Showing 2384 results for Type of Study: Research
E. Taheri, F. Mousavi, H. Karami,
Volume 27, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
One of the basic steps in water resources management and planning according to population increase and lack of water resources in Iran is to optimize the use of dam reservoirs. In this research, the effect of meteorological droughts on the optimization of the Aydoghmoush dam reservoir in the northwest of Iran was evaluated by applying metaheuristic algorithms under the impact of future climate change. Three models and two scenarios of SSP2-4.5 and SSP2-8.5 of the sixth IPCC report, and the LARS-WG downscaling model were used for Aydoghmoush dam weather station for the base period (1978-2014) and future periods of 2022-2040 and 2070-2100. The inflow and outflow of the dam, as well as the optimal utilization of the dam reservoir, were evaluated using standalone, and hybrid mode of genetic, slime mold, and ant colony algorithms. Results of the best release scenario (SSP2-8.5) showed that the annual rainfall in the future periods will decrease by 8.9 mm, and 14.5 mm, respectively, compared to the base period. The objective function of optimizing the use of the dam reservoir was defined as minimizing the sum of squared relative deficiencies in each month and maximizing the reliability in the statistical period of 2011-2021. The results showed that in terms of time reliability, vulnerability, and stability, the hybrid slime mold-genetic algorithm was better than other algorithms with values of 0.73, 0.32, and 28.78. Prediction of the dam's inflow and outflow using the hybrid slime mold-genetic algorithm indicated high accuracy compared to other models by 13% and 19% errors, respectively.
A.r. Tavakoli, M. Basirat,
Volume 27, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Shifting of surface irrigation to drip system is key tool to reduce water saving. Due to the soil moisture profile variation of the drip irrigation; water distributed of the root zone is not uniform. Moreover, moisture deficit and inefficient fertilizing in drip system due to unavailability in deeper layers of soils is one of the disadvantages of drip system in pistachio orchards with depth root systems. An experiment was carried out by adjusted subsurface drip irrigation (SSDIadj) system in pistachio of Damghan region (Semnan province) in a randomized complete block design with split plot arrangement in three replications for three years. The potassium fertilizer amounts (Fertigation) at three levels (50, 70, and 100% of requirement) were considered as the main plot and the design of conductor tubes of the SSDIadj system in seven levels as sub plots. The irrigation guide tubes were arranged for sand tube irrigation in (control), 40-40-40-40, 40-40- 50-50, 40-40-60-60, 40-40-50-60, 40-40-50-70, and 40-40-50-80. Meteorological data from the nearest meteorological station was collected and analyzed. Yield, water consumption, irrigation water productivity index and growth conditions of ShahPasand pistachio cultivar were determined in different treatments. Data were analyzed using Genstat-12 software and based on the analysis of surplus costs and aerial data, the best treatment including combination of potassium fertilizer and arranged tubes of SSDIadj system was determined. The recommended treatments are including of full irrigation, full potassium fertilizer and guide tubes 40-40-50-70 and or 40-40-50-80. The treatments with stratified conductive tubes in the optimal distribution of water, improving productivity and reducing inefficient consumption water. In addition, there are no restrictions on subsurface irrigation such as root accumulation, root penetration into pores of drippers and as well as accumulation of salts.
F. Ahmadzadeh Kaleibar, M. Fuladipanah,
Volume 27, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Using transfer functions to predict soil moisture parameters has been considered strictly a scientific and economical method among researchers. In this research, field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point (PWP) of soil were predicted using classic regression (linear and non-linear), support vector machine (SVM) algorithm, and gene programming expression (GEP) algorithm based on three performance assessment criteria as determination of coefficient (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and standardized developed discrepancy Ratio (DDR) in the Arasbaran plain in the northwest of Iran. Independent parameters were determined as clay percent (Cl), silt percent (Si), gravel percent (Sa), organic carbon (OC), bulk density (ρb), and actual density (ρs) which (S, ρb, ρs) and (ρb, ρs) were opted to predict FC and PWP using Gamma test, respectively. The results showed that each three transfer functions are capable to simulate FC and PWP parameters but the SVM algorithm is the superior predictor among the three functions so the values of (R2, RMSE, and DDRmax) of training and testing phases for FC were obtained (0.9908, 0.5517, 17.50), (0.9785, 0.7004, 11.62) and those of PWP were calculated (0.9782, 0.5764, 2.85) and (0.8389, 1.187, 3.09), respectively.
