Irrigation Quality Research Articles

Integrated approach for the investigation of groundwater quality using hydrochemical and geostatistical analyses in Wadi Fatimah, western Saudi Arabia

The Wadi Fatimah area suffers from a lack of freshwater resources, so this study aimed to analyze the groundwater in this region and evaluate its quality for irrigation and drinking purposes. Eleven water quality parameters, including pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), Ca2+, HCO−3, NO−3, F−, Cl−, K+, Mg2+, SO2−4, and Na+, were utilized to evaluate the quality of the water and produce a water quality index (WQI). These parameters were measured at 100 different chosen locations. The spatial distribution map revealed that all parameters are high in the southern part except K+. Using the correlation matrix, a high positive correlation is obtained among TDS, Cl−, Mg2+, and Ca2+ in addition to a high correlation among TDS with Cl− and Na+. From PCA analysis, PCA1, PCA2, and PCA3 represent about 52%, 12%, and 10% of all components along the study area, respectively. PCA1 has low variance than PCA2 and PCA3. The majority of the Southern region’s sites went from having extremely poor to poor water classifications and from poor to unsuitable water. However, the center part possesses exceptionally high-quality groundwater. According to the results from the current study’s water quality index, the presence of nitrate and fluoride in the groundwater samples was primarily responsible for their high WQI values. The statistics showed that a higher percentage of the population had poor drinking water due to direct pollutant release, agricultural effects, and excessive groundwater resource use. The study offers a groundwater quality modeling technique that is both affordable and replicable in other areas.

Effects of Seawater Intrusion on the Groundwater Quality of Multi-Layered Aquifers in Eastern Saudi Arabia

The degradation of groundwater (GW) quality due to seawater intrusion (SWI) is a major water security issue in water-scarce regions. This study aims to delineate the impact of SWI on the GW quality of a multilayered aquifer system in the eastern coastal region of Saudi Arabia. The physical and chemical properties of the GW were determined via field investigations and laboratory analyses. Irrigation indices (electrical conductivity (EC), potential salinity (PS), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Na%, Kelly's ratio (KR), magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), and permeability index (PI)) and a SWI index (fsea) were obtained to assess the suitability of GW for irrigation. K-mean clustering, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to determine the relationship between irrigation hazard indices and the degree of SWI. The tested GW samples were grouped into four clusters (C1, C2, C3, and C4), with average SWI degrees of 15%, 8%, 5%, and 2%, respectively. The results showed that the tested GW was unsuitable for irrigation due to salinity hazards. However, a noticeable increase in sodium and magnesium hazards was also observed. Moreover, increasing the degree of SWI (fsea) was associated with increasing salinity, sodium, and magnesium, with higher values observed in the GW samples in cluster C1, followed by clusters C2, C3, and C4. The correlation analysis and PCA results illustrated that the irrigation indices, including EC, PS, SAR, and MAR, were grouped with the SWI index (fsea), indicating the possibility of using them as primary irrigation indices to reflect the impact of SWI on GW quality in coastal regions. The results of this study will help guide decision-makers toward proper management practices for SWI mitigation and enhancing GW quality for irrigation.

A multi-functional nature-based solution (NBS) for greywater treatment and reuse at the same plot

