Sadat-Noori, S.M., Ebrahimi, K., and Liaghat, A.M. (2014) Groundwater quality assessment using the Water Quality Index and GIS in Saveh-Nobaran aquifer, Iran. Environmental Earth Sciences, 71. pp. 3827-3843.

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only

Abstract

Groundwater is the most important natural resource used for drinking by many people around the world, especially in arid and semi-arid areas. The resource cannot be optimally used and sustained unless the quality of groundwater is assessed. Saveh-Nobaran aquifer in Iran is the most important groundwater aquiferous system in the region which is considered a major source for drinking and irrigation. The main objective of this study is to understand the groundwater quality status of Saveh-Nobaran aquifer, followed by attempts to investigate the spatial distribution of groundwater quality parameters to identify places with the best quality for drinking consume within the study area. For this purpose, a set of original data, as yet unpublished, is presented. This paper provides an important contribution for understanding relationship between land use and groundwater quality, and also groundwater depth and groundwater quality. This goal has been achieved with the combined use of the Water Quality Index (WQI) and a geographical information system (GIS). A total of 58 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for major cations and anions. Spatial distribution maps of pH, TDS, EC, TH, Cl, HCO, SO4, Ca, Mg, Na and K have been created using the kriging method in a GIS environment. From the WQI assessment, over 65 % of the water samples fall within the ‘‘Poor’’, ‘‘Very poor’’ and “unsuitable for drinking” categories, suggesting that groundwater from the center and north-east of the Saveh-Nobaran aquifer is unsuitable for drinking purposes. This research and its results have shown the great combination use of GIS and WQI in assessing groundwater quality. Having a clear view of the geographic areas of groundwater quality, decision makers can plan better for the operation and maintenance of groundwater resources.

Item ID:	78848
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1866-6299
Copyright Information:	© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013
Date Deposited:	07 Jun 2023 23:08
FoR Codes:	37 EARTH SCIENCES > 3707 Hydrology > 370703 Groundwater hydrology @ 50% 37 EARTH SCIENCES > 3707 Hydrology > 370701 Contaminant hydrology @ 50%
SEO Codes:	18 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT > 1803 Fresh, ground and surface water systems and management > 180305 Ground water quantification, allocation and impact of depletion @ 100%
	More Statistics