D. Khatibi Roudbarsara, A. Khaledi Darvishan, J. Alavi,
Volume 27, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Soil erosion followed by sediment production is the most important phenomenon that causes soil and environment degradation in many areas and is increasing. Sediment fingerprinting is a method to identify sediment sources and determine the contribution of each source to sediment production. The present research was carried out to evaluate the relative erosion sensitivity of lithological units and to determine the contribution of each unit in bed sediment production using geochemical properties in the Vaz River located in Mazandaran province. The 33 soil samples were taken from the whole watershed and one sediment sample at the outlet of the watershed. Then, five tracers of B, Al, Sc, Mo, and Sn were selected as the optimal combination using three statistical tests range tests, Kruskal-Wallis, and discriminant function analysis. Finally, using optimal tracers and a combined multivariate model, the contribution of lithological units with very high (A), high (B), medium to high (C), and medium (D) sensitivity in bed sediment production were obtained using FingerPro statistical package and R software. The results showed that the contribution of lithological units with very high (A), high (B), medium to high (C), and medium (D) sensitivity in bed sediment production were 24.23, 50.77, 15.62, and 9.36%, respectively. Then, the specific contribution of each sensitivity class was also calculated to remove the effect of area on the results. The Qal lithological unit including the Quaternary sediments in the river bed and banks with very high sensitivity to erosion (A) and a specific contribution of 0.0807 % per hectare had the maximum contribution in bed sediment production in Vaz River.
A. Nasseri,
Volume 27, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
The selection of precision value for Roughness coefficient (RC) is necessary to design and utilize earth canals due to the vast distribution of Echinocola crus-galli in earth canals. Therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate roughness coefficients in earth canals with Echinocola crus-galli at the Moghan plain (in the North-west of Iran). In the network of Moghan, 42 canal sections were selected to measure vegetation density and wet weight, water flow velocity (with a flow meter), and canal cross sections (with profilimetery devices). The hydraulic characteristics were estimated after water depth measurements. The Manning roughness coefficient (n) was applied to estimate the roughness coefficient. Path analysis was applied to identify the factors affecting the roughness coefficient. Multivariate cluster analysis using Ward's method and squared Euclidean distance was applied to cluster factors affecting the roughness coefficient in canals. The results revealed that RC averaged 0.015. The path analysis showed that the wetted perimeter, crop biomass, flow cross-sectional area, flow velocity, and hydraulic radius had the highest total effect on the roughness coefficient, respectively. The factors clustering showed that two clusters were obtained in the Euclidean distance of 11. The first cluster included flow velocity, crop biomass, flow rate, and bed slope; and the second cluster included flow cross-sectional area, wetted perimeter, and hydraulic radius. The findings could be helpful for designing and operating canals in the studied or similar regions.
A. Shahnazari, S. Sadeghi,
Volume 27, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
In the present paper, crop pattern criteria have been evaluated relying on sustainable development to increase agricultural water productivity. Seven criteria were selected as the main environmental and economic criteria and were prioritized and reviewed for important and strategic products in the Tajan catchment of Mazandaran province. Criteria prioritization was done using optimization through a genetic algorithm with an objective function based on sustainable development. Then, physical and economic productivity indices were calculated to determine the productivity value. Based on the results, in the selection of the crop pattern, firstly, the category of economic criteria and finally the category of environmental criteria have been given attention to the farmers in the current situation. But in the genetic optimization algorithm, all priorities have a similar order from the environmental point of view and then from the economic point of view although each product has its order of criteria. By this prioritization, the parameters of the cultivated area, the volume of water consumed, and the amount of chemical fertilizers have decreased on average by 26%, 34%, and 21%, respectively, and the parameters of product performance and profitability have increased by 43% and 61%, respectively. In addition to providing environmental standards and increasing sustainable development, this prioritization causes an average increase in physical productivity by 84% and an increase in economic productivity by 72%.