Water stress is destined to worsen due to rapid urbanization, high population growth as well as huge water demand and climate change in the upcoming days. To make the cities more water resilient, greywater treatment and reuse can be a sustainable solution to prevent discharge of greywater into the environment and reduce the import of freshwater into the cities. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of implementing a multi-functional nature-based solution (NBS) for decentralized greywater treatment and reuse at the same plot. Therefore, an aerated vertical-flow constructed wetland (AVFCW) with a design capacity of 8 PE (population equivalent) was combined with an innovative cover layer on top, so that the wetland surface can be used wisely (saving space) for irrigation with the treated effluent as well as protect the constructed wetland from high water loss due to evapotranspiration (EVT). In the first investigation phase, the results showed that applying such a cover layer on the wetland surface did not have any influence on the treatment performance of the AVFCW operating at the BDZ-Research and Demonstration Centre for Decentralized Wastewater Treatment in Leipzig, Germany. The results from the second investigation phase showed a highly efficient treatment performance of the AVFCW system (BOD5 > 90%, COD>93%, TSS > 93%, TN > 60% and log-removal for E.coli of 0.81 ± 0.45) when feeding with synthetic greywater at the site. In the effluent from the AVFCW, the mean concentrations of BOD5, TSS and E.coli were found to be as 9 ± 5 mg/L, 4 ± 2 mg/L and 7.0 ± 5.4 MPN/100 mL, respectively, and the achieved results were in compliance with the EU recommended limits for the most restrictive Class A standard treated water quality (BOD5 < 10 mg/L; TSS < 10 mg/L; E.coli < 10 MPN/100 mL) for agricultural irrigation. Soil characteristics data at the depth of 10, 15 and 20 cm within the cover layer showed no remarkable effect of irrigation with treated effluent on the soil properties. Overall, this study demonstrated that the integrated and multi-functional NBS can be implemented as a more practical and attractive technology for greywater treatment and reuse (via sub-surface irrigation) at the same plot and can improve the aesthetic in urban settlements (e.g. backyard garden of the urban households, public park, roadside and touristic areas) as well as in warm climatic conditions of arid/semi-arid regions worldwide.

Intelligent control System wide-reach Sprinklers circular action

The relevance of the introduction of intelligent control systems for agricultural machinery in the modern world is increasing every year due to the development of more and more global projects in the field of automation and robotics. The purpose of the research was to develop algorithmic software for an intelligent control system for wide-reach sprinkler machines for autonomous operation in the implementation of environmentally safe, high-quality irrigation. The article considers the possibility of matching the irrigation norm issued by the machine to the level of moisture reserves of the field for circular-acting machines, reducing the environmental load on the soil and preserving fertility. The use of an intelligent control system with the proposed algorithm of operation will improve the quality and environmental safety of irrigation, as well as ensure resource savings, in particular irrigation water savings.

Groundwater Pollution Impact on Food Security

Global food security challenges have been burdened by a rapidly expanding population and its attendant food demands. Safer and higher-quality agriculture is one of the most essential solutions for addressing the growing problem. In agriculture that is safer, the quality of irrigation from a safer water source will boost food security. Groundwater is one of the most widely utilized water sources for agriculture. Safeguarding groundwater against contamination and preserving water resources is a rising global concern. Herein, previous literature studies were analyzed to determine the groundwater potential for food production of the various continents around the globe, as well as the various types of groundwater contamination, the sources of groundwater contamination, and the best methods for combating groundwater contamination in order to guarantee safe irrigation for agriculture and thus achieve food security. Consequently, the natural and anthropogenic activities that degrade the quality of the groundwater and transform it into contaminated water from harmful organisms, residues of organic and inorganic soluble and non-soluble salts of the groundwater from chemical, leachate from landfills, sewage systems, and biological contamination, are the major issues in safer agriculture, causing a number of problems in the growth of agricultural crops and leading to a negative impact on food production as well as on the health of the population. Proper identification of different sources of contamination and proper methods to prevent contamination from reaching groundwater, as well as governmental and institutional frameworks to combat contamination and treatment methods to treat contaminated groundwater, will contribute to the future achievement of food security by ensuring a safer irrigation method and agriculture.

Hydrochemical Characterization and Quality Assessment of Groundwater in Hatiya Island, Southeastern Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Groundwater is a vital source of fresh water for drinking and agricultural purposes in the region of Hatiya Island, Bangladesh, yet it is subject to contamination by natural and anthropogenic activities. Over time, the contamination has resulted in a variety of negative effects on human health. This research aims to examine groundwater hydrogeochemical characterization and suitability for irrigation and drinking purposes on different indices utilizing a combined geochemical method, multivariate statistical approaches, and geospatial analysis. Results of hydrogeochemical analyses of 15 groundwater samples from the intermediate aquifer (60–90 m depth) represent the order of cations, anions, and metal concentrations as Na+ &gt; Mg2+ &gt; Ca2+ &gt; K+, Cl− &gt; SO42− &gt; HCO3− &gt; NO3−, and Fe &gt; I &gt; Br &gt; Mn &gt; As, respectively. Saltwater intrusion has been determined to be the most important hydrogeochemical process influencing the chemistry of groundwater. Principal component analysis, Pearson’s correlation matrix, and hierarchical cluster analysis indicate that groundwater quality is highly governed by geogenic influences. This information has been evaluated using a drinking water quality index map, which found that six (40%) of the groundwater samples are suitable for human consumption, whereas the other nine (60%) are unfit for drinking. The analysis of irrigation quality parameters revealed that eight (54%) of the groundwater samples are in excellent or good condition for agricultural uses; however, the other seven (46%) samples are unsuitable.

