Reclaiming sandplain seeps by intercepting perched groundwater with eucalypts

At a sandplain seep at East Belka in the Western Australian Wheatbelt, saline groundwater discharge occurs from a shallow (approx. 2 m) perched aquifer of moderate permeability (0.15 m day⁻¹). Groundwater qualities range from over 2,500 mS m⁻¹ in the saline area, to between 660 and 1,700 mS m⁻¹ in the plantation. In 1986 five varieties of eucalypts (E. globulus, E. cladocalyx var. nana and three provenances of E. camaldulensis) were planted across the contour upslope from the seep on about 1.0 per cent of the catchment. By 1989 the seedlings had grown to heights of up to 6.5 m. Despite above-average rainfall over the study period, perched water-tables under the plantation and seep were progressively lowered (approx. 0.5-1.0 m) until the area was dry at the start of the 1989-1990 summer. Wheat (Triticum aestivum) established on the seep and adjacent paddock in May 1989, provided a yield of over 1.0 t ha⁻¹ on a site that had been unproductive for 20 years. The method has the potential to reclaim much of the existing eastern and northern wheatbelt where there are salinity problems caused by perched groundwater, and could prevent recharge of the regional aquifer beneath the sandplain seep. However, additional techniques will be required to prevent deep aquifer discharge caused by steadily rising (approx. 0.15 m yr⁻¹) regional water-tables. Discharge and associated dryland salinity from the regional system are expected to be major problems during the next 40 years at the site investigated.     

The Role of Leaky Boreholes in the Contamination of a Regional Confined Aquifer. A Case Study: The Campo de Cartagena Region, Spain

Poorly constructed wells (leaky or without a gravel pack) and abandoned wells can behave as conduits for the interconnection of aquifers at different depths and facilitate the transfer of contaminants between these aquifers. This is the case with Campo de Cartagena (SE Spain) where the primary land use is intensive irrigated agriculture, along with a high density of wells. The unconfined aquifer is heavily impacted by a high concentration of nitrate associated with agricultural activities. The present work provides a methodological approach to evaluate the impact of the unconfined aquifer on the water quality of the confined aquifer caused by leaky wells in high-density areas of production wells. The research approach included the use of geochemical and isotopic tools; specifically, nitrate was used as a tracer for evaluating the impact, and the code MIX_PROGRAM was used for mixing calculations. Results show an increase of the impact of the unconfined aquifer on the confined aquifer along the groundwater flow direction toward the coast, although this general pattern is controlled by local factors (pumping, intensity of agricultural practices, density of wells, and groundwater residence time).     

红崖山灌区机井空间布局适宜性评价

灌区机井空间布局的适宜性评价对于地下水的合理开采与机井的布局优化具有重要作用。该文选择石羊河流域红崖山灌区为研究区,提取土地资源利用类型、地下水埋深、含水层厚度、单井出水量和地下水矿化度等影响因素作为机井空间布局的适宜性评价指标,根据影响因子属性的空间变异性,将灌区划分为366个评价单元,并采用熵权法确定各指标的权值和区域的综合评价值。结果表明,红崖山灌区机井的空间布局受地下水埋深和单井出水量的影响较大;研究区不适宜、不太适宜、一般、较适宜和适宜布井的面积比例分别为19.33%、24.33%、46.61%、7.33%和2.40%,较适宜和适宜布井的面积比例较小。研究结果为灌区机井空间布局提供了一定的理论依据。     

Review of Groundwater Pollution and Protection in Karst Areas

Karst groundwater (the water in a karst aquifer) is a major water resource in many regions of some countries. Water requirements for most of the settlements in the karstic regions are supplied from karst aquifers. Karst environments are also used for the disposal of liquid and solid domestic agricultural, and industrial wastes, which result in karst groundwater pollution. Karst aquifers have specific hydraulic and hydrogeologic characteristics that render them highly vulnerable to pollution from human activities. Karst groundwater becomes polluted more easily and in shorter time periods than water in non-karstic aquifers. Thus, protection measures are required to preserve the quality and quantity of karst groundwater that specifically consider the vulnerability of the karst environment. In order to preserve karst groundwater, the geological, hydrological and hydrogeological characteristics of the karst area must be investigated and information on polluting activities and sources must be collected. Then, a comprehensive protection and control system must be developed consisting of the following six components: (1) develop and implement a groundwater monitoring system, (2) establish critical protection zones, (3) develop proper land use strategies, (4) determine the reasonable development capacity of the karst aquifer, (5) control and eliminate when necessary sources of pollution, (6) increase public awareness of the value and vulnerability of karst aquifers.     

