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Hydrochemical characteristics and the effects of irrigation on groundwater quality in Harran Plain, GAP Project, Turkey

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Environmental Geology

Abstract

Improper design, faulty planning, mismanagement and incorrect operation of irrigation schemes are the principle reasons for the deterioration of groundwater quality in a large number of countries, in particular in semi-arid and arid regions. The aim of this study is to determine the dimensions of groundwater quality after surface irrigation was begun in the semi-arid Harran Plain. Physical and chemical parameters of the groundwater including pH, temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, sulphate, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, total phosphorus, total organic carbon and turbidity were determined monthly during the 2006 water year. The quality of the groundwater in the study area was assessed hydrochemically in order to determine its suitability for human consumption and agricultural purposes. In the general plain, the EC values measured were considerably above the guide level of 650 μS/cm, while nitrate in particular was found in almost all groundwater samples to be significantly above the maximum admissible concentration of 50 mg/l for the quality of water intended for human consumption as per the international and national standards. Total hardness reveals that a majority of the groundwater samples fall in the very hard water category. Interpretation of analytical data shows that Ca–HCO3 and Ca–SO4 are the dominant hydrochemical facies in the study area.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Scientific & Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK project no: 104Y188) and the Scientific Research Projects Committee of Harran University (HÜBAK project no: 603). The authors would like to thank to Muhsin Naz, Yasemin Bayindir, Ozlem Demir, Atiye Atguden and Nuray Gok for their continuous helps in the field and laboratory studies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Engineering, Harran University, Osmanbey Campus, 63000, Şanlıurfa, Turkey

    M. Irfan Yesilnacar

  2. Directorate of Technical Research, Planning and Coordination, Şanlıurfa Municipality, Şanlıurfa, Turkey

    M. Said Gulluoglu

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  1. M. Irfan Yesilnacar
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  2. M. Said Gulluoglu
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Correspondence to M. Irfan Yesilnacar.

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Yesilnacar, M.I., Gulluoglu, M.S. Hydrochemical characteristics and the effects of irrigation on groundwater quality in Harran Plain, GAP Project, Turkey. Environ Geol 54, 183–196 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0804-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-0804-9

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