Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Groundwater irrigation quality mapping using geostatistical techniques in Amol–Babol Plain, Iran

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Groundwater is acknowledged to be a reliable source for agricultural activities in arid and semi-arid regions. An assessment of the suitability of groundwater for agricultural usage was carried out on the Amol–Babol Plain, Iran, where agriculture is the dominant economic activity. Groundwater samples were collected from 154 wells during the wet and dry seasons in 2009. The sodium percentage, sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, magnesium hazard, and Kelly’s ratios were used as indicators for the water quality. Geostatistical technique of ordinary kriging method was used to create spatial distribution maps. The thematic maps of salinity hazard, sodium adsorption ratio, and sodium percentage indicated an increasing trend of concentration from the western and southern areas to the east and north-east of the plain. The maps also show that the groundwater quality decreases gradually from the west and south sides to the north-eastern side. There is also no significant change in seasonal variation of water quality parameters.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adhikary P, Chandrasekharan H, Chakraborty D, Kamble K (2010) Assessment of groundwater pollution in West Delhi, India using geostatistical approach. Environ Monit Assess 167(1–4):599–615. doi:10.1007/s10661-009-1076-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adhikary P, Dash C, Chandrasekharan H, Rajput T, Dubey S (2011) Evaluation of groundwater quality for irrigation and drinking using GIS and geostatistics in a peri-urban area of Delhi, India. Arab J Geosci 1-12. doi:10.1007/s12517-011-0330-7

  • Aghanabati SA (2004) Geology of Iran. Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, Iran

    Google Scholar 

  • Aghazadeh N, Asghari MA (2010) Assessment of Groundwater Quality and its Suitability for Drinking and Agricultural Uses in the Oshnavieh Area, Northwest of Iran. Journal of Environmental Protection 01(01):30–40. doi:10.4236/jep.2010.11005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmadi SH, Sedghamiz A (2007) Geostatistical Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Variations of Groundwater Level. Environ Monit Assess 129:277–294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Taani A (2013) Seasonal variations in water quality of Al-Wehda Dam north of Jordan and water suitability for irrigation in summer. Arab J Geosci 6(4):1131–1140. doi:10.1007/s12517-011-0428-y

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • APHA (2005) standard methods for the examination of water and wastwater. vol (21st ed). American Public Health Association, American Water Workes Association, Water Enviroonment federation, Washigton DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Appelo CA, Postma D (1993) Geochemistry, groundwater and pollution. Balkema, Rotterdam

    Google Scholar 

  • Ayazi MH, Pirasteh S, Arvin A, Pradhan B, Nikouravan B, Mansor S (2010) Disasters and risk reduction in groundwater: Zagros Mountain Southwest Iran using geoinformatics techniques. Disaster Advances 3(1):51–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Cynthia SAW, Joseph MW, Stephen RY (2000) Characterizing the spatial structure of vegetation communities in the Mojave Desert using geostatistical techniques. Comput Geosci 26:397–410

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delgado C, Pacheco J, Cabrera A, Batllori E, Orellana R, Bautista F (2010) Quality of groundwater for irrigation in tropical karst environment: The case of Yucatán, Mexico. AGR Water Manage 97(10):1423–1433. doi:10.1016/j.agwat.2010.04.006

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doneen LD (1964) Notes on water quality in agriculture. Water Science and Engineering, University of California, Davis

    Google Scholar 

  • Eaton EM (1950) Significance of carbonate in irrigation water. Soil Sci 69:12–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elci A, Polat R (2010) Assessment of the statistical significance of seasonal groundwater quality change in a karstic aquifer system near Izmir-Turkey. Environ Monit Assess 172(1):445–462. doi:10.1007/s10661-010-1346-2

    Google Scholar 

  • Enwright N, Hudak P (2009) Spatial distribution of nitrate and related factors in the high plains aquifer, Texas. Environ Geol 58:1541–1548

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ESRI (2003) Environmental Systems Research Institute, Using ArcGIS geostatistical analyst USA

