Abstract
Located in a semi-arid climate, Çumra (Konya) plain is one of the most important agricultural regions in Turkey. Groundwater is the major source for agricultural, domestic, and other water-related activities due to the insufficiency of surface water. As groundwater is the only major source of water in this area, it is important to know the effects of geological formations and anthropogenic activities on groundwater chemistry. This study was carried out with the objective of identifying the hydrogeochemical characteristics and processes controlling the groundwater chemistry in Çumra Plain, Central Anatolia, Turkey. The study area is comprised of two main aquifers which are the semi-confined aquifer of the Neogene age and the unconfined aquifer of the Quaternary age. To identify the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in two aquifer systems and to understand the major factors and mechanisms controlling the groundwater chemistry, graphical plots, mineral saturations, and multivariate statistical analysis of chemical constituents in the groundwater were used. Study results show that groundwater is generally neutral to slightly alkaline in nature with a pH ranging from 6.67 to 8.10, and the dominance of ions is in the order of Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Na+ > K+ for the Neogene aquifer and HCO3 − > SO4 2− > Cl− > NO3 −; Mg2+ > Ca2+ > Na+ > K+ and SO4 2− > HCO3 − > Cl− > NO3 − for the Quaternary aquifer. While the chemical composition of groundwater in the Neogene aquifer is mainly controlled by water–rock interaction including dissolution of carbonates and gypsum, calcite precipitation, and de-dolomitization, the main geochemical processes in the Quaternary aquifer are reverse ion exchange, evaporation, dissolution of carbonates, gypsum and soil salts, calcite precipitation, and silicate weathering. The mechanism controlling groundwater chemistry in the Neogene aquifer is actually regulated by the geogenic processes (water–rock interaction) rather than by anthropogenic activities. However, the mechanism controlling groundwater chemistry in the Quaternary aquifer is regulated by both geogenic processes and anthropogenic activities. In addition, anthropogenic nitrogen pollution in the study area is currently not serious, but evaporation and leaching of soil salts due to anthropogenic activities increase the concentrations of ions in the Quaternary aquifer.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abrahão R, García-Garizábal I, Merchán D, Causapé J (2015) Climate change and the water cycle in newly irrigated areas. Environ Monit Assess 187:22. doi:10.1007/s10661-014-4260-1
Aghazadeh N, Mogaddam AA (2011) Investigation of hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in the Harzandat aquifer, Northwest of Iran. Environ Monit Assess 176:183–195
Ako AA, Shimada J, Hosono T, Ichiyanagi K, Nkeng GE, Eyong GET, Roger NN (2012) Hydrogeochemical and isotopic characteristics of groundwater in Mbanga, Njombe and Penja (Banana Plain)-Cameroon. J of Afr Earth Sci 75:25–36
Al-Khashman ÖA (2007) Study of water quality of springs in Petra region, Jordan: a 3-year follow-up. Water Resour Manage 21:1145–1163
Al-Shaibani AM (2008) Hydrogeology and hydrochemistry of a shallow alluvial aquifer, western Saudi Arabia. Hydrogeol J 16:155–165
APHA-AWWA-WPCF (1992) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 18th edn. APHA-AWWA-WPCF, USA
Appelo CAJ, Postma D (2005) Geochemistry, groundwater, and pollution, 2nd edn. Balkema, Amsterdam
Bayarı S, Özyurt N, Kilani S (2009a) Radiocarbon age distribution of grondwater in the Konya Closed Basin, central Anatolia, Turkey. Hydrogeol J 1:347–365
Bayarı S, Pekkan E, Özyurt N (2009b) Obruks, as giand collapse dolines caused by hypogenic karstification in the Central Anatolia, Turkey: analysis of likely formation processes. Hydrogeol J 17:327–345
Bozdağ A (2015) Combining AHP with GIS for assessment of irrigation water quality in Çumra Irrigation District (Konya), Central Anatolia, Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 73(12):8217–8236
