.

Hydrochemical Dynamic Characteristics and Evolution of Underground Brine in the Mahai Salt Lake of the Qaidam Basin Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The mineral rock salts present in the Mahai Salt Lake of the Qaidam basin exhibit high solubilities in water. In addition, the multicomponent underground brine exhibits a high salinity and is easily precipitated. In the natural state, brine transport in the brine layer is extremely slow, and the brine is in a relatively stable chemical equilibrium state with the rock salt media. However, during mining, both the seepage and the chemical fields fluctuate significantly, thereby disrupting the equilibrium and leading to variations in the chemical composition and dynamic characteristics of the brine. Therefore, we selected underground brine from the Mahai Salt Lake, collecting a total of 183 brine samples over three stages of mining（i.e., the early stage of underground brine extraction, the initial stage of mining, and the later stage of mining）. Using a range of analytical techniques, the chemical dynamics of the underground brine water and its evolution were systematically studied. We found that evaporation and enrichment were the main mechanisms of underground brine evolution in the Mahai Salt Lake, with cation exchange and mineral dissolution/precipitation being key factors in determining the dynamic characteristics and evolution of the brine.

Study on hydrochemical characteristics and formation mechanism of shallow groundwater in eastern Songnen Plain

Under the influence of global climate changes and human activities, the Songnen Plain's groundwater environment is deteriorating, which becomes an important factor restricting the social economic development and ecological balance. As a relatively independent water system in the Songnen Plain, the groundwater system of the Songhua River provides the main water sources for industry, agriculture, life and other aspects. According to the hydrogeological investigation, groundwater sample collection and testing in the eastern Songnen Plain, descriptive statistics analysis, piper diagram, Gibbs diagram and reverse hydrogeochemical simulation were used to analyze the hydrochemical characteristics and evolution laws of regional groundwater. The results of this study show that HCO_3^- and Ca^(2+) are the main anion and cation in the groundwater; the formation of groundwater chemical components are controlled by topographic and geomorphic factors and groundwater occurrence conditions; groundwater subarea of the Lalin-Ashi River is mainly controlled by weathering-dissolution process, and evaporation and ion-exchange reactions are more obvious in groundwater subarea of the Hulan-Tongken River, whose chemical composition also affects the valley plain groundwater subarea in the discharge area; in addition, local high intensity withdrawal causes abnormal hydrochemical evolution processes. The research results can offer scientific basis for rational utilization and protection of groundwater.

Hydrochemical characteristics of salt marsh wetlands in western Songnen Plain

In western Songnen Plain of China, the saline-alkaline degree of water bodies is high in salt marsh wetlands. Generally, pH is above 8.0, and the hydrochemical types belong to HCO3 2?-Na+. Through analysis on the basic saline variables such as CO3 2?, HCO3 2?, Cl?, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO4 2?, Na+, and the derivative variables such as SAR, SDR, RSC, SSP, the relationships between different variables are found, and the discriminant equations are established to identify different saline-alkaline water bodies by using principal component analysis.

Hydrochemical characterization and irrigation suitability of the Ganges Brahmaputra River System:review and assessment

The hydrochemical characterization and irrigation suitability assessment of the GangesBrahmaputra River System(GBRS)has immense importance for the livelihoods of people and ecosystem sustainability in the region.This study aims to assess the hydrochemical characteristics and evaluate the irrigation suitability of water in the GBRS by reviewing published literature of the major tributaries.The studied rivers were categorized into two groups namely Group-1 and Group-2 considering the similarities of climatic patterns,hydrochemical attributes,and drainage characteristics.The hydrochemistry of the river water was characterized by the Piper diagram,Gibbs plot,mixing plots,and ionic ratios.Furthermore,irrigation water qualities were evaluated by electrical conductivity(EC),sodium percentage(Na%),sodium adsorption ratio(SAR),magnesium hazard(MH),and Wilcox diagram.The results indicated that the hydrochemistry of the GBRS was slightly alkaline to alkaline(7.42-8.78)in nature.The average concentrations of most of the chemical attributes showed higher in Group-1,whereas the average concentrations of K^(+) and NO_(3)^(-) were found higher in Group-2.The average concentration of the major ions followed the dominancy order Ca^(2+)>Mg^(2+)>Na^(+)>K^(+) for cations and HCO_(3)^(-)>SO_(4)^(2-)>Cl^(-)>NO_(3)^(-) for anions in both groups.Gibbs plot and mixing plot indicated that carbonate rock weathering dominates the hydrochemical process,which was further confirmed by the Piper diagram and the ionic ratios.From the analyses of irrigational water quality,almost all the rivers(except Gomti River in terms of MH and Rangit River in terms of Na%)in the GBRS were found to be suitable based on EC,SAR,Na%,MH,and Wilcox diagram.Finally,the majority of river systems in the GBRS were characterized by carbonate dominated lithology and irrigational water quality is mostly suitable for utilization.This study could be useful for water quality management in the glacial-fed Himalayan river under the context of global climate change.

