Groundwater Quality Assessment in Haraz Alluvial Fan, Iran

8/11/2019 Groundwater Quality Assessment in Haraz Alluvial Fan, Iran

1/15

International Journal of Scientific Research in Environmental Sciences, 2(10), pp. 346-360, 2014

Available online at http://www.ijsrpub.com/ijsres

ISSN: 2322-4983; 2014 IJSRPUB

http://dx.doi.org/10.12983/ijsres-2014-p0346-0360

346

Full Length Research Paper

Groundwater Quality Assessment in Haraz Alluvial Fan, Iran

Atikeh Afzali*, Kaka Shahedi, Mahmoud Habib Nezhad Roshan, Karim Solaimani, Ghorban Vahabzadeh

Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Watershed Management Department, Sari, Iran,* Corresponding author: E-mail: [email protected], +989113006807

Received 13 July 2014; Accepted 24 August 2014

Abstract. Evaluation of groundwater quality is an important issue to assure from its safe and stable use. However, describingquality conditions is generally difficult considering spatial variability of pollutants and a wide range of indicators (biological,

physical and chemical substances) which can be measured. In this research, groundwater quality of Haraz alluvial fan locatedin southern part of Caspian Sea has been investigated using Piper, Scholler, Wilcox and GQI methods. Piper diagram (agraphical representation of a water sample chemistry) results showed that groundwater type and facies of Calcium bicarbonatein 29 wells and sodium bicarbonate in 2 wells. Scholler diagram shows moderate to acceptable quality of water and withWilcox method it has been determined that all water samples (100%) are in C3S1 Class that Indicate high water quality.Investigation of water samples with GQI method also showed that the study area in terms of the indicator is in range ofmoderate to good quality (71.83 82.26).

Keywords:Groundwater quality, Piper method, Scholler method, Wilcox method, GQI

1. INTRODUCTION

Increasing population growth and rising living

standards in many countriesnecessitate higher quality

water resources for various uses as agriculture,

industry and drinking (Rahmani, 2010). In this way

groundwater resources have been considered as

valuable reserves and infrastructure developing

countries, also tried to understand the capabilities of

these resources and their usage can be found

(Mohamahi et al., 2011). Groundwater is almost

globally important for human consumption as well as

for the support of habitat and for maintaining theriver's base-flow. It is usually of excellent quality.

Being naturally filtered in their passage through the

ground, they are usually clear, colorless, and free from

microbial contamination and require minimal

treatment (Babiker et al., 2007). Water quality with

respect to path length and abundance of soluble

ingredient can be very different in various regions

(Mahdavi, 2011).

A groundwater threat is now posed by an ever-

increasing number of soluble chemicals from urban

and industrial activities and from modern agricultural

practices. Nevertheless, landslides, fires and othersurface processes that increase or decrease infiltration

or that expose or blanket rock and soil surfaces

interacting with downward-moving surface water,

may also affect the quality of shallow groundwater

(Babiker et al., 2007). Aquifers face with different

risks such as declining their levels, reduced recharge

due to lack of rainfall and normal and abnormal

pollutants, so groundwater quality monitoring is

extremely important(Mohamadi et al., 2011).

Chemical composition of groundwater is measured

to determine its suitability as a source for human use

and animal consumption, irrigation, industrial

purposes and the others. Water quality refers to the

physical, chemical, and biological characteristics that

are required for water uses. Therefore, water quality

monitoring is important because clean water is

essential for human health and integrity of aquaticecosystems (Hiyama, 2010). Also quality evaluation

will be clear vision to specialists and managers of

groundwater quality trends and risk of contamination

of water resources (Nakhaei et al., 2009).

There are several methods to determine water

quality, the most common method to assess water

quality for drinking purpose, is Scholler diagram, that

provides possibility of water study at a certain point in

the area, but, the spatial variability of groundwater

quality cannot be evaluated by this diagram,For this

reason, Babiker et al. (2007) has introduced

Groundwater Quality Index (GQI), which is used toevaluate spatial variability of groundwater quality

(Rahmani et al., 2011).


2/15

Afzali et al.


347

In assessing of water quality for agriculture,

Wilcox method is a common method, (Devi Oinam et

al., 2012).

Piper diagram indicate chemical characteristics of

water in terms of relative concentrations of the major

cations and anions. Through its application, it is

possible to determine type and frequency of

components of the solution.