Prevention of degradation processes of soils irrigated with mineralized water through plastering

The long-term irrigation of extensive areas in the steppe zone of Ukraine using low-quality and mineralized water has caused degradation processes associated with soil salinization. To mitigate or alleviate these processes, researchers investigated the potential of chemical reclamation through the application of phosphogypsum. The study took place in the northern Steppe of Ukraine near the village of Oleksandrivka, Dnipro district, Dnipropetrovsk region. Over many years, field experiments were conducted, introducing phosphogypsum as a chemical meliorant. The experimental design included the application of phosphogypsum at rates of 1.4, 3.0, and 6.0 t/ha during different periods of the year. Standardized research methods were used for sampling, laboratory analysis, and processing of the results. The research identified a high salt content (0.35-0.48%) in the arable soil layer, signs of salinization (exchangeable sodium content of 3.64%), and unsatisfactory physical condition of the soil in the research areas. The application of phosphogypsum led to an increase in sulfate anions, as observed in the soil's sulfate chemistry, while the control areas exhibited a soda-sulfate type of salinity. The pH level of the water extract remained within neutral values throughout the years of the study. Positive changes were observed regarding the degree of soil salinity. Specifically, the application of phosphogypsum at rates of 3 and 6 t/ha in irrigated areas resulted in a change from moderate to slightly saline salinity levels. The research also demonstrated a positive effect on the sodium-adsorption ratio, particularly when phosphogypsum was applied during irrigation in the third year. The sodium-adsorption ratio decreased by 69% compared to the control options, indicating a better ameliorative effect of phosphogypsum during irrigation. Under the conditions of using water of class II quality for irrigation, the optimal application of phosphogypsum was found to be at doses of 3 t/ha for spring cultivation and 6 t/ha for the main cultivation in autumn. These application rates effectively reduced the degree of soil salinity and improved the ecological and meliorational conditions of the irrigated area

An integrated approach for aquifer characterization and evaluation in a complex geologic terrain (Cross River State, Nigeria): A contribution to support sustainable development and management of groundwater

Increasing agriculture, industrial and urban growth have resulted in the rapid and an haphazard development of groundwater resources through indiscriminate abstraction in the Cross River State (CRS), Nigeria. This has resulted in stress on groundwater, especially in areas with complicated geologic formations where reliable data are lacking. This paper focuses on understanding the hydrogeological characteristics of the different aquifers using an integrated approach. The methods applied are hydrogeological surveys together with interpretation of geological, geoelectrical and hydrochemical data. The results reveal six hydrogeological zones (HZs): HZs 1 (igneous and metamorphic rocks), 2 (sandstone and siltstone), 3 (massive, baked and fractured shale), 4 (sand, gravel, silt and clay), 5 (carbonate rocks) and 6 (basic intrusive rocks). Estimates of groundwater reserves indicate that the HZ 1 has the largest reservoir of stored fresh groundwater, estimated at 332,637.00 × 106 m3, while the highest yield is estimated to be 1085.53 m3/d from HZ 4. Groundwater chemistry showed that Na+ and Ca2+ dominated the cations, while Cl− and HCO3− dominated the anions. In general, major chemistry of the water is controlled by atmospheric input, weathering of silicate, carbonate minerals and ion exchange. In terms of drinking and irrigation quality, the groundwater showed low values of total dissolved solids, pH, hardness, dissolved oxygen and NO3− at few locations, while more than 50% of the samples have excellent quality for irrigation use. However, higher values were recorded in HZ 2, due to occurrence of brackish water.

