Abstract
The purpose of this study was to analyze the quality and quantity of groundwater in Sharif Abad Basin, located in Central Iran. The analysis of data collected from 24 observation wells indicated that the mean water table has plummeted about 0.896 m/year during 19 years between 1993 and 2013 due to illegal groundwater pumping, which is the main cause of groundwater quality deterioration in this area. Seventeen samples were collected and analyzed to study physicochemical characteristics of groundwater such as pH, Hardness, Chloride (Cl), Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) values. The results were compared to drinking water quality standard published by World Health Organization (WHO) and it was concluded that none of the water samples was potable. The spatial distribution of anions and cations followed an increasing pattern eastwards towards the Salt Lake. The analysis of Hydrochemical facies of groundwater using Piper diagram indicated that the major type of groundwater in this basin is Na-Cl, which is mainly different from common type of fresh water in Iran (Ca-HCO3). Suitability of groundwater for irrigation purpose was assessed using Wilcox diagram and it was shown that all the water samples in 2013 belonged to C4S4 category, meaning they were not suitable for irrigation either. According to the ratio of chloride-bicarbonate, 100% of the samples were contaminated by saltwater intrusion. Also, the sodium-chloride ratio indicated that almost 60% of samples were contaminated by Halite solution. The presence of this solution proves the presence of salt domes in this area.
Highlights
One third of the Earth’s land surface is covered by arid and semi-arid areas
The analysis of data collected from 24 observation wells indicated that the mean water table has plummeted about 0.896 m/year during 19 years between 1993 and 2013 due to illegal groundwater pumping, which is the main cause of groundwater quality deterioration in this area
The results were compared to drinking water quality standard published by World Health Organization (WHO) and it was concluded that none of the water samples was potable
Summary
One third of the Earth’s land surface is covered by arid and semi-arid areas. Water shortage is the most critical issue in these regions. Sharif Abad basin, with an average height of 850 m from sea level, which includes 441 km of area, is located in Iran Central Desert between 33 ̊45' and 34 ̊23' latitude, and 51 ̊05' and 51 ̊54' longitude. This area is extended in a west-east direction so that it is restricted to Qom basin from south and Saveh from west and reaches to Salt Lake from the east. Many researchers have evaluated and analyzed the quantity and quality of the groundwater worldwide [3] [4] [5] [6]
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