Y. Gateazadeh, H.a. Kashkuli, D. Khodadadi Dehkordi, A. Mokhtaran, A. Assareh,
Volume 27, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
To monitor and compare the changes of salts in the soil profile around the roots of the corn plant, the plant yield, and the productivity of corn water, an Experimental was conducted in a completely randomized block of three repetitions in two crop years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 at Ahvaz Agricultural Research Station. Experimental treatments included two subsurface drip irrigation systems with a working depth of 30 cm from the soil surface and tape irrigation and two irrigation intervals of 2 and 4 days. The results of monitoring soil solutes obtained from sampling depths (0-25, 25-50, and 75-50 cm) showed that soil salinity in the second year in both systems as a result of improving the quality of irrigation water from 3.61 dS/m to 2.01 dS/m, it was reduced by two times. The results of soil salinity monitoring showed the highest ratio of salinity reduction with a 2-day irrigation interval in both irrigation systems. The most leaching was done at the irrigation depth of 25-50 cm in the subsurface drip irrigation system and at the depth of 0-25 cm in the tape system. The highest yield of corn dry fodder was 9.13 and 7.13 tons per hectare, respectively, and the best water efficiency based on dry corn fodder at the rate of 13.74 kg/m was obtained in the strip drip irrigation system (tape) with a two-day irrigation interval and in the second crop year. Also, the results of the soil salinity measurement showed that the implementation and exploitation of the drip irrigation system can be the basis for improving the quality of the soil as the most important non-renewable resource of agriculture.
H. Asakereh, A. Shahbaee Kotenaee,
Volume 27, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
Identifying the behavior of precipitation is one of the most important planning principles related to water resources. In this research, an attempt was made to analyze the trend of time changes in extreme rainfall profiles of the country by using the daily rainfall data of 3423 synoptic, climatology, and rain gauge stations for the period from 1970 to 2016 and by performing interpolation using the kriging method. Then, using percentile profiles (percentile less than 10, less than 25, 25 to 75, 75 to 90, and above 90) and regression analysis, changes in the frequency of member days of each of the percentile methods over time were calculated and mapped. The results showed that during the studied period, 86.6% of cells associated with days with the tenth percentile or less in the country had an increasing trend. On the other hand, the pixels associated with days with the 90th percentile and more have shown an increasing trend. Considering that the pixels with the 25th, 25th-75th percentiles (normal), and 75th percentile have shown a decreasing trend in terms of the number of days in their group, it can be concluded that the country's rainfall conditions and the days with rainfall are towards the limit values has moved and the possibility of drought or destructive floods has increased in the country.
M. Eskandari, M. Heidarnejad, A. Egdernezhad,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
The formation of vortices behind the gates of diversion dams is an operational challenge. Such vortices lead to vibration and corrosion in the gate, reducing the lifetime and raising the operational cost of the dam. This study investigated these vortices and their formation. It was found that the gate or cutoff wall was not the only explanation for the vortices; the closed side gates also contribute to vortex formation. Furthermore, an increase in the gate width reduced vorticity; the vortex size experienced a 200% reduction as the gate size increased by 200%. The cutoff wall diameter was another determinant. An increase in the cutoff wall diameter raised vorticity. The vortices increased by 50% as the wall diameter increased by 150%.
N. Pourabdollah, M. Heidarpour, Jahangir Abedi-Koupai,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Hydraulic jump is used for dissipation of kinetic energy downstream of hydraulic structures such as spillways, chutes, and gates. In the present study, the experimental measurements and numerical simulation of the free hydraulic jump by applying Flow-3D software in six different conditions of adverse slope, roughness, and positive step were compared. It should be noted that two turbulence models including k-ε and RNG were used for numerical simulation. Based on the results, simulation accuracy using the RNG model was more than the k-ε model. The statistical indices of NRMSE, ME, NS, and R2 for comparing the water surface profile were obtained at 34.3, 0.0052, 0.995, and 983 for the application of the RNG model, respectively. Also, using the RNG model, the values of these indices for the velocity profile were obtained at 14.92, 0.127, 0.9982, and 962, respectively. In general, the error of the simulated water surface and velocity profile were obtained at 5.31 and 12.4 percent, respectively. Moreover, the maximum error of the numerical simulation results of D2/D1, Lj/D2, and Lr/D1 was ±12, ±12, and 16%, respectively. Therefore, the use of Flow-3D software with the application of the RNG turbulence model is recommended for numerical simulation of the hydraulic jump in different situations.
F. Meskini-Vishkaee, A.r. Jafarnejhadi, M. Goosheh, B. Delsooz Khaki, M. Javadzadeh,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
One of the most common approaches for farm irrigation management is using soil readily available water and allowable depletion coefficient. The objective of this study was to determine wheat crop response coefficients, critical moisture content, and soil allowable depletion coefficient using a physically based method in three dominant soils under wheat cultivation in Khuzestan province. Treatments included full irrigation and water stress at three levels low, moderate, and high. The highest and lowest values of wheat crop response coefficient were related to silty clay loam (Ky=1.26) and clay loam (Ky=0.96), respectively. Critical soil moisture content was observed in loam soil (0.25 cm3cm-3)> silty clay loam (0.23 cm3cm-3)> clay loam (0.22 cm3cm-3), respectively. Despite the higher critical moisture content in loam, the most soil allowable depletion coefficient was also calculated in loam (0.54). Soil allowable depletion coefficient in silty clay loam and clay loam were 0.44 and 0.42, respectively. The results confirmed the simultaneous effects of soil and plant properties on the availability of soil water for the plants.