  • Fakharian K (2010) Hydrogeology report of Amol-Babol plain, Study of prevention, control and reduce pollution of Amol- Babol aquifer. (Persian ed.). Department of Environment of Iran, through a contract with Amirkabir University of Technology

  • FAO (1994) Water quality for agriculture. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Handa BK (1969) Description and classification of media for hydro-geochemical investigations. Paper presented at the In Symposium on ground water studies in arid and semiarid regions, Roorkee

  • Helsel DR, Hirsch RM (2002) Statistical Methods in Water Resources: Techniques of water-resources investigations of the United States Geological Survey. In. USGS

  • Hem JD (1985) Study and interpretation of the chemical characteristics of natural water USGS. Water Supply paper 2254:117–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Jain CK, Bandyopadhyay A, Bhadra A (2010) Assessment of ground water quality for drinking purpose, District Nainital, Uttarakhand, India. Environ Monit Assess 663-676. doi:10.1007/s10661-009-1031-5

  • Jalali M (2007) Salinization of groundwater in arid and semi-arid zones: an example from Tajarak, western Iran. Environ Geol 52(6):1133–1149. doi:10.1007/s00254-006-0551-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jamab (1995) Geological report of the comprehensive water plan of Mazandaran. Jamab Consulting Co

  • Jeong CH (2001) Effect of landuse and urbanization on hydrochemistry contamination of groundwater from Taejon area, Korea. J Hydrol 253:194–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kannel PR, Lee S, Lee Y-S (2008) Assessment of spatial–temporal patterns of surface and ground water qualities and factors influencing management strategy of groundwater system in an urban river corridor of Nepal. J Environ Manage 86(4):595–604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly WP (1940) Permissible composition and concentration of irrigation waters. Proceedings of ASCE

  • Kelly WP (1951) Alkali soils—their formation, properties and reclamation. Reinhold, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Khashogji M, Maghraby MS (2013) Evaluation of groundwater resources for drinking and agricultural purposes, Abar Al Mashi area, south Al Madinah Al Munawarah City, Saudi Arabia. Arab J Geosci 6(10):3929–3942. doi:10.1007/s12517-012-0649-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khodapanah L, Sulaiman WNA, Khodapanah N (2009) Groundwater Quality Assessment for Different Purposes in Eshtehard District, Tehran, Iran. European Journal of Scientific Research 36:543–553

    Google Scholar 

  • Leuangthong O, McLennan JA, Deutsch CV (2004) Minimum acceptance criteria for geostatistical realizations. Natural Resources Research 13:131–141

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manap MA, Nampak H, Pradhan B, Lee S, Sulaiman WNA, Ramli MF (2012) Application of probabilistic-based frequency ratio model in groundwater potential mapping using remote sensing data and GIS. Arab J Geosci: 1–14

  • Manap MA, Sulaiman WNA, Ramli MF, Pradhan B, Surip N (2013) A knowledge-driven GIS modeling technique for groundwater potential mapping at the Upper Langat Basin, Malaysia. Arab J Geosci: 1–17

  • Matheron G (1965) Les variables régionalisées et leur estimation. Masson, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazandaran Meteorology (2010) http://www.mazandaranmet.ir

  • Mehrjardi MZ, Mehrjardi R, Akbarzadeh A (2010) Evaluation of Geostatistical Techniques for Mapping Spatial Distribution of Soil PH, Salinity and Plant Cover Affected by Environmental Factors in Southern Iran. Notulae, Scientia Biologicae: 92–103

  • Nas B, Berktay A (2010) Groundwater quality mapping in urban groundwater using GIS. Environ Monit Assess 160(1–4):215–227. doi:10.1007/s10661-008-0689-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neshat A, Pradhan B, Pirasteh S, Shafri H (2013) Estimating groundwater vulnerability to pollution using a modified DRASTIC model in the Kerman agricultural area, Iran. Environmental Earth Sciences: 1–13. doi:10.1007/s12665-013-2690-7

  • New Zealand S (1998a) Water Quality - Sampling. Part 1: Guidance on the Design of Sampling Programmes, Sampling Techniques and the Preservation and Handling of Samples. Tandards New Zealand, Wellington, New Zealand