Analysis on hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in strongly exploited area in Hutuo River Plain

The Hutuo River alluvial-proluvial fan is located in North China Plain, and groundwater is the main source of water supply for agriculture and domestic water. Shijiazhuang depression funnels due to the long-term excessive exploitation are the bottleneck of the regional economic development. Analyzing the chemical characteristics of groundwater under the condition of strong human activities, can provide a scientific basis for further study of strong groundwater mining area environmental change. 143 groups of shallow groundwater samples are collected during the period of 2007-2008. In this paper, the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in the Hutuo River Plain area are analyzed systematically, using hydrogeochemical theory, combined with statistical methods and hydrochemical methods. Results are shown as follows: HCO_3^- and Ca^(2+) are major anion and cation. The variation coefficients of K^+, Ca^(2+), Mg^(2+) and HCO_3^- between 0.25 and 0.52, which means small and stable relatively. The variation coefficient of are Na^+, NO_3^-, Cl-, SO2-4 were large(0.89-1.01). They are sensitive and vulnerable to environmental change affect. Due to the impact of human activities, from the top to the edge of the alluvial-proluvial fan, the hydrochemical types of groundwater change from single to multiple, followed by HCO_3^-Ca·Mg, HCO_3·SO_4-Ca·Mg, HCO_3·SO_4·Cl-Ca·Mg, HCO_3·Cl-Ca·Mg and other types.

Comprehensive geochemical/hydrochemical and geo-thermometry analysis of Unai geothermal field, Gujarat, India

The knowledge of water temperature produced from a geothermal reservoir and its composition is of utmost importance in designing utilization strategies, the surface production facilities and in selecting the material to be used. Unai hot springs are located in the southern part of Gujarat, India with discharge temperatures varying from 51 to 56 ℃. With the aim of developing Unai as a potential geothermal field and exploiting it in the future, geochemical and geothermometrical study was undertaken. The samples were collected from various Unai geothermal location and analysis of chemical composition of water obtained from different wells was done. The concentration of Silica, carbonate and ions like Na and Cl have been analyzed to delineate the path of water movement in the subsurface and classify the reservoir based on the enthalpy.The ratio of the concentration of ions like Na^+ and K^+ and the relative proportions of various sets of ions were also used to characterize the geothermal reservoir and the reservoir fluid by the use of ternary diagrams. Na–K–Ca,Chalcedony, quartz, and Silica geo-thermometers have been studied. The present study also envisages the importance of graphical representations like Piper diagram,Scholler etc. to determine variation in hydrochemical facies and to understand the evolution of hydrochemical processes in the Unai geothermal field respectively. The study yields the conclusion that the reservoir under consideration is a low enthalpy reservoir with temperature ranging from 60 to 80 ℃.