S. Azadi, H. Nozari, S. Marofi, B. Ghanbarian,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
One of the strategies for agricultural development is the optimal use of irrigation and drainage networks, which will lead to higher productivity and environmental protection. The present study used the system dynamics approach to develop a model for simulating the cultivated area of the Shahid Chamran irrigation and drainage network located in Khuzestan province by considering environmental issues. Limit test and sensitivity analysis were used for model validation. The results showed the proper performance of the model and the logical relationship between its parameters. Also, the cropping pattern of the network was determined in two modes of non-stepwise and stepwise changes to determine the optimal cultivated area of the Shahid Chamran network with environmental objectives and minimize the amount of salt from drains. The results showed that the amount of optimized output salt from the network has decreased in both non-stepwise and stepwise changes compared to the existing situation in the region. The total output salt in the current situation, from 2013 to 2017, was obtained at 2799, 2649, 2749, 2298, and 2004 tons.day-1, respectively, in the stepwise changes, are 2739, 2546, 2644, 2223, and 1952 tons.day-1, and finally, in the non-stepwise changes, are 2363, 2309, 2481, 2151, and 1912 tons.day-1. The results showed that the non-stepwise changes due to considered limitations have been more successful in reducing output salt than the stepwise changes. The analysis of the results showed the model's success in optimizing and achieving the desired goals. The results showed that the present model has good accuracy in simulating and optimizing the irrigation network, cropping pattern, and defining other scenarios.
M. Mehri, M. Hashemy, S. Javadi, M. Movahedinia,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Rapid urbanization is responsible for impervious area increases and more runoff generation in urbanized catchments. Higher runoff volume in urbanized catchments leads to higher flood risk. One of the methods of runoff management is low impact development (LID). Bio-retention cell (BRC) is one of the infiltration-based LID practices that allows restoring the pre-development hydrologic cycle. However, the overall hydrologic performance of BRCs can vary depending on different urban environments. In this study, the hydrologic performance of BRC in terms of runoff and flood reduction was investigated in a highly urbanized area in the east of Tehran, Iran. The SWMM model was used to evaluate the performance of BRC. The results showed that BRC for rainfall with a return period of 2 to 50 years reduced the total runoff volume by 76.2% to 70.2% and the peak discharge by 65.9% to 36.4%, respectively. Also, for rainfall with a return period of 2 to 50 years, BRC resulted in 15.2% to 27.5% infiltration of rainfall in the study area, respectively. This study demonstrates that BRC can help restore the natural hydrologic cycle of urbanized catchments by reducing runoff and increasing infiltration.
A.r. Vaezi, S. Rezaeipour, M. Babaakbari, F. Azarifam,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Improving soil physical properties and increasing water retention in the soil are management strategies in soil and water conservation and enhancing crop yield in rainfed lands. This study was conducted to investigate the role of tillage direction and wheat stubble mulch level in improving soil physical properties in rainfed land in Zanjan province. A field experiment was done at two tillage directions: up to the downslope and contour line, and five stubble mulch levels: zero, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of land cover equal to 6 tons per hectare. A total of 30 plots (2 m×5 m) were created. The results indicated that water infiltration and water content were considerably affected by tillage direction, whereas its effect on water holding capacity was not significant. This physical property of the soil was influenced by the inherent properties of the soil, including particle size distribution. The change of up to down tillage direction to the contour line increased soil infiltration to 11% and water content to 6%. The physical soil properties were wholly influenced by mulch consumption. Soil water content increased in mulch treatments along with water holding capacity and infiltration rate. The highest volumetric water content was at 100% mulch level (10.62%) which was 11% more than the control treatment. However, there was no significant difference between 100% and 75% mulch treatment. This revealed that the application of 75% stubble mulch in contouring tillage is a substantial strategy for improving soil physical properties and controlling water loss in rainfed lands of semi-arid regions.
