The Effect of Salt Basins on the Trend of Groundwater Quality Changes in the Surrounding Basins (Case Study: Tabriz Plain, Northwest of Iran) Publisher



Dehghani MH^{1, 2} ; Asghari FB¹ ; Yousefi M¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Desalination and Water Treatment Published:2019

Abstract

Urmia Lake is one of the most important inland water bodies in Iran and Tabriz plain which is located in the northwest of Iran. In the last decade, the average water level of this lake has been reduced, and since the Urmia Lake and surrounding groundwater of this lake are related to each other, surveying the changes in the quality and quantity of these water resources is important. The qualitative parameters (pH, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), electrical conductivity, Na + , total dissolved solids, Ca 2+ , K + , Mg 2+ , Cl − , CO 3 2− , HCO 3 − , %Na, and SO 4 2− ) from about 130 wells of Tabriz plain groundwater were investigated from 2010 to 2015. Data were analyzed using geographic information systems. Modified Mann–Kendall test and the values of trend slope using the Theil–Sen estimator were estimated, and for these tests, the R software was used. Based on the results, water samples have an alkaline face and were Ca 2+ –Mg 2+ –Na + and Cl – –HCO 3 – –SO 4 2– types and characterized as very hard and brackish water throughout the study period. Based on the results of water analysis, most of the qualitative parameters were over the World Health Organization standard limit. The water of Urmia Lake has decreased and the amount of salinity increased, so changes trending in SAR, Na + , %Na + , and Cl – in the Tabriz plain groundwater indicate that changes in the quality of Urmia Lake have a significant impact on the quality of Tabriz plain groundwater. © 2019 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved.