The Kouh-e Zar mining area with iron oxide-rich types of Cu–Au (IOCG)-type gold mineralization is located in a fractured zone between two main “Darouneh” and “Taknar” faults in 35 km northwest of Torbat-e Heydarieh. In this study, the hydrogeochemistry and water quality of groundwater were examined for irrigation uses. Totally, 11 groundwater samples were collected in semi-arid area surrounding the mine. According to the irrigation water quality indices such as sodium absorption ratio, sodium percentage, residual sodium carbonate, residual sodium bicarbonate, potential salinity, salinity index, salinity hazard, permeability index and magnesium hazard, the water resources were appraised suitable to unsuitable. Na+ was a dominant cation and HCO3− was a dominant anion in the water samples. Fortunately, SO42− content is low (< 250 mg/L) in the water samples because of low-sulfide content mineralization in this mine. Water–rock interaction was defined as the controlling process on groundwater chemistry based on the Gibbs diagram. Calculated saturation indices revealed that the anion and cations in groundwater originated from dissolution of minerals and evaporation process. In the case of dominant Ca2+ and Mg2+, they were originated by dissolution of carbonate minerals such as calcite, dolomite and aragonite. Na+ was likely originated by plagioclase weathering in the brecciated volcanic rocks. Though the sulfidic mineralization is not so high in the Kouh-e Zar area, however, considering the existence of metalogenic mineralization in the Kouh-e Zar area, there is also a risk potential of release of toxic elements into the groundwater on which further deep investigation is ongoing in the area.

Assessment of groundwater suitability for irrigation in a gold mine surrounding area, NE Iran

Spatiotemporal assessment of groundwater quality for irrigation is essential for agricultural management. This study was conducted to quantify the spatiotemporal changes of Kerman groundwater irrigation quality during 1999–2010 using geostatistical analysis combined with a new method established based on regression coefficient (RC). Result showed that among the main soluble ions, Na+ and Cl− had the highest concentrations. Except Ca+2, the average concentration of all other soluble ions and also EC were higher than the maximum permissible levels for drinking, however, Na+, SO
 4
 −2
 and EC showed no limitations for agricultural irrigation. Based on the proposed RC, soluble Na+, Ca+2, Cl−, total cations, total anions and EC have gradually increased over the years. Soluble Cl− with 0.18 meq l−1 y−1 showed averagely the highest value of RC. Also, EC exhibited an increasing trend with an average value of 16.8 µS cm−1 y−1. In contrast, Mg+2, SO
 4
 −2
 and SAR exhibited negative values of RC, while the value for HCO3
 − was zero. Based on nugget-to-sill ratios, the groundwater variables had moderate to strong spatial structure. Finally, the spatiotemporal changes of groundwater salinity (EC) and sodicity (SAR) have been mainly controlled by Na+ and Cl−.

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Spatiotemporal mapping of groundwater quality for irrigation using geostatistical analysis combined with a linear regression method

Groundwater is a major source of water for domestic, industrial, and agricultural sectors in many countries. The main objective of this research was to provide an overview of present groundwater quality using parameters such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, sulfate, pH, and electrical conductivity (EC) in the Mehran plain, Ilam province using GIS and geostatistical techniques. A total of 23 deep and semi-profound wells were selected based on the classified randomized sampling method. The sampling locations were obtained by GPS. Plastic containers were used for the collection of water samples. These samples were transferred to the laboratory for analyzing water quality parameters. Statistical characteristics, qualitative data interpolation, and zoning were investigated using SPSS 20 ،GS+5.3 and ArcGIS10.1. Kolmogorov–Smirnov test were used to test data normality. In order to normalize parameters, logarithm, and 1/x were used for sulfate, EC, cation, and anion. Then the variogram analysis was performed to select the appropriate model. Results showed that co-kriging is the best method for cation and anion, whereas local polynomial interpolation is suitable for sulfate. The results of the interpolation of groundwater quality factors showed that there is approximately good adaption among groundwater factors and geomorphology and topology of the region. Because of inappropriate irrigation system, the highest concentration is in the northwest and western parts of the region, where there is the minimum height and maximum agricultural land. Growth of arable land and agricultural activities has caused increasing concentrations of studied elements, especially EC.

/pdf/investigation-of-spatial-structure-of-groundwater-quality-3i0n0q72j8.pdf

Investigation of Spatial Structure of Groundwater Quality Using Geostatistical Approach in Mehran Plain, Iran

Groundwater aquifers as one of the main sources of water supplies are faced with different risks such as level dropping due to lack of precipitation, and natural and non-natural pollutants. Thus, it is extremely necessary to monitor ground water quality. In the present study, the concentration of cations, anions, and some toxic metals was evaluated in 21 rural water supplies in Qorveh plain in two stages. Data were analyzed with Rockwork and Arc GIS software. Results from Hydro chemical analysis showed that all the studied parameters had lower concentrations than the permitted limits, except for arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) in some of water resources. As concentration in 20% of studied resources were higher than recommended standards. There was a significant difference between nitrate (NO 3 −) concentrations in the two low- and high-water seasons (P < 0.01). Bicarbonate (HCO 3 − ) and calcium (Ca 2+ ) were the prevalent anion and cation, respectively, meaning that samples type was calcium-bicarbonate. Wilcox diagram classified the samples in C2-S1 and C3-S1 classes. Correlation coefficient between chemical parameters showed that HCO 3 − and Ca 2+ had the highest correlation. Finally, it can be said that except for As and Se, other water characteristics have a good quality for drinking water application. However, current and uncontrolled application of the studied water supplies, especially in agricultural activities, can change and decrease their quality. Therefore, it is important to prevent the health threats of such process.

http://jaehr.muk.ac.ir/article_40140_92844156ce6796bbb2bd82cae024d5ea.pdf

Assessment of chemical quality of drinking water in rural areas of Qorveh city, Kurdistan province, Iran

Quality parameters Groundwater, Geostatistical Plain Golpayegan. The increasing, harvesting and utilization of groundwater resources can affect water quality in an area and cause salination and other forms of contamination of the groundwater aquifers in such areas. Thus, information on water quality parameters is becoming very important. Physical and chemical water quality of acceptability point of view, it is essential for consumers and their health. In this study, about 84 wells in the area were used. The data obtained for the parameters of the SAR, Na, Ca, TH, TDS and EC in Excel software for preparing the database was stored in dbf format. To investigate the relationship between the parameters of the method of Pearson correlation analysis using SPSS version 16 were used in the environment. Then, using the GS + and ArcGIS software Cokriging and kriging methods was investigated. Results showed that the results from kriging and Cokriging method showed no significant difference. But the lower RMSE Cokriging methods, zoning maps, groundwater characteristics were obtained with this method in the GIS environment. Due to digital maps produced by the region, solute concentration is higher in the northeast study area due to it being the industrial and urban area. This is the most likely reason for the high concentration of salts in this area. Recent droughts and the indiscriminate use of groundwater salinization risks and loss of agricultural land areas are increasing more than before.

/pdf/estimation-of-spatial-distribution-of-groundwater-quality-1z9u5rsyh4.pdf

H Mohammad Asgari

Papers

Modeling of ground water spatial distribution for some chemical properties (case study in garmsar watershed)