Productivity enhancement of salt‐affected environments through crop diversification

Recent trends and future demographic projections suggest that the need to produce more food and fibre will necessitate effective utilization of salt‐affected land and saline water resources. Currently at least 20 per cent of the world's irrigated land is salt affected and/or irrigated with waters containing elevated levels of salts. Several major irrigation schemes have suffered from the problems of salinity and sodicity, reducing their agricultural productivity and sustainability. Productivity enhancement of salt‐affected land and saline water resources through crop‐based management has the potential to transform them from environmental burdens into economic opportunities. Research efforts have led to the identification of a number of field crops, forage grasses and shrubs, aromatic and medicinal species, bio‐fuel crops, and fruit tree and agroforestry systems, which are profitable and suit a variety of salt‐affected environments. Several of these species have agricultural significance in terms of their local utilization on the farm. Therefore, crop diversification systems based on salt‐tolerant plant species are likely to be the key to future agricultural and economic growth in regions where salt‐affected soils exist, saline drainage waters are generated, and/or saline aquifers are pumped for irrigation. However, such systems will need to consider three issues: improving the productivity per unit of salt‐affected land and saline water resources, protecting the environment and involving farmers in the most suitable and sustainable crop diversifying systems to mitigate any perceived risks. This review covers different aspects of salt‐affected land and saline water resources, synthesizes research knowledge on salinity/sodicity tolerances in different plant species, and highlights promising examples of crop diversification and management to improve and maximize benefits from these resources. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

四川省简阳市地下水水化学特征及灌溉适宜性

[目的]对四川省简阳市地下水水化学特征与灌溉适宜性进行分析和评价,为合理开发该区地下水资源提供科学依据。[方法]利用Gibbs图、离子比值系数及多种统计分析方法,研究其浅表层与中深层地下水水化学特征,并将熵权理论与模糊物元法相结合,借助Matlab建立基于熵权的模糊物元模型,对地下水水质进行综合评价。[结果]研究区浅表层主要分布淡水,中深层主要为微咸水,由浅至深地下水水化学类型由HCO+3-Ca,HCO+3-Ca·Mg型转化为HCO_3-NaCa,HCO_3·SO_4~-Ca-Mg,SO_4-Na·Ca型。研究区地下水水化学成分主要受控于岩石风化作用,主要受岩盐、方解石、石膏、硅酸盐矿物的溶解及阳离子交替吸附作用的影响。浅表层地下水受人类活动影响比较明显;中深层地下水受深层盐卤水越流混合作用影响较明显。[结论]研究区浅表层地下水水质良好,适宜用做灌溉水源,由浅至深,地下水水质逐渐变差,中深层地下水不宜长期用于农业灌溉。     

Areal identification of groundwater nitrate contamination sources in periurban areas

Background, Aims and Scope  The purpose of this study is to verify a method for groundwater contamination risk assessment in urban and periurban areas using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The method is based on agricultural hazard evaluation. In urban and periurban areas, the problem of dealing with NO₃ concentrations mainly entails identifying nitrate sources from the excessive use of fertilizers, or leaks from the sewage network and old septic systems. Residential areas coexisting with farming, and high and increasing nitrate concentrations, were identified in a densely inhabited area (>2 million inhabitants in about 1,000 km²) with an alluvial aquifer, located in southern Italy. Methods  First of all, comparison between the Contamination Vulnerability Map and the distribution of NO₃ concentrations highlights anomalous areas with low or moderate vulnerability in spite of the diffuse nitrate contamination of the aquifer. Assuming the agricultural origin of the nitrates, the hazard is calculated using the ANHI (Agricultural Nitrate Hazard Index), a parametric index which assesses the potential hazard of nitrate contamination originating from agriculture on a regional scale (Padovani and Trevisan 2002). The ANHI integrates two categories of parameters: the hazard factors (HF), which represent all farming activities that cause, or might cause, an impact on soil quality in terms of nitrate (use of fertilizers, application of livestock and poultry manure, food industry wastewater and urban sludge), and the control factors (CF) which adapt the hazard factors to the characteristics of the site (geographical location, climatic conditions and agronomic practices). Organization, processing and mapping are performed using a Geographical Information System (GIS: ILWIS 3.3 and ARCGIS 9.1). Results  The ANHI Map is obtained by multiplying the hazard factors (HF) and the control factors (CF), and dividing the resulting values into 6 classes. Finally, the Potential risk Map (R) is obtained by coupling the potential hazard of nitrate pollution (ANHI) and the aquifer Contamination Vulnerability Map. Discussion  By using spatial statistics, the Potential Agricultural Nitrate Contamination Risk Map and the Nitrate content of the aquifer correlation can be correlated. Where areas with low correlation in the Land Use Map are in the ‘urban areas and artificial land’ class, the source of the groundwater nitrate is not necessarily related to intensive farming and livestock. Conclusions  The Potential Agricultural Nitrate Contamination Risk Map in urban and periurban environments indicates the relationship between the high nitrate values and land use, giving useful information about the source of nitrate in groundwater. Recommendations and Perspectives  Based on this study, we formulate a hypothesis on the source of groundwater nitrate which should be verified on several case studies using nitrogen isotope techniques.     

A Case of Hydrochemical Characterization of an Alluvial Aquifer Influenced by Human Activities

21 physico-chemical parameters have been determined in 47 groundwater samples collected in October 1994 from the alluvial aquifer of the Pisuerga river, located at the north-east of Valladolid (north-western Spain). Conventional hydrochemical methods and multivariate statistical analysis have been used to discriminate natural phenomena and pollution processes in the area. It has been demonstrated the existence of a heterogeneity in groundwater mineral contents related to anthropic actions such as irrigation, source of irrigation water and location of polluting sources. This study demonstrates the existence of two sub-units in the alluvial aquifer (left and right river banks) with different hydrochemical characteristics, and identifies three different singular areas in the left bank. Groundwater from this bank showed higher levels of dissolved ions caused by concentration processes derived from the predominant use of groundwater for crop irrigation, whilst in the right bank of the aquifer less saline water from canals is used. Degradation of groundwater quality has been observed in some areas of the left aquifer sub-unit (north, Santovenia and south-central sites) where anomalous high concentrations of sulphate, sodium, chloride and nitrate were measured, and can be related to the presence of potentially polluting sources such as leachates from industrial waste disposals, sewage effluents and use of organic and inorganic fertilizers.     

Legume-based farming in Southern Australia: developing sustainable systems to meet environmental challenges

Development of legume-based farming systems has resulted in Australian agriculture being globally competitive. There is now political pressure for agriculture to become accountable for ‘off-site’ environmental consequences. Farming systems relying on annual species are unsustainable because of a mismatch between the supply and demand of water and N, resulting in N leakage to streams or groundwater. Rainfall in excess of plant requirements coupled with N build-up, permeable soils, limited opportunities for reduction and proximity to surface or groundwater present risks for leakage of NO₃-N. We present examples of N leakage from legume systems in southern Australia, where rainfall exceeds 450 mm yr⁻¹, and the evidence suggesting that leakage contributes to stream and groundwater pollution. N build-up in autumn through mineralisation of organic-N from legume-based systems often exceeds 100 kg N ha⁻¹ and N leakage losses can be 15-35 kg N ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Stream and groundwater N pollution issues are emerging. Surface water quality problems are already apparent in Victoria although the contribution from legumes, N fertilisers and point sources remains unresolved. Examples of groundwater problems where legumes are a contributing factor have been recorded in New South Wales (NSW), South Australia (SA), Western Australia (WA) and Victoria. In Victoria, areas at risk of N groundwater contamination are found along the Great Dividing Range and in southern Victoria. Groundwater pollution causes concern because once problems are found they take decades to reverse. Stores of N in the unsaturated zone combined with limited N monitoring in groundwater suggests that early detection is unlikely. Solutions for reducing off-site consequences are outlined and include management to prevent water and N leakage happening, capture of N before it reaches waterways or groundwater and low input systems including land retirement. For scientists interested in N fixation and biological mediation, future research areas include increasing the proportion of perennials in farming systems, better control of N supply and demand through improved technology and us of N fertiliser, use of nitrification inhibitors and studies of the potential for N immobilisation and reduction through denitrification, both within and below the root zone. Integrated management strategies that address environmental implications from point/micro-scale to paddock and catchment scales are needed as are considerations of other environmental consequences. Research priorities will change from maximising N fixation for profitability towards balancing profitability and environmental goals for more sustainable systems.     

