Evaluating the salinity in shallow and deep aquifers of Gorganrood basin, Iran

Increasing groundwater salinity in countries facing water scarcity has raised severe environmental and health concerns. One of the best ways to prevent groundwater pollution is to study groundwater quality's spatial variation and identify vulnerable aquifer areas. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the quality of groundwater in shallow and deep aquifers of the Gorganrood basin. To achieve this goal, values of electrical conductivity OF groundwater in mentioned aquifers were measured in situ for wet and dry periods. According to obtained results, groundwater salinity in shallow aquifer is considerably greater than that in the deep aquifer. Moreover, the salinity of groundwater in both aquifers (shallow aquifer in particular) for the wet period has been diminished compared to that for the dry period. Also, it can be seen that the values of salinity of both aquifers are greater than that of springs,located in the boundary of geological formations and alluvial deposits. Another important thing that may be observed is the role of recharging flows to both shallow and deep aquifers in the southern boundary of the Gorganrood basin, which has decreased the values of salinity of groundwater in this part of mentioned aquifers.

Keywords:

Gorganrood , Salinity , Groundwater , shallow and deep aquifers