E. Mirzakhani, H.r. Motaghian, A.r. Hosseinpur,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
In addition to the distribution of elements in the soil solid phase, element species in the solution are also very important due to their importance of providing elements for root uptake. For a deeper study of the chemical cycle of elements in saline soils treated with biochar, the study of speciation is very useful and provides a method to reduce or transform the toxicity caused by toxic elements in saline soils. Therefore, to investigate the effect of biochar on Cd speciation in two saline calcareous soils, 15 mg kg-1 Cd as cadmium chloride was added to the soil sample (200 g), and the soils were incubated for three weeks at 25±2 °C at 80% field capacity. After the incubation period, salinity levels of 20 and 40 mmol kg-1 as sodium chloride (equal to 3.65 and 7.30 dS m-1) were added to the soils. Then, the 1% (w/w) of the sugarcane bagasse and biochars produced at 400 and 600 °C were added to the soils, and then incubated for three months at 25±2 °C at 80% field capacity. At the end of the incubation period, for the speciation of Cd in the soil solution (in a 1 to 2 ratio), the concentration of dissolved cations and anions in the soil samples was measured. The results showed that the interaction between salinity, biochar, and soil on Cd2+, CdCl+, CdCl20, and Cd(SO4)22- was significant. The application of biochar in sandy soil reduced (p <0.05) the concentration of CdCl+, CdCl20, CdSO40, and CdOH+ species compared to the control soil, while it did not affect clay soil. Also, salinity caused by sodium chloride in sandy soil increased the concentration of CdCl+ and CdCl20 species and decreased CdSO40 and CdOH+ species compared to the control soil (p <0.05). The results showed that biochar in saline sandy soil was more effective than clay soil in reducing Cd toxicity.
S. Afshari, H. Yazdian, A. Rezaei,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Awareness of the types of vegetation changes and human activities in different parts has particular importance as basic information for different planning. It is very difficult and expensive to collect information about the continuous changes in vegetation cover by conventional methods. Therefore, the use of new technologies such as remote sensing is very beneficial. The objective of the present research was to introduce the appropriate vegetation index and determine the vegetation cover of the Abshar network. NDVI, EVI, SAVI, and MSAVI vegetation indices were calculated from 2000 to 2021 every year and monthly in the Google Earth Engine system using Landsat 7 satellite images of the ETM+ sensor. Also, the SPI drought index was calculated using the precipitation statistics of Kohrang station in Excel software. The results of the comparison of four indices showed the superiority and higher performance of NDVI compared to the other three indices for detecting vegetation changes. Then, vegetation changes were calculated. The results showed that the trend of agricultural development in the Abshar network is downward and has a direct relationship with precipitation and the SPI drought index. Also, the results indicated that the SPI drought index was equal to -1.73in 2008, which showed a severe drought in the region. Comparing these results with the vegetation area showed that the vegetation area was 35721 hectares in this year and the year after the drought (2009), the vegetation area was 22950 hectares. Therefore, there was a decrease in precipitation and a sharp decrease in the SPI index in 2008, which led to a sharp decrease of 35% in the vegetation area in 2009.
Miss S. Bandak, A.r. Movhedei Naeani, Ch.b. Komaki, M. Kakooei, J. Verrlest,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Soil organic carbon (SOC) is one of the most important components of soil physical and chemical properties that have an important role in sustainable production in agriculture and preventing soil degradation and erosion. Data mining approaches and spatial modeling besides machine learning techniques to investigate the amount of soil organic carbon using remote sensing data have been widely considered. The objective of the present study was the evaluation of SOC using the remote sensing technique compared with field methods in some areas of the Gonbad Kavous and Neli forests of Azadshar. The soil samples were collected from the soil surface (0-10 cm depth) to estimate the SOC. Data were categorized into two categories: 70% for training and 30% for validation. Three machine learning algorithms including Random forest (RF), support vector machine, extra tree decision, and XGBoost were used to prepare the organic soil carbon map. In the present study, auxiliary variables for predicting SOC included bands related to Lands 8 OLI and sentinel 2 measurement images, topography, and climate. The results showed that the extraction of the components related to the bands along with the calculation of indicators such as normalized vegetation difference, wetness index, and the MrVBF index as auxiliary variables play an important role in more correct estimation of the amount of soil organic matter. Comparison of different estimation regressions showed that the Sentinel 2 random forest model and in Landsat8 with the values of coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MEA) of 0.64, 0.05, and 0.17, respectively, was the best performance ratio compared to other approaches used in the study to estimate the organic carbon content of surface soil in the study area. In general, the results of this study indicated the ability of remote sensing techniques and learning models in the spatial estimation of soil organic carbon. So, this method can be used as an alternative to laboratory methods in determining soil organic carbon.
