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Hydro-geochemical classification and spatial distribution of groundwater to examine the suitability for irrigation purposes (Golestan Province, north of Iran)

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Abstract

One of the most important agricultural areas in Iran is Golestan Province. In this study, the suitability of groundwater for irrigation purposes was assessed. To determine hydro-geochemical classification of the station and assessment of spatial modeling of the study area, 12 groundwater stations were selected and an average of the last 5 years of sampling (2011–2015) has been considered. Suitability of groundwater for irrigation was assessed based on Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Na%, Permeability Index (PI), Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR), Kelley’s Ratio (KR), Corrosion Ratio (CR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), Potential Soil Salinity (PSS), Chloro-Alkaline Indices (CAI), Meteoric genesis (Met. gen) and Wilcox classification. The abundance of major ions followed a HCO3 > SO4 > Na > Ca > Mg > Cl > K trend. CAI results indicate reverse cation exchange for this area, and Wilcox classification indicates that only Kalou, Kafshgari, and Kia stations are appropriate for irrigation. The spatial distribution of groundwater quality demonstrates a decreasing trend from SE to NW based on CAI, Cl, CR, EC, TSS, and TDS and shows reverse trends for KR, MAR, Met. gen, Mg/Ca, Na%, pH, PI, and RSC. In addition, the results of hydro-geochemical classification of irrigation parameters have categorized the irrigation water of this area into three different classes. Based on EC, MAR, Mg/Ca, Cl and CR, this area is suitable, but based on PSS, KR, and TH, all stations are unsuitable and according to SAR, TDS, Na% and PI, this area’s groundwater is moderate.

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Acknowledgements

We are thankful to the Regional Water Organization of Golestan Province for providing the data and allowing its use.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, Tehran Polytechnic, Amirkabir University, Tehran, Iran

    Milad Kurdi & Taymor Eslamkish

  2. Department of Organic and Ecological Chemistry, Tyumen State University, Tyumen, Russia

    Milad Kurdi

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  1. Milad Kurdi
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  2. Taymor Eslamkish
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Correspondence to Taymor Eslamkish.

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Kurdi, M., Eslamkish, T. Hydro-geochemical classification and spatial distribution of groundwater to examine the suitability for irrigation purposes (Golestan Province, north of Iran). Paddy Water Environ 15, 731–744 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-017-0587-x

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