Investigation of the Quality and Quantity of Groundwater Resources and their Relationship with the Geological Formations (Case Study: Yazd-Ardakan Basin)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M.Sc. Graduate of Watershed Management, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran

2 Assist. Prof. of Water Science and Engineering, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran

3 Assist. Prof. of Alid Land and Desert Manegment, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran3

4 Regional Water Company of yazd, Yazd, Iran4

Abstract

This research was an attempt to investigate the quality and quantity of groundwater resources in Yazd-Ardakan plain as the biggest watershed in Yazd Province and its relationships with the geological formations. For this purpose, qualitative data of the wells in the plain for the decades of 80 and 90 (according to the Iranian calender for the pre- and post-water transfer from Zayandehroud River to Yazd) were studied. Furthermore, the geological formations map of the region was prepared based on the geological maps and Google-Earth images. Then, the type and facies of water for each well was determined using Aq.QA 1.1 software. The suitability of water usage for agriculture and drinking purposes was also evaluated. Results showed that the chloride type of the groundwater was dominant in the southern and central parts of the watershed and also in 90s rather than 80s. Results of the qualitative zoning showed that the amount of EC was increased as 3 dSm-1 from 80s to 90s. Quantitative zoning of the groundwater showed that the elevation of the water surface decreased toward northern part of the watershed. The water depth in the wells was also decreased on the average of 10 m from 80s to 90s. Results also showed that the wells were dug often on the alluvium formations. Correlation analysis between water quality and frequency percentages of geologic formations revealed that the highest correlation (r=0.99) was observed between calcareous geologic (Ktl) unit and EC of the groundwater; whereas, there was the least correlation between Acidic volcanic rocks (Pc-cr) geologic unit and EC of the groundwater (r=0.07).

Keywords


Abdoli MA and Jalili Ghazizadeh M, 2009. Comparison between anaerobic treatability of municipal landfill leachate containing both total and soluble substrate. Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 11(1): 61-72. (In Persian)
Badiei Nezhad A, Farzadkia M, Gholami M and Jonidi Jafari A, 2014. Chemical quality assessment of Shiraz plain’s groundwater as a drinking water resource using Geographical Information System (GIS). Iranian South Medical Journal 17 (3) :358-367. (In Persian)
Behzad A and Hamzeh F, 2010. Effect of geological formation on aquifer water quality of Western Dehdasht. Geography 3(11): 93-112. (In Persian)
Ekrami M, Sharifi ZA, Malekinezhad H and Ekhtesasi MR, 2012. Investigating the groundwater quality and quantity variations vrend case ctudy: Yazd-Ardakan Plain, 2000s. The Journal of Toloo-e-behdasht 10 (3 and 3-4) :82-91. (In Persian)
Embaby AA and El-Barbary S, 2011. Evaluation of Quaternary aquifer for agricultural purposes in northwest Sinai, Egypt. Journal of American Science 7(3): 344-361.
Ghaderi Z and Hezarkhani A, 2011. Hydrochemical classification of groundwater in Chardouli Qorveh Plain. Journal of Water Research in Agriculture 26(4): 415-422. (In Persian)
Jahbez A, 1994. Investigation of the hydrochemical properties of Sarvestan Watershed with emphasis on the role of geological formations. MSc. Thesis. College of Agriculture, Shiraz University. (In Persian)  
Jat MK, Khare D and Garg PK, 2009. Urbanization and its impact on groundwater: a remote sensing and GIS-based assessment approach. The Enviromentalist 29(1): 17-32.
Kardavani P, 2008. Water Resources and Issues in Iran. Tehran University Publication. (In Persian)  
Lalehzari R, Tabatabaei SH and Yarali NA, 2009. Variation of nitrate contamination in Shahrekord Aquifer and its mapping using GIS. Journal of Iran Water Research 3 (4). 9-17. (In Persian)  
Morovati M, Monavari SM, Hasani AH and Rosta Z, 2011. Feasibility study of application of sewage for artificial injection of aquifer in the plain of Yazd-Ardakan . Journal of Human and Environment 19. 21-26. (In Persian) 
Naseri H and Dadvaran F, 2005. Hydrogeochemical properties of hard formation of Ghezel Ozan Basin. 21st Earth Science Conference. National Geological Organization, Mashhad, Iran. (In Persian)
Noshadi M and Ghafourian A, 2016. Groundwater quality analysis using multivariate statistical techniques (case study: Fars province, Iran). Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 188(419): 1-13.
Omer AM, 2013. Ground water sources, Geological formations, and their environment in Sudan. Herald Journal of Geography and Regional Planning 2(2): 82-88.
Rahmati A, Mahmoudt N, Mosaedi A and Heidari F, 2015. Investigation of the land use and lithology on the quality of springs of Piranshahr Watershed. Iran-Watershed Management Science & Engineering 8(27): 19-26. (In Persian)
Rezaei M, 2011. Investigation of the controlling factors of salinity in the Mond Plain Alluvial Aquifer of Bushehr. Journal of the Environment 58: 105-116. (In Persian)
Richards LA, 1954. Diagnosis and Improvement of Saline Alkali Soils, Agriculture. Handbook 60. US Department of Agriculture, Washington DC. 160p.  
Sadat-Noori SM, Ebrahimi K and Liaghat AM, 2014. Groundwater quality assessment using the water quality index and GIS in Saveh-Nobaran aquifer, Iran. Environmental Earth Sciences 71(9): 3827-3843.
Sadashivaiah C, Ramakrishnaiah CR and Ranganna, G. 2008. Hydrochemical analysis and evaluation of groundwater quality in Tumkur Taluk, Karnataka State, India. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 5(3): 158-164.
Sadeghzadeh Sadat M, Nazemi AH and Sadraddini AA, 2017. Impacts of Surface Water Quality on Groundwater Quality (Case study: Tabriz plain). Water and Soil Science 7(3): 225-237. (In Persian)
Samani S, Kalantari N and Rahimi MH. 2011. Application of the cluster analysis to qualitative evaluation of the groundwater of Aavan Plain. Water Resources Engineering 4: 75-86.
Stamatis G, Alexakis D, Gamvroula D and Migiros G, 2011. Groundwater quality assessment in Oropos-Kalamos basin Attica Greece. Environmental Earth Sciences 64(4): 973-988.
Stiff HA Jr, 1951. The interpretation of chemical water analysis by means of patterns. Journal of Petroleum Technology 3(10): 15-16.
Tahmasian S, Khani Temeliyeh Z and Behmanesh J, 2018. Evaluation of the groundwater quality of Khorramabad Plain. Journal of Environment and Water Engineering 3(4): 341-352. (In Persian)
Widory D, Kloppmann W, Chery L, Bonnin J, Rochdi H and Guinamant JL, 2004. Nitrate in groundwater: an isotopic multi-tracer approach. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 72(1–4): 165-188.