V. Rahdari, A.r. Soffianian, S. Pormanafi, S. Maleki,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Industrial development is necessary to create employment and achieve welfare. Nevertheless, due to the important environmental effects of these uses, it is necessary to consider the environmental issues in industrial area land allocation. The current research used the multi-criteria evaluation method and the combination with fuzzy concepts to investigate the land capability for industrial development in the Plasjan sub-basin in the Zayandeh-rood river basin. Evaluation criteria were determined by literature reviewing and using experts' knowledge, and standard applying fuzzy method via proportional functions and weighted using the hierarchical method. The combined classification of satellite images prepared the land use and land cover map. Then, the standardized criteria were combined in the form of a weighted linear combination and the industrial development capability model was prepared for this area and classified into five land capability classes. The results showed that environmental considerations have the most weight with 0.23, and geological and soil texture criteria have the least weight with 0.06. According to the results, only 213 hectares of the region were allocated for industrial and mining use at the time of the study. In comparison, 2325 hectares of the region have very high industrial potential which shows the capability for increasing industrial areas. Also, the highest class of land capability was related to areas without the capability for industrial development with an area of 246375 ha, equivalent to 60% of the entire region, which shows the importance of conservation of the important functions of this region in water supply and ecological resources.
M. Naderi Khorasgani, T. Azarbeig, J. Mohammadi,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Soil pollution by heavy metals is a significant issue that threatens human health directly and indirectly. The objectives of this research were to map the extension of some heavy metals in soils of a part of Sirjan Plain, Kerman province, to study the role of natural agents on the distribution of heavy metals, and to assess the risk of soil heavy metal concentration for human health. 120 surficial (0-15 cm) compound soil samples were collected during fieldwork. Soil characteristics like soil texture components, pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, and total soil heavy metal (Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) concentrations were measured using standard protocols. The mapping of soil texture components and heavy metals was done by the usual Kriging method. Results indicated significant correlation coefficients between soil texture components (silt and clay) and total soil Fe and Cu concentrations. Dominant wind direction and spatial distribution of Fe, Cu, and Zn strongly induced the possible dust-born origin of such elements. Results revealed that the sources of Fe, Cu, and Zn were different from those of Cd and Pb. Maximum soil Fe, Cu, and Zn concentrations were in the southern part of the study area, increasing in an upwind direction while for Cd and Pb, maximum soil concentrations were in the northern part of the study area. The Nemerow integrated pollution index revealed that soils were clean for Cd, lowly polluted for Fe, Pb, and Cu, and moderately polluted for Zn.
T. Mohammadi, V. Sheikh, A. Zare, M. Salarijazi,
Volume 27, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
A quantitative study of groundwater resources and accurate monitoring of changes over time, especially in areas facing limited water resources, is considered essential for proper management and sustainable exploitation of these resources. Golestan province, one of the semi-arid provinces of Iran has faced a drop in the groundwater level and an increase in the salinity of the groundwater due to the excessive withdrawals from the groundwater table and the reduction of atmospheric precipitation in the past few years. Gorgan Plain with an area of about 4727 square kilometers is one of the largest plains in Iran and the most important plain of Golestan province in terms of water supply for agricultural and drinking purposes. In this plain, there is a network of piezometers and observation wells that include continuous monthly measurements for more than 30 years. The objective of this research was to investigate the changes in the groundwater level of shallow (30 years (1989-2018)) and deep (22 years (1997-2018)) wells. The Man-Kendall method was used to reveal the trend and Pettitt, Normal Standard, and Buishand methods were used to identify sudden change points in a time series of groundwater levels in 49 shallow wells and 12 deep wells. The results of this research showed that the groundwater level in most of the studied wells had a significantly decreasing trend at a significant level of 5%. Also, the largest amount of groundwater loss was in the southern and southwestern parts of the plain, which can be attributed to a large amount of water taken from the wells due to their proximity to urban areas and some local conditions such as the proximity of the wells of this area are located in altitudes and at the entrance border of the aquifer. In the same way, as it rises, the fall decreases in the middle of the plain, and the amount of fall decreases in the northern areas and the edge of the Caspian Sea. It can be related to the proximity to the Caspian Sea and the high water table, and as a result, the inappropriate quality of water and land (high salinity and low fertility), which has caused the water withdrawal from this area to be less.
