Geochemical characteristics and groundwater quality in the Vientiane Plain, Laos

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dc.creatorBrindha, Karthikeyan
dc.creatorPavelic, Paul
dc.creatorSotoukee, Touleelor
dc.creatorDouangsavanh, Somphasith
dc.creatorElango, L.
dc.date2017-06
dc.date2016-11-22T04:51:41Z
dc.date2016-11-22T04:51:41Z
dc.date.accessioned2026-06-27T18:38:45Z
dc.descriptionGroundwater from the shallow aquifers of the Vientiane Plain, Laos is used for domestic needs including to some extent for drinking and for household gardening. The objective of this study is to assess the groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation activities and to determine the processes that lead to the presence of major ions in groundwater. Twenty groundwater samples were collected from a village on the Plain in December 2014, January 2015, and May 2015, and analysed for major ions and selected suite of minor ions and heavy metals. Groundwater is largely acidic, fresh and soft in nature. Geochemistry showed dominant Ca–Mg–HCO3 and mixed Ca–Na–HCO3 groundwater. Sodium impacts the suitability of water for irrigation to some extent. Hydrogeochemical processes identified and verified through factor analysis indicate weathering, carbonate dissolution, ion exchange, and anthropogenic sources including salinisation, due to irrigation and use of fertilizers as sources for the occurrence of major ions at such concentrations in this area. Only concentrations of lead and iron were above the permissible limits with arsenic, copper, zinc, mercury, and uranium found to be within safe limits. Background sample (groundwater) collected 5 km from the study area and the bottled water sample were all within suitable limits for drinking. This study is the first to provide a local-level assessment of geochemical processes in groundwater of this area indicating that the groundwater does not pose any threat to human health if used for drinking based on major ions, minor ions and a suite heavy metals except for iron and lead.
dc.identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/77803
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/123456789/161601
dc.languageen
dc.publisherSpringer
dc.rightsOpen Access
dc.sourceBrindha, Karthikeyan; Pavelic, Paul; Sotoukee, Touleelor; Douangsavanh, Somphasith; Elango, L. 2016. Geochemical characteristics and groundwater quality in the Vientiane Plain, Laos. Exposure and Health, 18p. (Online first) doi: 10.1007/s12403-016-0224-8
dc.subjectgeology
dc.subjectchemical composition
dc.subjecttoxicity
dc.subjectgroundwater
dc.subjectwater quality
dc.subjectwater level
dc.subjectdrinking water
dc.subjectdomestic water
dc.subjectirrigation water
dc.subjectaquifers
dc.subjectplains
dc.subjectheavy metals
dc.subjectpollutants
dc.subjectiron
dc.subjectarsenic
dc.subjectcopper
dc.subjectzinc
dc.subjectmercury
dc.subjecthealth hazards
dc.titleGeochemical characteristics and groundwater quality in the Vientiane Plain, Laos
dc.typeJournal Article

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Instituto Internacional para el Manejo del Agua (IWMI)