A hydrochemical framework and water quality assessment of river water in the upper reaches of the Huai River Basin, China

This study characterizes the major ion chemistry for river water in the upper reaches of Bengbu Sluice in the Huai River Basin in wet and dry seasons, and assessed the suitability of water quality for irrigation and human consumption. It is found that sodium and calcium are the dominant cations and bicarbonate is the dominant anion in most river water samples. River water in Zhoukou of the Ying River and Bozhou of the Guo River is characterized as a Na–Cl water type, whereas river water from the upper reaches and the lower reaches of the two cities is characterized as a Na-HCO3 water type, which may be attributed by anthropogenic influences in these cities. The river water types vary from the upstream to the downstream of the Fuyang sluice, which indicates that the sluices play a critical role in determining the water type. The water chemistry of these rivers clearly shows that the second group of rivers is affected more severely by waste effluent than is the first group. Calculated values of sodium adsorption ratio, %Na, and residual sodium carbonate indicate that, in general, most of the river water is of acceptable irrigation quality. The river water in Zhoukou section of the Ying River and the Bozhou section of the Guo River cannot be used as drinking water; pollution control should be further improved and enhanced across the river.