Vulnerability of Coastal Aquifers Due to Nutrient Pollution from Agriculture: Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka

This study focuses on spatial and temporal nutrient pollution of groundwater in the unconfined sandy aquifers of Kalpitiya peninsula, Sri Lanka, where agricultural activities are intense. The study covers two consecutive dry and rainy seasons during the period from 2008 to 2010. Nitrate is the dominant nutrient pollutant in groundwater. The values of Nitrate-N contents ranged from 0.60 to 212.40 mg/L in the dry seasons and 0.20?C148.50 mg/L in rainy seasons. Phosphate in groundwater ranged from 0.20 to 5.70 mg/L in dry seasons and 0.04?C10.35 mg/L with few exceptions in rainy seasons. About 50% of the studied water samples had Nitrate-N concentrations above WHO drinking water guideline values both in dry and rainy periods. These high concentrations were recorded from wells in agricultural lands. Although there is a slight decrease in the Nitrate-N concentrations at random in rainy seasons, an increasing trend of average concentrations became evident over the study period as a whole, probably indicating building up of Nitrate-N in groundwater in the vegetable growing areas. The spatial distribution of Nitrate-N too shows a good match of high Nitrate-N bearing zones with vegetable cultivated areas indicating intensive leaching from application of excessive chemical fertilizers. High Nitrate-N zones also showed fairly steady lateral distribution indicating slow lateral mobility of Nitrate-rich groundwater probably due to low hydraulic gradients. Low phosphate concentrations in both groundwater and surface soils either indicates their less use in the area or that the available phosphate is leached and removed from the aquifer water and (sandy) soil solutions and probably adsorbed in clayey deeper horizons. Low concentrations of major cations (especially K, Ca, and Na) indicate less impact on cation concentrations in groundwater by the fertilizer application or sea water intrusions/up-coning.     

桑树坪井田地下水化学特征及矿井水的再生利用

简要介绍了桑树坪井田地质与水文地质概况,按地层的含水性将井田含水层划分为第四系砂砾石层孔隙潜水中等含水层组(H1)、二叠系砂岩裂隙承压弱含水层组(H2)、石炭系砂岩灰岩裂隙承压极弱含水层组(H3)和奥陶系石灰岩溶隙溶洞承压强含水层组(H4)等4种类型。在分析各含水层组水质特征及矿井水水化学特征的基础上,得出奥灰水是矿井水的主要补给来源;并针对该井田矿井水硬度大,矿化度、SO_4~(2-)含量高的水质特征,提出了以物理一物理化学方法为基础,以电渗析法为主的净化处理矿井水方法。     

Longtime effects of deep groundwater extraction management on water table levels in surface aquifers

Purpose

A longtime monitoring (2003–2013) of groundwater levels and soil moisture was done in a plain tract surrounded by deposits from the Saale glacial stage in northern Germany. The purpose was to document the changes in the soil water regime over time in relation to changes in management of groundwater extraction and to evaluate if the hitherto management has been suitable for plant water supply for the local grassland production.

Materials and methods

Groundwater wells in the surface aquifer were monitored at 11 survey sites, and soil matric potentials were measured with tensiometers at five depths per site. Soil analyses also were done. This report contains the results from three of the 11 survey sites, which best represent the variability of the soils in the area.

Results and discussion

The monitoring showed that groundwater extraction from deep aquifers via individual wells altered the groundwater levels in the surface aquifer, even though there was a distance of several meters depth and a geological parting between the two aquifers. The impact of the groundwater extraction was shown by significant correlations between groundwater levels in the surveyed soils and groundwater extraction rates of individual wells. Climatic factors only affected groundwater levels in individual years. The management of the groundwater extraction from 1977 to 2006 severely lowered the groundwater level in the surface aquifer. Due to a limitation of the groundwater extraction rates and a shift in the degree of capacity utilization of the individual wells from 2006 onward, groundwater levels in the area are recovering. Correspondingly, the contribution of capillary rise to plant water supply has increased within the monitoring period.

Conclusions

The monitoring proves that the present management of groundwater extraction is more suitable for the groundwater situation than past management. However, groundwater levels have not yet obtained a new equilibrium, so continual monitoring is needed.