Evaluation and Prediction of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation Using an Integrated Water Quality Indices, Machine Learning Models and GIS Approaches: A Representative Case Study

Agriculture has significantly aided in meeting the food needs of growing population. In addition, it has boosted economic development in irrigated regions. In this study, an assessment of the groundwater (GW) quality for agricultural land was carried out in El Kharga Oasis, Western Desert of Egypt. Several irrigation water quality indices (IWQIs) and geographic information systems (GIS) were used for the modeling development. Two machine learning (ML) models (i.e., adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and support vector machine (SVM)) were developed for the prediction of eight IWQIs, including the irrigation water quality index (IWQI), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), potential salinity (PS), residual sodium carbonate index (RSC), and Kelley index (KI). The physicochemical parameters included T°, pH, EC, TDS, K+, Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl−, SO42−, HCO3−, CO32−, and NO3−, and they were measured in 140 GW wells. The hydrochemical facies of the GW resources were of Ca-Mg-SO4, mixed Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4, Na-Cl, Ca-Mg-HCO3, and mixed Na-Ca-HCO3 types, which revealed silicate weathering, dissolution of gypsum/calcite/dolomite/ halite, rock–water interactions, and reverse ion exchange processes. The IWQI, SAR, KI, and PS showed that the majority of the GW samples were categorized for irrigation purposes into no restriction (67.85%), excellent (100%), good (57.85%), and excellent to good (65.71%), respectively. Moreover, the majority of the selected samples were categorized as excellent to good and safe for irrigation according to the SSP and RSC. The performance of the simulation models was evaluated based on several prediction skills criteria, which revealed that the ANFIS model and SVM model were capable of simulating the IWQIs with reasonable accuracy for both training “determination coefficient (R2)” (R2 = 0.99 and 0.97) and testing (R2 = 0.97 and 0.76). The presented models’ promising accuracy illustrates their potential for use in IWQI prediction. The findings indicate the potential for ML methods of geographically dispersed hydrogeochemical data, such as ANFIS and SVM, to be used for assessing the GW quality for irrigation. The proposed methodological approach offers a useful tool for identifying the crucial hydrogeochemical components for GW evolution assessment and mitigation measures related to GW management in arid and semi-arid environments.

Impact of Aquifer Sediments - Minerals - Groundwater Interaction on Hydrochemistry, Aligarh District, Central Ganga Plain, India

Abstract The sedimentological/mineralogical characteristics of the aquifer material have been determined and their impact on groundwater chemistry is evaluated in the Aligarh district. It is found that 35 % of the aquifer is characterized by sand fraction containing (17-8) % of plagioclase and rock fragment (4-5%). Dominant aquifer material (silt and clay) fraction is dominated by plagioclase, K-feldspar, calcite, chlorite, kaolinite/mica, and halite. Spatial variation in relative positions and thickness of aquifer of silt, clay, and sandy layers resulting to particular hydro-chemical types. Major ions in groundwater shows a high degree of spatial variation along with multisource for the ions. Water quality index suggests that 22% of the water samples fall under the unsuitable category in the area characterized by aquifer material dominant with clay layers. Groundwater types in the area are dominated by Na+–Cl– and Ca2+ – HCO3–, Ca+2 Mg+ – HCO3– Ca+2 Mg+2 – Cl– (mixed type). Silicate weathering, Carbonates, salt dissolution, and base ion exchange are the major mechanisms that control the major ionic composition of the groundwater. It is saturated with calcite, dolomite, chalcedony, and Mg-silicate (Sepiolite). The unstable Speiolite under climate conditions prevails in the region rapidly change to smectite clay, which constitutes a major clay mineral of Indo-Gangetic alluvium. ANN (Artificial Neural Networking) analysis indicated that irrigation quality parameters Permeability Index (PI) and Na% are showing strong relation with selected parameters EC, and Na+ concentration. SAR values mostly depend on Na+, Mg+2 conc. and EC, while residual sodium carbonate (RSC) of groundwater can be predicted using Mg2+, HCO3–, and Ca2+ concentration in groundwater.

Suitability Assessment of Surface Water Quality for Irrigation: A Case Study of Modjo River, Ethiopia.