    Google Scholar 

  • Nishanthiny CS, Thushyanthy M, Barathithasan T, Saravanan S (2010) Irrigation water quality based on hydro chemical analysis, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. American-Eurasian J Agric & Environ Sci 7(1):100–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Paliwal KV (1967) Effect of gypsum application on the quality of irrigation waters. The Madras Agricultural Journal 59:646–647

    Google Scholar 

  • Pradhan B (2009) Groundwater potential zonation for basaltic watersheds using satellite remote sensing data and GIS techniques. Cent Eur J Geosci 1(1):120–129. doi:10.2478/v10085-009-0008-5

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramesh K, Elango L (2012) Groundwater quality and its suitability for domestic and agricultural use in Tondiar river basin, Tamil Nadu, India. Environ Monit Assess 184(6):3887–3899. doi:10.1007/s10661-011-2231-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ravikumar P, Somashekar R, Angami M (2011) Hydrochemistry and evaluation of groundwater suitability for irrigation and drinking purposes in the Markandeya River basin, Belgaum District, Karnataka State, India. Environ Monit Assess 173(1):459–487. doi:10.1007/s10661-010-1399-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards LA (1954) Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkaline soils. US Department of Agriculture hand book, US Salinity Laboratory

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadashivaiah C, Ramakrishnaiah C, Ranganna G (2008) Hydrochemical analysis and evaluation of groundwater quality in Tumkur Taluk, Karnataka State, India. IJERPH 5(3):158–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sajil Kumar PJ, Jegathambal P, James EJ (2011) Multivariate and geostatistical analysis of groundwater quality in Palar river basin. International Journal of Geology 5(4):108–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Shahbazi A, Esmaeli-Sar A (2009) Groundwater quality assessment in nirth of Iran: a case study of the Mazandaran province. World Sciences Journal 5:92–97 ((environment))

    Google Scholar 

  • Simsek C, Gunduz O (2007) IWQ Index: A GIS-Integrated Technique to Assess Irrigation Water Quality. Environ Monit Assess 128(1):277–300. doi:10.1007/s10661-006-9312-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Todd DK (1959) Groundwater hydrology. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Uyan M, Cay T (2010) Geostatistical Methods for Mapping Groundwater Nitrate Concentration, 2010, Paper presented at the 3rd International Conference on Cartography and GIS 15–20 June, 2010. Nessebar, Bulgaria

    Google Scholar 

  • Vasanthavigar M, Srinivasamoorthy K, Rajiv Ganthi R, Vijayaraghavan K, Sarma VS (2012) Characterisation and quality assessment of groundwater with a special emphasis on irrigation utility: Thirumanimuttar sub-basin, Tamil Nadu, India. Arab J Geosci 5(2):245–258. doi:10.1007/s12517-010-0190-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walton WC (1970) Groundwater resources evaluation. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilcox LV (1955) Classification and use of irrigation waters USDA Circular No. 969

  • Wilcox LV (1995) Classif ication and use of irrigation waters. US Department of Agricultur, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuane JD (1990) Drinking water quality: Standards and control. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the Soil and Water Pollution Bureau of the Department of the Environment (DOE) in Iran for their financial support through a contract with Amirkabir University of Technology (AUT), Tehran, Iran. The financial support by DOE and the laboratory data and analyses provided by AUT are gratefully acknowledged. Special thanks are due to Mr. A. S. Mohammadlou for his sincere cooperation in providing the data.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Tahoora Sheikhy Narany, Mohammad Firuz Ramli, Ahmad Zaharin Aris & Wan Nor Azmin Sulaiman

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

    Kazem Fakharian

Authors
  1. Tahoora Sheikhy Narany
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohammad Firuz Ramli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Ahmad Zaharin Aris
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Wan Nor Azmin Sulaiman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Kazem Fakharian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohammad Firuz Ramli.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Sheikhy Narany, T., Ramli, M.F., Aris, A.Z. et al. Groundwater irrigation quality mapping using geostatistical techniques in Amol–Babol Plain, Iran. Arab J Geosci 8, 961–976 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1271-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1271-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation