Human Impact on Groundwater Environment, 2nd Edition

Abstract submission deadline

31 May 2026

Manuscript submission deadline

31 July 2026

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1024

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Topic will gather novel and innovative works of general interest to the journal’s audience related to the environmental implications of ever-growing human activities, with a particular emphasis on the changes that these are inducing in groundwater. Global demand for water is projected to outstrip supply by 40% in 2030 and 55% in 2050 as a result of climate change, a rising global population, economic growth, rapid urbanization, and increased water–energy–food nexus pressures. Humans are thus now facing the critical challenge of preserving our groundwater resources from biological and chemical contamination induced by its own point and diffuse sources. Addressing this challenge will require a holistic approach that addresses new issues and emerging contaminants, as well as multiple embedded risks, to ultimately conduct a comprehensive environmental and human health risk assessment.  Compared to environmental issues, there is a greater focus on hydrogeochemical monitoring and modeling. The sustainable management of groundwater resources is consistent not only with protecting groundwater but also with protecting the natural ecosystems that depend on groundwater. Groundwater is a habitat for extremely small animals and supports life in pores, cracks, and caves. In addition, groundwater can provide water for rivers and sustain endemic flora and fauna in riverside areas. This Topic will not only focus on human impacts on groundwater but will also include the environment, considering both hydrogeological and complex ecosystems.

Consequently, the contributions to this Topic will cover varied topics related to human impacts on groundwater resources, including but not limited to emerging topics dealing with water resource vulnerability and human impacts, including emerging and chemical contaminants; advances in analytical techniques used to monitor and identify sources and processes controlling human contaminants in water resources; advances in hydrological processes and hydrodynamic models for investigating water vulnerability to human impact; analysis of urban growth consequences for water resources and water management; remote sensing applications for water vulnerability assessment; and linkages between water vulnerability, scarcity, security, and sustainability.

In this Topic, we will fill research gaps on applications of hydrochemistry (including measurements of radioactive and stable isotope ratios, nutrients, trace elements, and organic components) in environmental research by requesting manuscripts that constitute original contributions on hydrogeology, nutrient balances, pollution, and environmental changes, as well as modeling or empirical studies aimed at improving our mechanistic understanding of short- and long-term chemical variations in global hydrological systems. The submission of inter- and multidisciplinary original research and review papers is particularly encouraged.

Prof. Dr. Zongjun Gao
Dr. Jiutan Liu
Dr. Qiao Su
Dr. Tengfei Fu
Dr. Dakang Wang
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Earth earth	2.1	3.3	2020	23.7 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Hydrology hydrology	3.1	4.9	2014	15.3 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	19.7 Days	CHF 2400	Submit
Water water	3.0	5.8	2009	17.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering jmse	2.7	4.4	2013	16.4 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Agriculture agriculture	3.3	4.9	2011	19.2 Days	CHF 2600	Submit

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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All Earth Hydrology Sustainability Water JMSE Agriculture

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17 pages, 7346 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Comprehensive Hydrochemical Analysis, Controlling Mechanisms, and Water Quality Assessment of Surface and Groundwater in a Typical Intensive Agricultural Area, Northern China

by Zongjun Gao, Tingting Huang, Jinkai Chen, Hong Tian, Menghan Tan, Yiru Niu and Kexin Lou

Water 2025, 17(2), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17020276 - 19 Jan 2025

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Abstract

Groundwater is a significant source of water, and evaluating its hydrochemical attributes, quality, and associated health risks holds paramount importance in guaranteeing safe water access for the population and fostering sustainable socio-economic progress. Situated within a semi-arid region, the Dianbu area (DBA) features [...] Read more.

Groundwater is a significant source of water, and evaluating its hydrochemical attributes, quality, and associated health risks holds paramount importance in guaranteeing safe water access for the population and fostering sustainable socio-economic progress. Situated within a semi-arid region, the Dianbu area (DBA) features numerous greenhouses interspersed amongst open farmlands. An examination revealed a discernible decline in the overall water chemistry environment in this area. This study extensively examined the fundamental water chemistry characteristics of groundwater and surface water samples through a statistical analysis, Piper’s trilinear diagram, ion ratios, and other analytical methods. The assessment of irrigation water quality was conducted using the entropy weight water quality index (EWQI), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), percentage of soluble sodium (Na%), among other relevant indicators. The findings demonstrate multiple key aspects: 1. Water cations are chiefly composed of Ca²⁺ and Na⁺, while groundwater anions are notably NO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ dominant, defining the water type as NO₃-SO₄-Ca. Conversely, surface water primarily displays HCO₃⁻ and SO₄²⁻ anions, aligning it with an HCO₃-SO₄-Ca water type. 2. The extensive agricultural activities in the region, coupled with the excessive utilization of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, as well as the discharge of domestic sewage, contribute to heightened NO₃⁻ concentrations in groundwater. 3. The water quality assessments indicate that approximately 53% of agricultural water quality meets irrigation standards based on EWQI, with SAR results suggesting around 65.52% suitability for irrigation and Na% findings indicating approximately 55.88% viability for this purpose. Proper water selection tailored to specific conditions is advised to mitigate potential soil salinization risks associated with long-term irrational irrigation practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Human Impact on Groundwater Environment, 2nd Edition)

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