Water quality change due to industrial pollution is one of the major environmental concerns in developing countries. The majority of industries in Ethiopia release their wastewaters into the nearby water bodies with limited or without any forms of treatment. The main objective of this study was to assess the suitability of Modjo River for irrigation use based on the assessment of salinity, reduced water infiltration rate, specific ion toxicity, and miscellaneous chemicals as water quality-related problems in irrigated agriculture. Water samples were collected from six sampling stations along the river, and the relevant physicochemical parameters were determined in the laboratory by the standard procedures. Besides, the sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and irrigation water quality index (IWQI) were determined to evaluate the suitability of the river water for irrigation. Cluster and principal component analyses of the data set were carried out. The results of this study showed that the river water in the vicinity of industries was saline and thus affects sensitive crops. The SAR value varied from 57.6 to 122.3. The concentration of chromium in the lower reaches of the river was also above the standard value of 0.1 mg/L. Among the miscellaneous chemicals, concentration of potassium, carbonate, and bicarbonate at all the sampling stations were above the standard values set by FAO for irrigation use. Based on the computed IWQI of 30.6, Modjo River is in the medium class of suitability for irrigation. Effluents from industrial establishments, namely, tannery, abattoir houses, and poultry farms and domestic waste dumping, were identified as the main sources of water pollution in the study area. Based on the findings of the study, Modjo River water is not suitable for irrigation use without some forms of physical and chemical treatment.

Assessment on urban lakes along the coastal region of Miri, NW Borneo: implication for hydrochemistry, water quality, and pollution risk.

The main purpose of this study is to assess the urban lake water quality along the coastal region of Miri City, Sarawak, East Malaysia. This study concentrates on the hydrochemical characteristics and the mechanisms controlling the suitability of the lakes for domestic, irrigation, and industrial purposes. A total of 15 lake water samples were collected and analysed for physical parameters, major ions, nutrients, BOD, COD, and heavy metals. The results show that Lakes 6, 7, and 8 commonly exceeded the National Drinking Water Quality Standards (NDWQS) limits, particularly in physical parameters and major ions. The cation dominance was Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ > Ca2+, while the anion dominance was Cl- > HCO3- > SO42-. It is inferred that lake 8 was affected by the seawater intrusion through the inlet flow, resulting in an excess concentration of ions present in that lake. The concentrations of heavy metals in these lakes were considerably low, indicating that most of them were from the geogenic source. Most of the lakes were NaCl water type and the main controlling mechanism were weathering and ionic exchange processes, with anthropogenic impacts. Based on the calculated Water Quality Index (WQI) according to the National Water Quality Standards (NWQS), all lakes were suitable for irrigation use (class IV), while most of these lakes fell under the "polluted" index. Apart from that, based on the National Lake Water Quality Standards (NLWQS), all lakes were classified under category D, indicating that the lakes must be kept in good condition. According to the irrigation quality indices, lakes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 were the most suitable for irrigation purposes. As for metal pollution indices (HPI and HEI), lakes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 15 were considered safe with low pollution status. From the multivariate statistical analysis, it is deduced that both anthropogenic and geogenic impacts mostly influenced the quality of these lake waters. The outcome of this study will help the policymakers under the national water department in sustainable management of water resources in this region.

Assessment of Physicochemical and Bacteriological Parameters in the Angads Aquifer (Northeast Morocco): Application of Principal Component Analysis and Piper and Schoeller–Berkaloff Diagrams

