Evaluation of groundwater quality in the Xinjiang plain area

Groundwater is the main source of drinking water for the urban and rural residents in the plain area of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The quality of groundwater has a direct relationship with human health. Thus, 386 groundwater samples collected from April to August in 2003 were analyzed. The samples were collected in basic evaluation units which are determined on the basis of watersheds. Total dissolved solids, total hardness, pH value, NH₃-N, C₆H₅OH, Chemiluminescence detection of permanganate index (COD_Mn) and intestinal germ group were evaluated according to the guidelines of Groundwater Quality Standard (GB/T14848-93). The quality of the groundwater in each evaluation unit was classified by using the One Veto Method (a unified approach stipulated by the Ministry of Water Resources). The results indicate that the groundwater in the mainstream area of the Tarim Basin and the Yerqiang River Sub-basin belongs to Category V; the groundwater in the Wulungu River Sub-basin, the Kaidu-Kongque River Sub-basin, the Kashgar River Sub-basin, the Cherchen River Sub-basin and the Hotan River Subbasin belongs to Category IV; the groundwater in the Aibi Lake System belongs to Category II, and the groundwater of other evaluation units belongs to Category III. The causes of water quality formation were concisely analyzed. The results can be useful for the evaluation and management of water resources in the Xinjiang Plain Area.