Abstract
The Zagros Mountain Ranges (ZMR) in southern and southwestern Iran consisting mainly of limestone are a large and very valuable catchment area, which recharges the aquifers in vast areas of Iran and of the Gulf States beyond the Persian Gulf. The collision resulting from the opening of the Red Sea and the convergence of Arabia towards Iran increases the rock porosity and thus the internal drainages. This helps to recharge the aquifers, but the ground water becomes more vulnerable to the growing landfill. Another source of ground water contamination is the Lower Paleozoic salt which crops out in the form of numerous salt plugs. The Makran Mountain Ranges (MMR) in southern and southeastern Iran are also a large catchment area and subjected to subduction. They have therefore different lithology and are less exposed to contamination. Because of the ongoing tectonic activities in different stages of plate convergence from subduction to incipient and advanced collision, the migration of ground water under the Persian Gulf to the Gulf States, the contamination of ground water by salt plugs and growing landfill, and the degree of rock exposure, a study of the relation of morphotectonics to ground water and its contamination in southern Iran seems to be required and promising.
Published Version
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