Groundwater is a vital resource and a development lever for many countries, including Morocco. To develop these resources, mineralogical and hydrogeochemical studies as well as a bacteriological study were carried out on the groundwater of the Angads aquifer, which is located in the northeast of Morocco to highlight the processes at the origin of mineralization, their quality for human consumption and irrigation, as well as the hydrogeochemical facies of these waters. To do this, a multivariate statistical analysis using principal component analysis, varimax rotation of factors, and hierarchical ascending classification were conducted for all the groundwater samples of the Angads aquifer in Oujda. The main results revealed that these waters present faecal contamination by faecal and total coliforms and faecal streptococci. And another one by nitrates due to the high values of NO3−, as well as the mineralization of these waters is controlled by the nature of the geological formations crossed and the residence time in the aquifer, which is confirmed by the presence of ions such as Cond, HCO3−, Ca2+, Mg2+, and SO42−. Concerning the quality of the groundwater, according to Moroccan standards and the World Health Organization, the results show that they are generally unsuitable for human consumption and irrigation. Two diagrams were used to study the facies: Piper and Schoeller–Berkaloff. The results show that these waters are highly mineralized, with the chloride and sulphate calcic and magnesian facies dominating with 89.47%. To protect this vital resource, sustainable management actions must be implemented, in particular, to reduce the use of pesticides, control the use of fertilizers, and clean up and purify the groundwater.

Spatio-Temporal Water Quality Assessment and Pollution Source Apportionment of Lake Chamo using Water Quality Index and Multivariate Statistical Techniques

Despite the current management effort to reduce pollution of water bodies, lakes are far more vulnerable to pollution than the ocean and rivers. Point and non-point pollution are ending on the lake bodies and concerned bodies should trigger interventions. This study aims to assess the effect of pollution on the water quality of Chamo lake using the weighted arithmetic water quality index (WQI) and multivariate statistical methods. Fifteen monitoring points are used to collect water samples from the lake for dry and rainy periods. Twenty-three physical-chemical parameters were analyzed in the water quality laboratory of Arba Minch University, out of which five parameters were analyzed using a multi-meter at the field. The physicochemical water quality analysis result of Lake Chamo revealed that the constituent’s concentration did not show significant variation spatially. The factor analysis result in the Lake Chamo revealed that it had extracted seven principal components that can be explained with a total variance of 86.3%. More than 65% of the monitoring stations in Lake Chamo have an acceptable water quality for irrigation. Moreover, some of the monitoring stations, closer to high human activities, are relatively more polluted than others. Besides, some sensitive parameters such as turbidity have clearly shown that the WQI value can be changed with the parameters changing. Based on clustering analysis, most (47%) of the monitoring are characterized by the recipients of uncontrolled public and state farm and agricultural wastes. The study recommends integrated watershed management and source-based pollution control, which could significantly decrease the pollution level in Lake Chamo after identifying the pollution hotspot areas. Continuous Lake water quality monitoring is necessary for deciding lake pollution.

Differential responses of hydrochemical factors and LULC changes on the spatial and temporal hydrogeochemistry of the eco-sensitive Baraila wetland, Bihar, India.

Freshwater scarcity, deterioration and associated water management remain to be one of the most challenging aspects of high-population density economies especially in subtropical/tropical regions. The present research deals with hydrogeochemical analysis of the eco-sensitive Baraila wetland and possible sources of anthropogenic pollution. The hydrochemical characterization was performed in GIS environment, considering meteorologically induced parameters and spatial variability. Temporal variations were assessed through different seasons, namely pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon with the help of multivariate statistics. The changes in water depth across the seasons showed significant hydrochemical variations in the vertical profile of the wetland apart from thermal demarcation. Seasonal variations in the hydrogeochemistry were induced by multiple physicochemical parameters, geochemical processes, geomorphology of the surrounding area and land use and land cover (LULC) changes. The pre-post flooding changes revealed that aquatic vegetation was increased by 15.36% whereas a major decrease in water bodies (- 73.2%) occurred. Dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, temperature and carbonates are fundamental towards establishing wetland's water chemistry. The water type is primarily of Ca-HCO3 type, mostly derived from rock-water interactions and cation exchange processes. Irrigational quality of water was assessed through multiple indices (sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), %Na, residual sodium carbonate (RSC), magnesium hazard (MH) and total hardness (TH)) and plots. The heavy aquatic vegetation abundance and eutrophication because of agricultural run-off is currently the major issue with the Baraila wetland and may be playing a simultaneous role in regulating the water chemistry to a large extent apart from other geochemical processes. The hydrogeochemical interactions between sediment and overlying water have created distinct effects on biota and land use/land cover changes. Their role in the landscape is prominent in this respect and may be utilized for environmental management, eco-tourism and employment boost. Serious lack of hydrogeochemical studies in this important floodplain wetland and its rapid deterioration deems it necessary to focus on the comprehensive research and wetland management options for its conservation and sustainable usage in future.

