Hydrological and hydrogeological characterization of groundwater and river water in the North Hanoi industrial area, Vietnam

Degradation of groundwater quality by human activities is a widespread environmental problem in Vietnam. Groundwater there is a major source of water for domestic and industrial purposes. This paper reviews, compiles, and comprehensively analyzes spatiotemporal variations of hydrological and hydrogeological characteristics of shallow and deep groundwater aquifers in northern Hanoi industrial zones and in nearby Red River water. Groundwater level, electrical conductivity, and water temperature were measured in six monitoring wells, complemented by anion, cation, and stable isotope analyses of ground and surface water. The results show that the groundwater in both shallow and deep aquifers was fresh, but mainly calcium-bicarbonate type contaminants and human activities affect groundwater and surface water composition. With the goal of devising sustainable water use regulations, more research must be directed toward long-term monitoring of groundwater and surface water quality, as well as toward detailed investigation of the hydraulic characteristics of local aquifers in the study area.