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2025 Vol.58, Issue 4 Preview Page

Short communication

Chemical characteristics of agricultural groundwater with different land use type, period, and season in Chungbuk Province from 2021 to 2024
Juhee Yu1*
,
Mejee Jin1
,
Minja Kim2
,
Juhyoung Kim2
1Researcher, Chungcheongbuk-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services, Cheongju 28130, Korea
2Senior Researcher, Chungcheongbuk-do Agricultural Research & Extension Services, Cheongju 28130, Korea
*Corresponding Author
30 November 2025. pp. 607-613
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Abstract

This study investigated the seasonal and annual variations in the quality of agricultural groundwater in Chungbuk Province, Korea, from 2021 to 2024. Groundwater samples were collected from paddy fields, upland fields, and greenhouse sites each April and July, and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), total nitrogen (T-N), total phosphorus (T-P), chloride (Cl-), calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na). The results showed that all major parameters, including pH, NO3--N, and Cl-, met the irrigation water quality standards throughout the study period, However, concentrations of NO3--N, K and Mg tended to increase in greenhouses and during the summer season. A gradual rise in EC and major cations was observed over the years. These findings suggest that intensive fertilizer application during the cropping season and increased rainfall infiltration contribute to temporary increases in dissolved ion concentrations in groundwater. Overall, agricultural groundwater in Chungbuk province is suitable for irrigation, but continued monitoring and management are recommended to prevent potential deterioration due to non-point source pollution and intensive agricultural practices.

Chemical properties (pH, EC, and Cl⁻) of agricultural groundwater in Chungbuk Province from 2021 to 2024.
Year pH EC (dS m-1) Cl- (mg L-1)
2021 (n=40) Min 6.7 0.17 5.05
Max 8.4 0.55 78.79
Mean 7.3 0.30 25.17
SE1 0.1 0.02 2.32
2022 (n=40) Min 6.6 0.17 5.11
Max 8.2 0.74 88.40
Mean 7.2 0.37 23.26
SE 0.1 0.02 2.86
2023 (n=40) Min 6.6 0.19 6.45
Max 8.5 0.83 126.39
Mean 7.6 0.40 35.62
SE 0.1 0.02 4.70
2024 (n=40) Min 6.5 0.17 7.40
Max 8.2 0.71 43.59
Mean 7.3 0.36 21.76
SE 0.1 0.02 1.55

1SE, standard error.

Keywords
Groundwater monitoring
Seasonal variation
Water quality
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국토양비료학회
  • Journal Title :Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국토양비료학회 학회지
  • Volume : 58
  • No :4
  • Pages :607-613
  • Received Date : 2025-08-01
  • Revised Date : 2025-08-25
  • Accepted Date : 2025-09-16
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.7745/KJSSF.2025.58.4.607
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