Suitability of the Lower Ganga basin groundwater for irrigation, using hydrogeochemical parameters and land-use dynamics.

The northern Ganga basin is one of the most densely populated basins in the world. Most agricultural and industrial contaminants drained in the river length are likely to be accumulated in the lower part of the Ganga basin. In this study, we have used ten parameters obtained from 495 sampling locations, besides using long-term climate data (GLDAS_NOAH025_M) to understand the irrigation suitability using the TOPSIS model. Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) model using TOPSIS has been used to make the best choices from the available finite number of alternatives based on their ranking. The entropy weights for the irrigation suitability parameters such as electrical conductivity (Ec), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), magnesium hardness (MH), sodium percent (Na%), total hardness (TH), Kelly's ratio (KR), permeability index (PI), chloride concentration (Cl-), groundwater level fluctuation (GWLF), and the Lang factor (Df) are found to be 0.08, 0.14, 0.02, 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.01, 0.32, 0.29, and 0.01, respectively. We find that SAR, Cl-, and GWLF control the water quality for irrigation in the Lower Ganga basin since these parameters have relatively higher entropy weights (more than 0.10). The results obtained from the computed performance index or the closeness coefficient show that the area percent having very good and good groundwater quality for irrigation in the Lower Ganga basin is 77.03% and 22.97% respectively. The land-use change dynamics for the between 2000 and 2015 estimated using the transition matrix shows a positive percentage change for settlement (133.50%), wetland (35.04%), and bare area (0.98%); however, several other classes such as the agriculture (- 0.85%), forest (- 0.49%), grassland (- 14.38%), sparse vegetation (- 11.39%), and water (- 4.12%) show a decreasing trend. The highest amount of percentage change was observed in settlement areas which were contributed by other land-use classes such as agriculture (694.43 km2), water (41.61 km2), forest (16.77 km2), and grassland (1.86 km2). The results may be useful to the concerned organization for the proper planning and management of water resource for sustainable development.

Evaluation of Groundwater Quality for Irrigation in Deep Aquifers Using Multiple Graphical and Indexing Approaches Supported with Machine Learning Models and GIS Techniques, Souf Valley, Algeria

Irrigation has made a significant contribution to supporting the population’s expanding food demands, as well as promoting economic growth in irrigated regions. The current investigation was carried out in order to estimate the quality of the groundwater for agricultural viability in the Algerian Desert using various water quality indices and geographic information systems (GIS). In addition, support vector machine regression (SVMR) was applied to forecast eight irrigation water quality indices (IWQIs), such as the irrigation water quality index (IWQI), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (Na%), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), potential salinity (PS), Kelly index (KI), permeability index (PI), potential salinity (PS), permeability index (PI), and residual sodium carbonate (RSC). Several physicochemical variables, such as temperature (T°), hydrogen ion concentration (pH), total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), K+, Na2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl−, SO42−, HCO3−, CO32−, and NO3−, were measured from 45 deep groundwater wells. The hydrochemical facies of the groundwater resources were Ca–Mg–Cl/SO4 and Na–Cl−, which revealed evaporation, reverse ion exchange, and rock–water interaction processes. The IWQI, Na%, SAR, SSP, KI, PS, PI, and RSC showed mean values of 50.78, 43.07, 4.85, 41.78, 0.74, 29.60, 45.65, and −20.44, respectively. For instance, the IWQI for the obtained results indicated that the groundwater samples were categorized into high restriction to moderate restriction for irrigation purposes, which can only be used for plants that are highly salt tolerant. The SVMR model produced robust estimates for eight IWQIs in calibration (Cal.), with R2 values varying between 0.90 and 0.97. Furthermore, in validation (Val.), R2 values between 0.88 and 0.95 were achieved using the SVMR model, which produced reliable estimates for eight IWQIs. These findings support the feasibility of using IWQIs and SVMR models for the evaluation and management of the groundwater of complex terminal aquifers for irrigation. Finally, the combination of IWQIs, SVMR, and GIS was effective and an applicable technique for interpreting and forecasting the irrigation water quality used in both arid and semi-arid regions.