Groundwater chemistry patterns in the phreatic

aquifer of the central Belgiancoastal plainusing Piper

diagram were determined. In the region, main

processes determining general water quality are

Cations exchange, carbonate mineral dissolution and

oxidation of organic matter (Vandenbohede and

Lebbe, 2012).InGeochemical and analysis evaluation

of groundwater in Imphal and Thoubal district of

Manipur, India, Wilcox plot and USSL diagrams wereused to study spatial and temporal variability in

groundwater quality. The study reflected the overall

suitability of groundwater for human use (Devi Oinam

et al., 2012). Hydro-geochemistry of groundwater

with Using 25 water samples analysis with Piper

diagram in parts of the Ayensu Basin of Ghana

indicated that dominant composition of water was Na-

CL and Na-HCO3-CL (Zakaria et al., 2012). In

examining the origin and evolution of brine of Iran

Mighan Playa using Piper and Stiff diagrams, which

water inlet type wasNa-(Ca)-(Mg) SO4-Cl-(CO3) and,

during Geochemical evolution and evaporation,mineral deposition of brine have become Na-Cl-SO4

type (Abdi and Rahimpoor Bonab, 2010). Aquifers

quality for drinking purpose in Dargaz, Iran, was

assessed by using GQI index and Scholler method.

GQI index changedbetween 66 to 86 and indicated

moderate to good groundwater quality for drinking.

But with using Scholler method, water samples are in

good to very unpleasant category (Sayyad et al.,

2011). Hydro geochemical study of water in Chegart

mine using graphical and statistical analysis showed

that using conventional graphical methods such as

Piper and Stiff diagrams for classification of watersamples, is efficient, especially in the case of few

data,(Eslamzadeh and Morshedi, 2011). Groundwater

quality determined using GQI indexin Nasuno basin,

Japan showed good water quality. In this study, the

GQI value was more than 90 (Babiker et al., 2007).

For groundwater vulnerability assessment using GQI

index in Nasuno, Japan, Hiyama (2010) concluded

thatwater quality was good and GQI index was 83.

In the study area, due to the proximity to the

Caspian Sea, close to the surface of the groundwater

level, doing agricultural operations and the suitability

of soil, groundwater quality degradation is more

likely. Thus groundwater qualitywas evaluated using

Piper,Wilcox,Scholler, and GQI methods. Evaluation

of groundwater quality in combination with the

above-mentioned methods were commonly accepted

in the world for determining water quality for

agriculture and drinking uses, give more

comprehensive information of groundwater quality in

Haraz alluvial fan and provide condition for better

management of this valuable resource and sustainable

usage is possible.

2. MATERIAL AND METHODS

2.1. Study area

Haraz alluvial fan located between Caspian Sea in

northern part and Alborz Mountain from southern part

and surrounds Amol and Mahmoodabad cities. This

region was located between 52195 E and 52

359

E Longitudes and 36

24

5

N and 36

39

40

Nlatitudes and latitudes. Haraz River is the main river

of this area. The study area in terms of geology

contains Sandy coastline (QT2C) and agricultural

Clay of covered areas (QC) (Fig 1).

Chemical analysis of water samples provides much

information which are useful for many practical

problems such as study of mixing of waters from

different sources, groundwater quality condition,

effect of different structures on water quality,

investigation of origin of salinity.

In this research, 31 wells with complete records in

terms of

Electrical conductivity (EC), Total dissolvedsolids (T.D.S), logarithm of the hydrogen ion activity

(Ph), Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Sodium (Na),

Potassium (K), Bicarbonate (HCO3), Chlorine (CL),

Carbonate (CO3), and Sulfate (SO4 ) during 1998 until

2006 were used and their data converted to mg/l

(Table 1). Then data were analyzed in Excel. Excel is

capable of just analyzing of 23 wells data and draws

the diagrams. Thus, in this project at the first stage, 20

wells data with the name of 1 were given to the

software and in the next stage data of 11 remained

wells with the name of 2 for data analyzing and graph

drawing entered in the software. These two names (1,2) are visible on the top of the diagram. GQI method

was performed in ARCGIS.

2.2. HYDROCHEMISTRY GRAPHICAL

METHODS FOR CATEGORICAL DATA

2.2.1. Piper method

Piper diagram is made of combination of three

different fields that implements anions and cations

percentage in triangle fields and their combined

condition in rhombus Square. Percentages are

calculated in terms of equivalent in millions of main

ions.


3/15


4/15


5/15


6/15

Afzali et al.


351

Fig. 4: Wilcox Diagram (1) Fig. 5: Wilcox Diagram (2)

Fig. 6: Scholler Diagram (1) Fig. 7: Scholler Diagram (2)

2.2.4. Groundwater quality index (GQI)

GQI index provides a method for summarizing of

water quality condition that can be obviously notified

to different researchers and also can help to

understand whether total quality of groundwater

components are regarded as a potential threat for

different application of water. In this section, we used

GIS to calculate GQI value, such as other mentioned

diagrams, we used chemical analysis result of 31samples. In GQI method, six chemical parameters

(T.D.S, Ca, Mg, Na, CL, and SO4) that have high

frequencies in groundwater and are important for

human health are compared with WHO standards.