Bozdağ A, Göçmez G (2013) Evaluation of groundwater quality in the Cihanbeyli basin, Konya, Central Anatolia, Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 69(3):921–937
Chae GT, Kim K, Yun ST, Kim KH, Kim SO, Choi BY, Kim HS, Rhee CW (2004) Hydrogeochemistry of alluvial groundwaters in an agricultural area: an implication for groundwater contamination susceptibility. Chemosphere 55:369–378
Coetsiers M, Walraevens K (2006) Chemical characterization of the Neogene Aquifer, Belgium. Hydrogeol J 14:1556–1568
Daniele L, Vallejo A, Corbella M, Molina L, Pulido-Bosch A (2013) Hydrogeochemistry and geochemical simulations to assess watererock interactions in complex carbonate aquifers: the case of Aguadulce (SE Spain). Appl Geochem 29:43–54
Datta PS, Tyagi SK (1996) Major ion chemistry of groundwater in Delhi area: chemical weathering processes and groundwater regime. J Geol Soc India 47:179–188
Drever JI (1997) Geochemistry of natural waters, 2nd edn. Prentice Hall, Eagle Wood Cliffs, p 388
DSI (General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works) (1975) Konya-Çumra-Karapınar Plain Hydrogeological Investigation Report, Ankara, p. 88
Dudeja D, Bartarya SK, Khanna PP (2013) Ionic sources and water quality assessment around a reservoir in Tehri, Uttarakhand, Garhwal Himalaya. Environ Earth Sci 69:2513–2527
Duncan RA, Bethune MG, Thayalakumaran T, Christen EW, McMahon TA (2008) Management of salt mobilization in the irrigated landscape. A review of selected irrigation regions. J Hydrol 351(1–2):238–252
Edmunds WM, Shand P (2008) Natural groundwater quality. Blackwell, Oxford
Esmaeili A, Moore F (2011) Hydrogeochemical assessment of groundwater in Isfahan province, Iran. Environ Earth Sci 67:107–120
Farid I, Trabelsi R, Zouari K, Abid K, Ayachi M (2013) Hydrogeochemical processes affecting groundwater in an irrigated land in Central Tunisia. Environ Earth Sci 68:1215–1231
Fisher RS, Mulican WF (1997) Hydrochemical evolution of sodium-sulfate and sodium-chloride groundwater beneath the Northern Chihuahuan desert, Trans-Pecos, Rexas, USA. Hydrogeol J 5(2):4–16
García-Garizábal I, José Gimeno M, Auque LF, Causapé J (2014) Salinity contamination response to changes in irrigation management. Application of geochemical codes. Span J Agric Res 12(2):376–387
García-Ruiz JM, López-Moreno JI, Vicente-Serrano SM, Lasanta-Martínez T, Beguería S (2011) Mediterranean water resources in a global change scenario. Earth Sci Rev 105(3–4):121–139
Ghesquière O, Walter J, Chesnaux R, Rouleau A (2015) Scenarios of groundwater chemical evolution in a region of the Canadian Shield based on multivariate statistical analysis. J Hydrol Reg Stud 4:246–266
Gibbs RJ (1970) Mechanisms controlling world water chemistry. Science 170:1088–1090
Göçmez G, Dıvrak BB, İş G (2008) Investigation of groundwater level change detection in Konya Closed Basin. Summary Report, WWF-Turkey, İstanbul, p. 18
Guendouz A, Moulla AS, Edmunds WM, Zouari K, Shand P, Mamou A (2003) Hydrogeochemical and isotopic evolution of water in the Complexe Terminal aquifer in the Algerian Sahara. Hydrogeol J 11:483–495
Hakyemez HY, Elibol E, Umut M, Bakırhan B, Kara İ, Dağıstan H, Metin T, Erdoğan N (1992) Geology of Konya-Cumra-Akören area: general directorate of mineral research and exploration comp. Report no: 42/24, Ankara. (in Turkish)
Helena BA, Vega M, Barrado E, Pardo R, Fernandez L (1999) A case of hydrochemical characterization of an alluvial aquifer influ-enced by human activities. Water Air Soil Pollut 112:365–387
Hem JD (1985) Study and interpretation of the chemical characteristics of natural water, 3rd edn. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper, 2254, 263
Irfan M, Said M (2008) Hydrochemical characteristics and the effects of irrigation on groundwater quality in Harran Plain, GAP Project, Turkey. Environ Geol 54:183–196
Isidoro D, Quílez D, Aragüés R (2006) Environmental impact of irrigation in La Violada District (Spain): I. Salt export patterns. J Environ Qual 35:766–775
