JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

In recent years, indirect methods such as remote sensing and data mining have been used to estimate soil salinity. In this research, the electrical conductivity of 94 soil samples from 0 to 100 cm was measured using the Hypercube technique in the Saveh plain. 23 types of input data were used in the form of topographic and spectral categories. Land area parameters such as the Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), Terrain Classification Index (TCI), Stream Power Index (STP), Digital Elevation Model (DEM), and Length of Slope (LS) were considered as topographic inputs using Arc-GIS and SAGA software. Also, salinity spatial and vegetation indices were extracted from Landsat 8 images and were considered spectral inputs. The GMDH neural network was used to model salinity with a ratio of 70% for training and 30% for validation. The results showed that the soil salinity values were between 0.1 and 18 with mean and standard deviation of 5 and 4.7 dS/m, respectively. Also, the results of modeling indicated that the statistical parameters R², MBE, and NRMSE in the training step were 0.80, 0.06, and 42.1%, respectively. The same values in the validation step were 0.79, 0.13, and 48.7%, respectively. Therefore, the application of spectral, topographic, and GMDH neural network indices for modeling soil salinity is effective.

In precision agriculture, a productivity rating system is a significant tool to quantitatively assess soil quality. An experiment was conducted in Bilavar, Kermanshah to evaluate the spatial variability of physical indicators of soil quality of a rapeseed (Brassica napus) field. Spatial variability analysis of soil physical properties measured on a rectangular grid (100 m×100 m) was carried out using a geostatistical analyst extension of Arc-GIS software. Five physical soil quality indicators including bulk density (BD), non-capillary porosity (NCP), field saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), available water retention capacity (AWC), and organic carbon (OC) were determined. The physical rating index (PRI) at each sampling point was determined by multiplying the rating values for all five parameters. Results revealed that major ranges of semivariogram for Ks and AWC varied between 137-145 m and for BD, OC, and NCP they were relatively long (161-205 m). Clay and NCP showed moderate spatial dependence (0.68 and 0.28, respectively) whereas the rest of the parameters showed weak spatial dependence. Also, the correlation between PRI and the biological yield of rapeseed was fairly good (R²=0.68). Investigation of zoning maps of soil physical properties showed an increase in BD and a decrease in AWC and NCP parameters depending on changes in soil texture and organic matter content in some parts of the field. In general, the PRI index is an important tool in the quantitative assessment of soil physical conditions, and based on it and zoning maps can improve the physical quality of soil in agricultural fields.

The ability of remote sensing (RS) in irrigation scheduling has been accepted in the world due to the collection of data on a large scale and the determination of water stress indicators with greater speed and less cost. Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) and Water Deficit Index (WDI) are components of the most recognized water stress indices. Despite the accuracy and precision of the CWSI index that has been proven in plant irrigation scheduling, the lack of complete density of vegetation, especially in the early stages of growth, is one of the most important defects of using this method in crop irrigation scheduling. While estimating the water deficit index using remote sensing technology does not have these limitations. An experiment was performed in the crop year 98-99 in the city of Karaj to check the accuracy of this index. The amount of WDI and CWSI in a wheat field with optimized irrigation management was determined and compared and evaluated using statistical parameters. The results showed that the coefficient of explanation between these two indicators in the months of April, May, and June is 0.77, 0.85, and 0.71, respectively.

Water quality characteristics play a crucial role in water resources management, watershed health assessment, and implementing effective management strategies. The objective of this research was to present an overall assessment of the surface water quality in the Gorganrood River Basin to be utilized for developing effective watershed management plans and programs. Various physicochemical water quality data including main anions and cations, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Electrical Conductivity (EC), Sodium Absorption Ratio (SAR), pH, and total hardness recorded at 25 hydrometric stations across the basin were analyzed and assessed with the Canadian (CCME) Water Quality Index. The mean water quality index for drinking, agriculture, and industrial purposes indicated that headwaters and higher areas generally exhibited better water quality compared to the downstream areas of the basin. Geochemical processes and the introduction of various pollutants during water flow from the headwaters to the basin outlet contribute to a decline in water quality. The highest water quality was observed in the Kabudval and Shirabad stations, whereas the Baghesalian station exhibited the lowest. For drinking water use, hardness, bicarbonate, and chloride were identified as variables contributing to water quality decline in the headwaters and upstream areas. However, these areas predominantly maintained a moderate to good quality for drinking purposes. Conversely, downstream areas experienced a significant deterioration in water quality with higher pollutant levels such as total dissolved solids (TDS), sulfate, and sodium, resulting in relatively poor to poor conditions. Approximately 60% of the stations in the basin had excellent water quality for agricultural use, with no limiting factors. Only three stations near the basin's outlet exhibited relatively poor to poor water quality due to elevated chloride levels, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and electrical conductivity. only 28% of hydrometric stations demonstrated good water quality for industrial use. Hardness, pH, and TDS are the main variables contributing to water quality decline for industrial use in the upstream, while downstream areas are impacted by chloride and sulfate. The outcomes of this study hold significant implications for effective water resources management, watershed preservation, and natural resource conservation in the Gorganrood basin. From industry and especially health aspects, however, more detailed investigations are needed, taking into account some other important variables of water quality (including nitrate, total coliform, fecal coliform, etc.).