For this purpose, At first step, we provided related

parameter concentration raster map in ARCGIS with

Kriging interpolation of point data and then for having

one common scale with the use of the following

formula, concentrations of each pixel (C) in raster

maps that have been created in the last step, make a

connection with WHO standard of that parameter

(C(WHO)).

Ci-new = Ci C(WHO)i/ Ci+ C(WHO)i (1)

The results of these unifications are six new mapswith value range from -1 and 1.Concentrations in

these maps are graded between 1 and 10 until graded

map of each parameter was obtained. In these maps, 1

is indicator of good quality of groundwater and 10 is


7/15


352

indicator of destruction of groundwater quality.

Indeed, in this unit conversion,-1 in the previous step

map should be converted to 1, 0 to 5 and 1 to 10 in the

graded map. For this purpose, we use the following

Polynomial function for conversion of each pixel of

the previous map (C) to new value (R))Fig 9, 10, 11,

12, 13, 14) (Babiker et al., 2007).

R=0.5C2+4.5C+5 (2)

For the creation of a map that is representative of

all six chemical parameters and showing quantity

condition of groundwater quality compared with

WHO standard, application of GQI index and related

layers parameters were combined (Fig 8).

GQI = 100 ((r1 w1 +r2 w2+...+rnwn) /N) (3)W = mean r + 2 (4)

Where r is the maps that obtained from previous

stage and N is final numbers of parameters. For

calculating GQI from various parameters, weight

average is taken. Parameters with higher value (The

difference with the standard) have higher weight and

as a result their Influence is more significant (Hiyama,

2010).

Fig. 8: GQI map


8/15

Afzali et al.


353

Fig. 9: Ca r map

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

3.1. Piper diagram

Data analysis using Piper diagram from 31 wells

indicated that 29 wells had calcic bicarbonate and two

wells had sodic bicarbonate facies. The dominant

anions wereHCO3> SO4> Cl (Right triangle), and the

dominant cations were Ca >Na+K> Mg (Left triangle)

(Table 2, Fig 2,3).

3.2. Wilcox method

The results of Wilcox method indicated that 100% of

the wells were located in C3 S1Class, and all

irrigation wells were salty and their applications for

agricultural purpose are permitted (Table 3, 4, Fig 4,

5).


9/15


354

Table 3: Water quality for agriculture of the Wilcox methodAbbreviation sampling Location SAR EC Water Class Water quality for agriculture

W1 Kharab mahale 1.67 1182.67 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agricultureW2 Hoseyn abad 1.17 811.684 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W3 Khardon kola amol 1.79 1037.26 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W4 Aghozbin 1 790.389 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W5 Kolodeh 1.63 1218.89 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agricultureW6 Kasemdeh 1 764.833 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W7 Yamchi 1.62 1201.79 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agricultureW8 Kola safa 1.66 1304.28 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W9 Police rah amol 0.99 1005.58 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W10 Skandeh 1.18 885.105 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W11 Rodbar 1.68 995.3 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agricultureW12 No kola 0.93 757.842 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W13 Sharm kola 0.95 815.579 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W14 Bala mir deh 1.12 952.895 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W15 Pasha kola 1.29 901.105 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agricultureW16 Heshtel paeen 1.02 934.895 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W17 Afra sara 1.15 975.263 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W18 Eshkar kola 1.69 1327 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agricultureW19 Sorkh rood 0.91 766.2 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W20 Darvish khey amol 1.59 1271.11 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W21 Spi kola 1.52 1269.75 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agricultureW22 Marzango 1.94 956.474 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W23 Boneh kenar 1.34 1008.89 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W24 Shariat kola 2.38 1414.33 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agricultureW25 Ghiyas kola 1.52 1362.89 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W26 Form 1.96 1444.53 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agricultureW27 Karon 1.99 1277.06 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W28 Talikran 2.94 1617.63 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W29 Roz kenar 4.07 2041.95 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W30 Darya kenar 1.75 1049.53 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

W31 Rodbast 2.06 1368.05 C3-S1 Salty - usable for agriculture

Table 4:Percentage of each Wilcox classification class for agricultural purposes

C1C2C3C4

S1S2S3S4S1S2S3S4S1S2S3S4S1S2S3S4

000000001000000000

Table 5:Water quality classification with Scholler method

GQITDSTHSO4CLNa

Classification of

water quality for

drinking

80250>144>177.5>115>Good500 1000250 - 500144 - 288177.5 - 350155 - 230Acceptable

60 - 801000 2000500 - 1000288 - 576350 710230 - 460Average60>

2000 40001000 - 2000576 - 1152710 - 1420460 - 920Inappropriate4000 80002000 - 40001152 - 23401420 - 2840920 - 1840Completely

inappropriate

8000


10/15

Afzali et al.


