Distribution and Origin of Cr and Ni in the Shallow Groundwater along Kuihe River, China

In order to study the distribution and the origin of Cr and Ni in the shallow groundwater in Yongqiao area along Kuihe River, we sampled the shallow groundwater from the both sides of the Kuihe Rive in Yongqiao area of Suzhou Anhui province, China. The results showed that a large area of the shallow groundwater was polluted by heavy metals in this region. Along the river direction, Cr concentrations increased gradually, and Ni concentrations were high in the middle reach of Kuihe River. Cr and Ni concentrations of groundwater in the region near the river were higher than that in the region far from the river. The metal concentrations in somewhere were abnormal. Further analysis indicates that the distribution characteristic of Cr and Ni was mainly influenced by geological condition, surface water pollution and water pH value. Cr concentrations correlated positively with water pH values, but Ni concentrations correlated negatively with water pH values.