Chemometric appraisal of groundwater and surface water quality for domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes in the coal mining province of Mahan River catchment area

Chemometric appraisal of groundwater and surface water quality for domestic, irrigation and industrial purposes in the coal mining province of Mahan River catchment area

Development of a Water Quality Management Model for Dry Rivers in Arid Regions: Application on Wadi Rumah, Saudi Arabia

In dry rivers, urban wastewater discharge forms a pond in the dry period, and surface runoff shapes a longer pond in the wet period. A water quality management model developed for dry rivers is applied on Wadi Rumah in Saudi Arabia. The sub-basin was delineated from 30-m × 30-m spatial resolution digital elevation model. Hydrologic loss, runoff rates, and time of concentration were determined using the soil conservation service curve number, soil conservation service unit hydrograph methods, and Kirpich formula. Hydrologic Engineering Center Hydrologic Modeling System estimated the wet weather flows for 10 low-to-medium rainfall events. A steady-state hydrodynamic model including river flows, effluent discharge, and evaporation and infiltration losses estimated the hydraulic retention time for the explicit case of ponding conditions of dry rivers. Mass balance and first-order kinetics modeled the physical (total dissolved solid and total suspended solid), chemical (biochemical oxygen demand, dissolved oxygen, chemical oxygen demand, NH3, PO4, and Cl2), and microbiological (total coliform and fecal coliform) parameters. The hydrodynamic model and biokinetic rate coefficients were calibrated with satellite images, reported literature, and field measurements. A water quality index compared the aggregated water quality against the standards for 4 intended uses. The study yields “very good” water quality for restricted and unrestricted irrigation for the dry period, “fair” for livestock drinking, and “marginal” for fishery and recreation for the dry period, while water quality remained “marginal” for all the uses in the wet period. Water quality management implies regular water quality monitoring, continuous improvement of treatment facilities, and flood plain management initiatives for the long-term sustainability of dry rivers in arid regions.

Effect of Rural Sewage Irrigation Regime on Water-Nitrogen Utilization and Crop Growth of Paddy Rice in Southern China

Reclaimed water irrigation has become an effective mean to alleviate the contradiction between water availability and its consumption worldwide. In this study, three types of irrigation water sources (rural sewage’s primary treated water R1 and secondary treated water R2, and river water R3) meeting the requirements of water quality for farmland irrigation were selected, and three types of irrigation water levels (low water level W1 of 0–80 mm, medium water level W2 of 0–100 mm, and high water level W3 of 0–150 mm) were adopted to carry out research on the influence mechanismS of different irrigation water sources and water levels on water and nitrogen use and crop growth in paddy field. The water quantity indicators (irrigation times and irrigation volume), soil ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) and nitrate nitrogen (NO3−-N), rice yield indicators (thousand-grain weight, the number of grains per spike, and the number of effective spikes), and quality indicators (the amount of protein, amylose, vitamin C, nitrate and nitrite content) of rice were measured. The results showed that, the average irrigation volume under W3 was 2.4 and 1.9 times of that under W1 and W2, respectively. Compared with R3, the peak consumption of rice was lagged behind under R1 and R2, and the nitrogen form in 0–40 cm soil layers under rural sewage irrigation was mainly NH4+-N. The changes of NO3−-N and NH4+-N in the 0–40 cm soil layer showed the trend of declining and then increasing. The water level control only had a significant effect on the change of NO3−-N in the 60–80 cm soil layer. Both irrigation water use efficiency and crop water use efficiency were gradually reduced with the increase of field water level control. The nitrogen utilization efficiency under rural sewage irrigation was significantly higher than that under R3. Compared with the R3, rural sewage irrigation could significantly increase the yield of rice, and as the field water level rose, the effect of yield promotion was more obvious. It was noteworthy that the grain of rice under R1 monitored the low nitrate and nitrite content, but no nitrate and nitrite was discovered under R2 and R3. Therefore, reasonable rural sewage irrigation (R2) and medium water level (W2) were beneficial to improve nitrogen utilization efficiency, crop yield and crop quality promotion.