355

Fig. 10: CL r map

4. CONCLUSIONS

Many researchers have studied the groundwater

quality, and each of them have used different methods

for research (i.e., Abdi et al., 2010, Babiker et al.,

2007, Devi Oinam et al., 2012, Dindarlo et al.,

2006, Mohamadi et al., 2011), nevertheless,

studies in which different methods are used to assess

water quality, can provide more comprehensive view

of the future management of groundwater. In this

study, groundwater quality was assessed in Haraz

alluvial fan with different methods. As previously

mentioned, by use of Piper diagram water type and its

components can be easily realized. Results of this

diagram represent type and facies of Calciumbicarbonate in 29 wells and sodium bicarbonate in 2

wells.

Abdi and Rahimpoor bonab (2010), determined

type of Iran's Mighan Playa by Piper diagram. Their

results show Na-SO4-Cl type and affecting Factor for

final solution are: Precipitation, Evaporation and

Reaction of meteoric waters with rocks in the basin.

Nakhaei et al. (2009), determined type of groundwater

quality and qualitative evolution by using Piper

diagram, and concluded dominant type of Torbat

Heydariye plain of Iran is was sodium chloride and in

some areas was sodic sulphate and dominant hydro

chemical type of plain is functions of lithology,

dissolution strength, and flow pattern. Zakaria et al.

(2012) in their research used Piper diagrams to

determine water quality; they stated that dominant

type of water is in effect of soluble salts in soil layers

and the decomposition of organic material.

Studying by Wilcox diagram suggested that 100%of data are in C3S1 class that was indicator of water

with moderate quality and application of this water

was suggested in irrigation of coarse lands with good

drainage.


11/15


356

Scholler diagram is a traditional method that

parameters are separately evaluated, final quality is

determined by the worst quality and its parameters are

fixed. In this study, Scholler diagram showed

acceptable water quality in most wells that could be

used as drinking water. Water quality with GQI values

between 71.8 and 82.3 is acceptable (Table 3). The

number and type of parameters in this method is

completely optionaland this enables the researcher to

suggest that qualitative changes in accordance with

the needs and problems of each region. Babiker et al

in 2007 expressed GQI index in Nasuno basin, Japan

was more than 90. Hiyama (2010)was concluded GQI

in Nasuno, Japan 83. Sayyad et al. (2011) results show

that GQI index changedbetween 66 to 86.

Fig. 11: Mg r map

With regard to presented results, we can state that

almost all the methods represented acceptable

groundwater quality of studied area for drinking and

agriculture. It can be due to abundant rainfall, low

evaporation, and the region being as alluvial fan,

which causes water transfer from upstream the Alborz

Mountains to downstream through Haraz River.

In evaluation of groundwater, the goal is waterquality investigation and planning for sustainable

application of these sources. With regard to relatively

acceptable quality of this area, appropriate application

of this vital resource is suggested. This research has

been done with using data from 9-year period.

However, due to the vicinity and similarly of different

wells data, the results of this research can be the same

with the result of groundwater analyzed in each year

of this period. Also, the study was not done in recentyears, was due to the lack of reliable data.


12/15

Afzali et al.


357

Fig. 12: Na r map

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We appreciate the assistance of Mr Morteza Shabani

from GIS labratory in Watershed Management

Department at Sari that helped us to learn how use

GIS to draw maps and Mr Adel Khashave and Dr

Mehran Nor Mohamad Por Omran that helped us for

editing this paper.


13/15


14/15

Afzali et al.


359

plain. Fifteenth Meeting of Geological Society

of Iran.

Rahmani A (2010). Study of groundwater quality

changes trend(case study: Qaemshahr Joybar,

Mazandaranprovince). MS Thesis, Natural

Resources Faculty of Sari. 69-93.

Rahmani Gh R, Chitsazan M, Zaresefat M, Kalantari

N (2011). Evaluation of groundwater quality for

drinking with GQI in Ize Piyon plain. Fourth

International Conference on Water Resources

Management of Iran.

Sayyad H, Mohamadzaheh H, Velayati S (2011).

Assessment of water quality in Dargaz aquifer

for drinking with using Scholler diagram and

GQI index. Proceedings of the Thirtieth

Meeting of Geological Sciences. Iran.

Vandenbohede A, Lebbe L (2012). Groundwater

chemistry patterns in the phreatic aquifer of the

central Belgian coastal plain. Applied

Geochemistry, 27: 2236.

Zakaria N, Akiti TT, Osae Sh, Dickson A, Ganyaglo

SY, Hanson JEK, Ayanu G (2012). Hydro

geochemistry of groundwater in parts of the

Ayensu Basin of Ghana. Proceedings of the

International Academy of Ecology and

Environmental Sciences, 2(2):128-135.

Fig. 14: SO4 r map


15/15

Groundwater Quality Assessment in Haraz Alluvial Fan, Iran

Documents

Transcript of Groundwater Quality Assessment in Haraz Alluvial Fan, Iran