     

华北农区浅层地下水硝酸盐分布特征及其空间差异性

华北平原地下水硝酸盐污染备受关注,然而受地貌类型、土地利用、土壤结构、含水层水文地质条件等因素差异性的影响,对区域尺度上农区浅层地下水硝酸盐污染程度和特征尚没有统一定论。本文通过综述过去华北平原地下水硝酸盐污染程度的相关研究,并结合近年来对华北平原农业种植区浅层地下水硝酸盐研究所取得的认识,指出补给源区(太行山低山丘陵区)、山前平原和低平原3个典型地貌类型区浅层地下水硝酸盐研究存在的问题:补给源区土地利用变化多样、土壤和含水层渗透性好,要重视对源区氮输入的控制,加强低山丘陵区气候变化对水文过程和氮迁移过程影响机制的研究;山前平原区是农业高产区,地下水埋深较深且包气带厚度大,较高的浅层地下水硝酸盐浓度除了与点源、污水渗漏以及污水灌溉等直接影响因素有关外,农田过量肥料施用对地下水硝酸盐影响的程度、水氮迁移路径以及未来潜在风险是农区地下水硝酸盐研究中亟需关注的问题;低平原区较细的土壤沉积结构减缓了氮向下迁移的速度,但地下水埋深较浅,二者的制约关系决定了地下水硝酸盐浓度,因此应在理解地表水-土壤-地下水转化关系的基础上评估地下水硝酸盐污染的风险。     

Impact of Fertilizer Application and Agricultural Crops on the Quality of Groundwater in the Alluvial Aquifer,Northern France

In France, the quality of water resources with respect to nitrates deteriorated between the beginning of 1970s and 2000s. A stabilization of the situation and of the improvements has been observed punctually since the 2000s. Despite the application of the Nitrates Directive in France (91/676/CEE), the overall situation remains degraded, with numerous increases in nitrate concentrations in the underground waters. In the North of France, an alluvial groundwater’s nitrate concentration exceeds the drinking water limit fixed at 50 mg/l, in the sectors of Catillon-sur-Sambre and Rejet-de-Beaulieu. In order to quantify and model the impact of agricultural nitrogen on groundwater, an approach based on an integrated model has been established using three specific codes for each lithological horizon: Agriflux (for the root zone), VS2DT (for the unsaturated zone), and ModFlow-MT3D (for the saturated zone). The results illustrate the sensitivity of quality to agricultural crops used. Based on scenarios over 20 years, the predictions show a link between nitrate concentrations in the groundwater and agricultural crops as well as fertilization. Improving quality with a concentration of nitrate less than 50 mg/l requires a reasoned management accompanied by rotations of crops and transformations into grasslands and for sensitive areas the use of the culture producing the least nitrogen flow such as beets. The integrated model constitutes an efficient tool for predicting the evolution of the groundwater quality, especially in sensitive areas like the valleys with a rapid nitrate transfer to the aquifer. The model makes it possible to correctly evaluate the concentrations of nitrates reaching the groundwater with a monitoring of the concentration evolution in each lithological horizon, thus constituting a good tool for the management of agricultural pollution.     

Microbial contamination of alluvial gravel aquifers by septic tank effluent

The effects of two methods of septic tank effluent disposal on the microbial quality of alluvial gravel aquifers were investigated at an experimental site in the Canterbury Plains, New Zealand. The movement of faecal coliform bacteria 9 m from a 5.5 m deep soakage pit into an unconfined aquifer, and 42 m from an 18 m deep injection bore into a confined aquifer was recorded. Partial sealing of the soakage pit sidewalls was evident, but approximately 80% of the effluent appeared to percolate rapidly into the unconfined groundwater through a permeable pathway in the unsaturated zone. There was evidence of groundwater mounding beneath the soakage pit and around the injection bore and the consequent radial spread of leachate from both disposal structures. In both the confined and unconfined aquifers, the most heavily contaminated bores exhibited marked diurnal fluctuations in faecal coliform concentrations in response to periods of effluent discharge. First arrival velocities of a rifampycin-resistantEscherichia coli tracer of approximately 15 m day^?1 in the unconfined groundwater and 151 m day^?1 in the confined groundwater were recorded. Implications of the findings for the monitoring and management of groundwater quality beneath unsewered communities on alluvial gravel formations are briefly discussed.     