Janardhan Raju N (2007) Hydrogeochemical parameters for assessment of groundwater quality in the upper Gunjanaeru River basin, Cuddapah District, Andhra Pradesh, South India. Environ Geol 52:1067–1074
Kraft GS, Stites W, Mechenich DJ (1999) Impacts of irrigated vegetable agriculture on a Humid North-Central US. Sand plain aquifer. Groundwater 37(4):572–580
Kumar M, Ramanathan ALR, Kumar MSB (2006) Identification and evaluation of hydrogeochemical processes in the groundwater environment of Delhi, India. Environ Geol 50:1025–1039
Kumar M, Kumari K, Singh UK, Ramanathan AL (2009) Hydrogeochemical processes in the groundwater environment of Muktsar, Punjab: conventional graphical and multivariate statistical approach. Environ Geol 57:873–884
Li P, Wu J, Qian H (2013) Assessment of groundwater quality for irrigation purposes and identification of hydrogeochemical evolution mechanisms in Pengyang County, China. Environ Earth Sci 69:2211–2225
Marghade D, Malpe DB, Zade AB (2012) Major ion chemistry of shallow groundwater of a fast growing city of Central India. Environ Monit Assess 184:2405–2418
Matthess G (1982) The properties of groundwater. Wiley, New York
Moeller P, Rosenthal E, Geyer S, Guttman J, Dulski P, Rybakov M, Zilberbrand M, Jahnke C, Flexer A (2007) Hydrochemical processes in the lower Jordan valley and in the Dead Sea area. Chem Geol 239(1–2):27–49
Montcoudiol N, Molson J, Lemieux JM (2014) Groundwater geochemistry of the Outaouais Region (Québec, Canada): a regional-scale study. Hydrogeol J. doi:10.1007/s10040-014-1190-5
Morse JW, Arvidson RS (2002) The dissolution kinetics of major sedimentary carbonate minerals. Earth Sci Rev 58:51–84
Naseem S, Rafique T, Bashir E, Bhanger MI, Laghari A, Usmani TH (2010) Lithological influences on occurrence of high-fluoride groundwater in Nagar Parkar area, Thar Desert, Pakistan. Chemosphere 78:1313–1321
Parkhurst DL, Appelo CAJ (1999) User’s guide to PHREEQC (Version 2): a computer program for speciation, batch-reaction, one-dimensional transport, and inverse geochemical calculations. Water-Resources Investigations, Report 99-4259, Denver, Co, USA, p. 312
Piper AM (1944) A graphic procedure in the chemical interpretation of water analysis. Am Geophys Union Trans 25:914–928
Prasanna MV, Chidambaram S, Srinivasamoorthy K (2010) Statistical analysis of the hydrogeochemical evolution of groundwater in hard and sedimentary aquifers system of Gadilam river basin, South India. J King Saud Univ (Science) 22:133–145
Puntoriero ML, Cirelli AF, Volpedo AV (2015) Geochemical mechanisms controlling the chemical composition of groundwater and surface water in the southwest of the Pampean plain (Argentina). J Geochem Explor 150:64–72
Rajesh R, Brindha K, Murugan R, Elango L (2012) Influence of hydrogeochemical processes on temporal changes in groundwater quality in a part of Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Environ Earth Sci 65:1203–1213
Rajmohan N, Elango EL (2004) Identification and evolution of hydrogeochemical processes in the groundwater environment in an area of the Palar and Cheyyar River Basins, Southern India. Environ Geol 46:47–61
Rao GT, Rao VVSG, Rao YS, Ramesh G (2013) Study of hydrogeochemical processes of the groundwaters in Ghatprabha river sub-basin, Bagalkot District, Karnataka, India. Arab J Geosci 6(7):2447–2459
Redwan M, Abdel Moneim AA (2015) Factors controlling groundwater hydrogeochemistry in the area west of Tahta, Sohag, Upper Egypt. J Afr Earth Sci. doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2015.10.002
Schoeller H (1964) La classification geochimique des eaux. General assembly of Berkeley 1963, vol 4. I.A.S.H Publication, Gentbrugge, Belgium, pp 16–24
Schoeller H (1965) Qualitative evaluation of groundwater resources. In: Methods and techniques of groundwater investigations and development. UNESCO Water Resources Series 33:44–52
