Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences

Evaluation of Factors Influencing Groundwater Chemical Quality Using Statistical and Hydrochemical Methods in Jiroft Plain

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors
M. Faryabi 1
N. Kalantari 2
A. Negarestani 3
1 Kerman Regional Water Authority, Kerman, Iran.
2 Department of Geology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz, Ahwaz, Iran.
3 Kerman Regional Water Authority, Kerman, Iran
10.22071/gsj.2010.55355
Abstract
The Jiroft plain is located at about 230 km from Kerman city in southeast of Iran. As groundwater is the main source for agriculture, industry and drinking in this area, thus its qualitative evaluation is very important. In this study for evaluation of groundwater chemical quality, a combination of statistical method such cluster analysis and correlation coefficients and hydro geochemical methods such ionic ratios and composition diagrams were used. Groundwater samples were grouped with the use of Cluster Analysis method and similar samples were identified. On the basis of cluster analysis results, the groundwater samples fall into four groups, in other words the aquifer has been divided into four zones and each zone has peculiar chemical characteristics. In this paper ionic ratios of (Na+K-Cl)/ (Na+K-Cl+Ca), Na/ (Na+Cl), Mg/ (Ca+Mg), Ca/ (Ca+SO4), Cl/ (sum anions) and HCO3/ (sum anions) and composition diagrams for the characterizing groundwater influencing factors were used. Based on the obtained results, processes such as dissolution of gypsum and halite, Na-rich plagioclase weathering and ion exchange affect the groundwater quality of the study area.
Keywords
Groundwater
Chemical Quality
Cluster analysis
Ionic Ratio
Jiroft plain
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Scientific Quarterly Journal of Geosciences
Volume 20, Issue 77
Winter 2010
Pages 115-120