Hydrochemical characteristics and evolution of groundwater in the dried-up river oasis of the Tarim Basin,Central Asia

Intense human activities in arid areas have great impacts on groundwater hydrochemical cycling by causing groundwater salinization.The spatiotemporal distributions of groundwater hydrochemistry are crucial for studying groundwater salt migration,and also vital to understand hydrological and hydrogeochemical processes of groundwater in arid inland oasis areas.However,due to constraints posed by the paucity of observation data and intense human activities,these processes are not well known in the dried-up river oases of arid areas.Here,we examined spatiotemporal variations and evolution of groundwater hydrochemistry using data from 199 water samples collected in the Wei-Ku Oasis,a typical arid inland oasis in Tarim Basin of Central Asia.As findings,groundwater hydrochemistry showed a spatiotemporal dynamic,while its spatial distribution was complex.TDS and δ18O of river water in the upstream increased from west to east,whereas ion concentrations of shallow groundwater increased from northwest to southeast.Higher TDS was detected in spring for shallow groundwater and in summer for middle groundwater.Pronounced spatiotemporal heterogeneity demonstrated the impacts of geogenic,climatic,and anthropogenic conditions.For that,hydrochemical evolution of phreatic groundwater was primarily controlled by rock dominance and evaporation-crystallization process.Agricultural irrigation and drainage,land cover change,and groundwater extraction reshaped the spatiotemporal patterns of groundwater hydrochemistry.Groundwater overexploitation altered the leaking direction between the aquifers,causing the interaction between saltwater and freshwater and the deterioration of groundwater environment.These findings could provide an insight into groundwater salt migration under human activities,and hence be significant in groundwater quality management in arid inland oasis areas.

Forecasting changes of hydrological and hydrochemical conditions in the Aral Sea

The increase of irretrievable river water withdrawals and regulation of river flow has a negative effect on the natural regime of the Aral Sea. The Ainu Darya River and the Syr Darya River Basins are the largest irrigated farming areas. Their favorable soil and climatic conditions ensure guaranteed yields of various crops on irrigated lands. Since 1961, for the drastic increase of irretrievable river water withdrawal, mainly for irrigation, the inflow of fiver water into the Aral Sea has started to decrease significantly, accordingly the sea＇s hydrological and hydrochemical regimes disrupted dramatically. The sea level has continued to drop as evaporation exceeds inflow. This negatively transforms the natural environment and worsens socio-economic conditions in Priaralie as a whole, especially in the lower reaches of Amu Darya and Syr Darya, where natural conditions are largely determined by the sea＇s impact. At present, this causes desertification of the nonirrigated zone in the deltas, spreading to new areas as the Aral Sea dries out.

Ground water hydrochemical characteristics: seawater intruded area in eastern and southern coast of Laizhou Bay

Eastern and southern coastal zones of Laizhou Bay are the most representative seawater intruded areas in the world, with two intrusion sources of contemporary seawater and paleobrine. In order to reveal the complicated hydrochemical changing process and the mechanism of fresh groundwater being polluted by saltwater, we conducted long-term observation and hydrochemical analysis at four observing sections of typical salt-fresh water transitional zone. The study indicates that seawater and brine intrusion processes have different hydrochemical features, and that ion exchange and adsorption actions between water and aquifer produce great influence on the intrusion.

Analysis on temporal and spatial variations of groundwater hydrochemical characteristics in the past decade in southern plain of Beijing, China

Groundwater utilization and protection are crucial for sustainable urban development. This is especially true for Beijing, where groundwater is an important source for urban water supply. In this study, statistical methods, including descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, principal component analysis, and Piper-Tri-linear diagram, were used in analyzing the temporal and spatial variations of the hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater based on monitored data from the southern plain of Beijing, China. Results indicated consistent changes of groundwater's hydrochemical characteristics in different aquifers in the study area. The percentage of HCO_3^-in total anion increased significantly in the groundwater, and hydrochemical water type evolved gradually from Ca-Mg-Cl-SO_4 based to Ca-Mg-HCO_3 based from period 2005-2007 to period 2013-2015. In shallow groundwater, the concentration of Na^+, Ca^(2+), SO_4^(2-), HCO_3^-, and total dissolved solids(TDS) increased from period 2005-2007 to period 2013-2015, and the greatest change came from HCO_3^-, rising from 428.93 to 528.96 mgL^(-1). The changes of main ionic concentrations in the deep groundwater were consistent with those in the shallow groundwater for both periods. However, the variations in deep groundwater were less than those in shallow groundwater. The temporal and spatial variations of hydrochemical characteristics reflect the groundwater quality in the study area. This study could facilitate decision-making process on the protection of groundwater resources to ensure its sustainable utilization.