Geological Processes: A Key to Understand Water Quality Issues

Dear Colleagues,

Geology plays a significant role in determining the quality of water resources. The type of bedrock, soil, and other geological formations in an area can influence the chemical composition of both the surface and groundwater. Factors like weathering, erosion, and the mineral composition of the underlying geology directly affect the water’s pH, its mineral content, and the presence of dissolved substances within it. The specific impacts are as follows: geological structures (such as faults and folds) and the permeability of rock and soil bodies directly affect the recharge, runoff and discharge processes of groundwater and surface water, thereby influencing water quality; the chemical composition of rocks and minerals within the geological body directly affects the chemical composition of water; fault zones, folds and other geological structures can affect the direction and speed of groundwater flow, and alter the exchange relationship between groundwater and surface water, thereby influencing water quality; geological disasters such as landslides and mudslides may cause a large amount of sediment and rocks to enter rivers, resulting in turbid water, siltation, and even changes in river courses, thereby having a significant impact on the surface water environment; during the process of mineral resource development, the waste rocks, tailings, etc., that are generated may contain pollutants such as heavy metals, which, if not properly treated may pollute groundwater and surface water, causing long-term impacts on the water environment. Engineering projects such as water conservancy and transportation construction can also alter the surface topography and underground water flow patterns, which may lead to changes in the hydrological cycle and in water quality. Therefore, understanding the geological characteristics of an area is crucial for assessing and managing water quality for various uses, including drinking water and aquatic ecosystems, as is the management of urban river basins.

The goal of this Topic is to offer a platform for the efficient publication of peer-reviewed open access research on the hydro-geology, water environment, water pollution, geosciences, hydrology. Topics to be covered in this Topic include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Water pollution;
• Water risk assessment;
• Groundwater quality;
• Geochemistry;
• Hydro-geology;
• Hydrogeochemical controls;
• Quaternary period;
• Water chemistry.

Dr. Weiying Feng
Dr. Hao Wang
Topic Editors