A web‐based approach to improve collation and communication of complex soil‐landscape data with examples relating to agricultural production,environmental degradation and mineral exploration

This paper provides examples of how to use web‐based techniques to organize and communicate large quantities of complex and varied soil and landscape data. It describes a straightforward method for creating an interactive, web‐based data site that can be used to facilitate more rapid and effective communication between project staff (scientists and managers) and clients (farmers and land managers). This can facilitate teleconferences between team members and be used to communicate information and ideas. Consequently, it reduces costs associated with travel and makes it easier to interpret data during collection. The web‐based data site can be used to deliver easily understood final reports to clients that may have limited background knowledge in a particular area. Additionally, it provides a sufficiently logical and intuitive user interface for use by a wide range of end‐users including farmers, land managers, policy makers and the general public. This approach has been used successfully to provide a framework to coordinate and report on the large quantities of complex data generated during the following three diverse projects: (i) a study of base metal exploration methods in an area impacted by mining and land clearance in the Mount Lofty Ranges in South Australia, (ii) acid drainage issues impacting on agricultural production in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia and (iii) inland acid sulphate soils impacting on land degradation and water quality in wetlands adjacent to the River Murray in the Riverland region of South Australia.     

Soil alkalinization and salinization in the djajerud Basin,Iran

The Djajerud Basin is located on the southern slopes of the Elburz Mountains, to the east of Tehran. Near its source, as the River is fed mainly by the melting of the winter snow and flows over tuffs and schists, its carbonate-enriched water can induce soil alkalinization. The Djajerud River runs from its source across a gypsum and marl piedmont. Gypsum is dissolved and modifies the chemical quality of the waters, which lose their alkaline character and get more salty. These sulphate-rich flows are less damaging because soil degradation hazards in the region are related more to salinization than to alkalinization. The Djajerud River waters next seep deep into a permeable deposition fan and feed water-tables which merge into the groundwaters of the Varamin Plain (which are also fed by chloride-rich waters from other sources). The chemical character of the Djajerud-River changes in this section, developing a marked sodium chloride salinity. The soils in this part of the Basin, due to the high groundwater salinity, have poor drainage which prevents any agriculture. The River eventually flows into the highly saline endorrheic Daryachehnamak Lake. The concept of residual alkalinity is used to examine the chemical composition of the Djajerud River along its course and affords the determination of the soil degradation hazard in the various parts of the Basin.     

四川省会东县雷家湾金沙江河谷地段水化学特征

利用水化学、氢氧同位素分析,结合研究区水文地质条件,阐述了研究区水环境特征,为工程建设提供了参考依据。水化学、同位素分析表明,该区地下水径流条件较差,水交替性弱;溶滤作用和蒸发作用对于该区地下水中各化学组分的形成有较大的贡献;大气降水和雪山融水为该区水体主要来源。以石英砾岩（P1）为界的双层含水系统,上部的风化裂隙水为就近的大气降水渗入补给,下部含水系统接受长距离运移的高山补给源补给。     

A fuzzy logic approach for assessment and mapping of groundwater irrigation quality: a case study of Marvdasht aquifer,Iran

Two shortcomings of the non-numeric United States Soil Laboratory (USSL) water quality designation process are, first, the uncertainty involved with assigning samples to the bordering discrete classes is not considered and, secondly, it is difficult to map. One solution to these may lie in the use of a Mamdani fuzzy inference system (MFIS). The main aims of this study were (1) to compare the MFIS and USSL approach to classifying groundwater quality for irrigation and (2) to explore the spatial variability of groundwater quality for irrigation in the Marvdasht aquifer using the MFIS output. For this purpose, 49 agricultural wells were sampled and their sodium adsorption ratio and electrical conductivity were determined. In 81% of cases, the MFIS led to the same class as USSL and in 92.8% of cases agreed with USSL classification. In only 2 out of 49 samples did the MFIS and USSL strongly disagree. The comparison showed that the MFIS method is more acceptable, reliable, and logical in the classification of water quality for irrigation purposes than other methods. The output map of the MFIS scores indicates that the upper part of Marvdasht aquifer has better quality water for irrigation.     

Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Processes in the Temara Aquifer in Northwestern Morocco

The physico-chemical characteristics of the groundwater of the Temara aquifer were studied by means of piezometric mapping and determination of the ionic composition of the groundwater. In general, the agricultural activity is intense in the area, with water being pumped from numerous wells. Two aquifer formations can be distinguished which, over a wide area, are separated by layers of low permeability. The increased salinity at some points of the coastal zone is probably linked to the combined action of the washing out of Miocene marls, dissolution of carbonate rocks, agricultural pollution and seawater intrusion.