Singh AK, Hundal HS, Singh D (2011) Geochemistry and assessment of hydrogeochemical processes in groundwater in the southern part of Bathinda district of Punjab, northwest India. Environ Earth Sci 64:1823–1833
Sinivasamoorthy K, Chidambaram S, Prasanna MV, Vasanthavihar M, John Peter A, Anandhan P (2008) Identification of major sources controlling groundwater chemistry from a hard rock terrain-a case study from Mettur taluk, Salem District, Tamilnadu, India. J Earth Sys Sci 117(1):49–58
Srivastava SK, Ramanathan AL (2008) Geochemical assessment of groundwater quality in vicinity of Bhalswa landfill, Delhi, India, using graphical and multivariate statistical methods. Environ Geol 53:1509–1528
Stallard RF, Edmond JM (1983) Geochemistry of Amazon, the influence of geology and weathering environment on the dissolved load. J Geophys Res 88:9671–9688
Su YH, Feng Q, Gao-Feng Z, Sı JH, Zhang YW (2007) Identification and Evolution of Groundwater Chemistry in the Ejin Sub-Basin of the Heihe River, Northwest China. Pedosphere 17(3):331–342
Su C, Wang Y, Pan Y (2013) Hydrogeochemical and isotopic evidences of the groundwater regime in Datong Basin, Northern China. Environ Earth Sci 70:877–885
Subba Rao N (1998) Groundwater quality in crystalline terrain of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam. J Sci 2(1):51–54
Subba Rao N (2008) Factors controlling the salinity in groundwaters from a part of Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Environ Monit Assess 138:327–341
Subba Rao N, Surya Rao P (2010) Major ion chemistry of groundwater in a river basin: a study from India. Environ Earth Sci 61(4):757–775
Subramani T, Elango L, Damodarasamy SR (2005) Groundwater quality and its suitability for drinking and agricultural use in Chithar River Basin, Tamil Nadu, India. Environ Geol 47:1099–1110
Subramani T, Rajmohan N, Elango L (2010) Groundwater geochemistry and identification of hydrogeochemical processes in a hard rock region, Southern India. Environ Monit Assess 162:123–137
Taheri Tizro A, Voudouris KS (2008) Groundwater quality in the semi-arid region of the Chahardouly basin, West Iran. Hydrol Process 22(6):3066–3078
Tay CK (2012) Hydrochemistry of groundwater in the Savelugu-Nanton District, Northern Ghana. Environ Earth Sci 67:2077–2087
Ulu Ü, Bulduk AK, Ekmekçi E, Karakaş M, Öcal H, Abbas A, Saçlı L, Taşkıran MA, Adır M, Sözeri Ş, Karabıyıkoğlu M (1994) Geology of İnlice-Akkise and Cihanbeyli-Karapinar area: General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration Comp. Rap. No: 9720, Ankara. (in Turkish)
Varol S, Davraz A (2014) Assessment of geochemistry and hydrogeochemical processes in groundwater of the Tefenni plain (Burdur/Turkey). Environ Earth Sci 71:4657–4673
Wen XH, Wu YQ, Wu J (2008) Hydrochemical characteristics of groundwater in the Zhangye Basin, Northwestern China. Environ Geol 55(8):1713–1724
Xiao J, Jin ZD, Wang J, Zhang F (2015) Hydrochemical characteristics, controlling factors and solute sources of groundwater within the Tarim River Basin in the extreme arid region, NW Tibetan Plateau. Quatern Int 380–381:237–246
Yangui H, Zouari K, Rozanski K (2012) Hydrochemical and isotopic study of groundwater in Wadi El Hechim-Garaa Hamra basin, Central Tunisia. Environ Earth Sci 66:1359–1370
Yavuz S (2010) Hydrogeological parameters used in determining karstic features of Konya-Karapınar Basin (in Turkish). MSc Thesis, Institute of Natural and Applied science, Çukurova University, Adana, Turkey, p. 84
Zhang L, Song X, Jun X, Yuan R, Zhang Y, Liu X, Han D (2011) Major element chemistry of the Huai River basin, China. Appl Geochem 26:293–300
Acknowledgments
This study was financially supported by Selcuk University Scientific Research Projects (BAP) (Project no. 11401151) (Konya, Turkey).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bozdağ, A. Assessment of the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in two aquifer systems in Çumra Plain, Central Anatolia. Environ Earth Sci 75, 674 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5518-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-016-5518-4