Abstract
Groundwater is a vital source for drinking and agricultural purposes in semiarid region of Neyshabur area (Iran). The present study assessed the groundwater quality and mapped the spatial variation of water samples in terms of suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. A total 402 groundwater samples were collected from the field with global positioning system (GPS) from 2010 to 2013 and analyzed for pH, calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+), potassium, bicarbonate, sulfate, chloride, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids, and total hardness (TH). A GIS-based ordinary kriging method with best fit semivariogram models was used for preparation of thematic maps of groundwater quality parameters. The results were evaluated and compared with WHO (2011) recommended water quality standard. Results showed that 68.40% of SAR, 25% of Mg2+, 32.62% of Na+, and 1.74% of TH of the total groundwater samples are suitable for the irrigation purpose. Consequently, 55.57% of EC, 89.19% of TDS, 0.75% of pH, and 6.25% of K+ of the total groundwater samples are suitable for the drinking purpose as per the WHO standard. The groundwater quality in the study area is very hard and slightly alkaline in nature. The spatial distribution map of groundwater quality showed 80% of the area suitable for drinking purpose; whereas, 90% of the area demarcated for irrigation purpose.
Highlights
Most countries in the world suffer from severe water shortages, especially arid and semiarid areas (El Omran et al 2014)
Recognizing the groundwater quality is significant as it is the key feature defining its appropriateness for drinking, agricultural and industrial purposes (Mokarram 2016)
The results indicated that the physicochemical parameters for groundwater in Neyshabur plain (Iran) area were moderately correlated with each other
Summary
Most countries in the world suffer from severe water shortages, especially arid and semiarid areas (El Omran et al 2014). Applied Water Science (2018) 8:168 that can be used to assess and represent the distribution of concentration over space and time based on the relationship between sample points, and estimates the uncertainty of that prediction (Yeh et al 2009; Piccini et al 2012). Shamsudduha (2007) utilized different interpolation techniques in assessing the most suitable prediction method for the estimation of arsenic concentrations in a shallow aquifer in Bangladesh. Omran (2012) proposed a simple method to assess the groundwater quality and to map its spatial variation in terms of suitability for irrigation in the Darb El-Arbaein area, Southwestern Desert, Egypt. Adhikary et al (2012) and El Omran et al (2014) proposed a model to assess and map irrigation water well suitability using geospatial analysis. It is perceived that researchers have employed distinctive interpolation technique for their definite problem
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
