Hydrochemical evaluation of a heavy contaminated shallow aquifer diluted by Delice River waters, Central Anatolia, Turkey

Abstract

The aim of this study is to hydrochemically evaluate the dilution with infiltrating waters from the Delice River into a shallow alluvium aquifer which is heavily contaminated. Whereas the hydrochemical content of the Delice River water has a conductivity of 1,610 μS/cm and total dissolved solids of 938 mg/l, the hydrochemical content of the shallow aquifer groundwater displays spatial variations in conductivity (between 2,340 and 9,360 μS/cm) and total dissolved solids (between 1,669 and 5,957 mg/l). The hydrochemical parameters (Na, SO4, Cl, boron, HCO3), which characterise the different components of the groundwater, allowed the determination of the origin of groundwater contamination. The shallow alluvium aquifer groundwater contamination has been partly diluted by the Delice River waters. The origin of the contamination is Cevirme Formation lithologic units, lying southwest of the study area, underlying the aquifer and consisting of claystone and gypsiferous marls.