Piano key weirs are a type of non-linear weir that have a higher discharge coefficient than similar linear weirs. These hydraulic structures have a lightweight foundation and a simple structure is designed and installed on dams and drainage channels. Due to the high efficiency of these weirs, the investigation of downstream scour and ways to reduce it has been the focus of engineers in recent years. In the present study, a trapezoidal type C piano key weir, three discharges, and three tailwater depths were used. Two obstacles with heights of 0.02 and 0.04 meters were also used at the end of the weir exit keys. The results showed that the presence of an obstacle reduces scour at the toe of the weir. The amount of reduction in scour at the toe of the weir was greater in the weir with a larger obstacle height than in the weir with a smaller obstacle height, and in both cases was less than in the simple weir. The presence of an obstacle reduces the maximum depth of scour and moves the distance of the maximum depth of scour away from the toe of the weir. In the weir with obstacle heights of 0.02 and 0.04 meters, compared to the weir without an obstacle, the amount of maximum scour depth is approximately 16.4% and 26.9% less, and the distance of the maximum scour depth is approximately 8.7% and 19.1% more than the weir without an obstacle. The scour index in weirs with obstacles is less than in weirs without obstacles, which can reduce the risk of weir overturning. The lowest value of the scour index was observed in the weir with an obstacle height of 0.04 meters, which is approximately 41.2% less than the weir without an obstacle.

Drought represents one of the most critical natural disasters, exerting profound impacts on agriculture, society, the economy, and water resources. Various indices are used to monitor drought and its effects. This study aims to monitor drought in the Zayandeh-Rud Basin using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), the Evaporative Demand Drought Index (EDDI), the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), and the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI). All these indices are based on potential evapotranspiration, incorporating parameters such as precipitation, temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and sunshine duration. These five indices were calculated and evaluated during the statistical period of 1993–2023 for meteorological stations in Isfahan, East Isfahan, Kabootarabad, Daran, Shahreza, Najafabad, and Mobarakeh. After calculating the indices and using spatial zoning maps, the studied stations were compared in terms of these indices. The continuity of dry and wet periods, as well as the intensity of droughts and wet spells, was analyzed. Subsequently, drought intensities during different years in these stations were ranked using the TOPSIS model based on factors such as precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, and station elevation. The results showed that in stations with a dry climate (such as Isfahan, East Isfahan, and Shahreza), drought occurrences (as indicated by higher rankings) have been consecutive over multiple years. Comparing the performance of the indices in the studied stations using spatial zoning maps revealed that the intensity of droughts and wet spells in regions with dry and semi-dry climates was not very significant. However, in areas with humid climates, the fluctuations in drought and wet spell intensities were quite substantial. The findings indicate that the PDSI and EDDI indices are more suitable for evaluating drought in dry climates.

The issue of water scarcity or the limited availability of water resources, including concepts such as water stress, water shortage, and water crisis, is investigated in this study. Water stress refers to problems related to access to freshwater resources, particularly due to the excessive withdrawal of surface and groundwater. A water crisis describes a situation where the available clean and safe drinking water in a specific region is insufficient to meet demand. Factors like drought, reduced rainfall, and pollution can exacerbate water stress. Water shortage arises from reasons such as the inability to meet demand, economic competition over water quality and quantity, conflicts among users, the irreversible depletion of groundwater resources, and negative environmental impacts. This study provides an index to assess water stress for spatial analysis in the study area and analyzes relevant data by collecting information from various sources. This index utilizes both static and dynamic parameters to estimate drought and better depict water stress conditions. Static parameters include land use, slope, and soil type. Dynamic parameters include precipitation, temperature, and groundwater level. Kashan County was selected as the case study due to the continuous reduction in water resources. The results showed that in the water years 2005, 2014, 2020, and 2021, Kashan experienced the highest level of water stress, while in the water years 2002, 2004, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2015, it experienced the lowest level of water stress.

In this research, drinking water quality was investigated using acceptability, health, and nutrition-based indicators from 2010 to 2022 in Shiraz City (Fars province). Magnesium, fluoride, and calcium play a significant role in the contribution of drinking water in Shiraz City to the intake of dietary minerals. The acceptability water quality index (AWQI), health-based water quality index (HWQI), and drinking water quality index (DWQI) rankings in Shiraz City are excellent, but the average drinking water nutritional quality index (DWNQI) of Shiraz City is 77.52 ± 5.47, which falls within the good ranking. Therefore, while the conventional water quality indices (AWQI, HWQI, and DWQI) are excellent, the DWNQI index does not achieve an excellent rating, due to the inclusion of the nutritional value of water in the DWNQI index. In general, the trend of AWQI, HWQI, DWQI, and DWNQI over thirteen years in Shiraz City shows that the conventional drinking water quality indices (AWQI, HWQI, and DWQI) do not provide an accurate picture of the assessment of drinking water quality in many cases, as they do not consider the nutritional role of water. For this reason, water is sometimes treated more than necessary. Therefore, it is essential to revise the interpretation of drinking water quality using the DWNQI index to gain a comprehensive picture of drinking water quality.