Abdorreza Vaezihir; Nasser Jabraili andaryan; Shoaib Bakhtiyari
Volume 6, Issue 20 , December 2019, , Pages 41-56
Abstract
1- IntroductionThe rocks that can be karstified are divided into two categories of carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite) and evaporates (salt and gypsum). One of the karstic landforms are caves. Hydrogeologically, caves are dissolved cavities with diameter larger than 5 to 15 mm. This is the threshold ...
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1- IntroductionThe rocks that can be karstified are divided into two categories of carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite) and evaporates (salt and gypsum). One of the karstic landforms are caves. Hydrogeologically, caves are dissolved cavities with diameter larger than 5 to 15 mm. This is the threshold of turbulent flow. One of the important characteristics of the caves is the cross-sectional pattern and this parameter is a controlling factor of the cave development mechanism. Caves are developed in general due to tectonic factors are structure control with irregular cross section. These types of caves are developed along faults, joints and bedding. On the other hand, caves which are caused by hydraulic phenomena (hydraulic control), have a circular or ellipsoidal cross-section. However, the first factor in the creation of such caves may also be tectonic structures, but the most important factor for their development was the flow of water (Karimi, 2010).The karstic flow model was divided into two types of diffuse and conduit types according to velocity and governor flow equations. In diffuse flow systems, the water moves linearly through the connected fractures less than a centimeter. In this type of flow, the output of the springs is numerous and with low discharge. While in conduit system, water moves through the joints and channels larger than one centimeter and is usually exposed as a large discharge spring. Due to the high distribution of carbonate rocks in Kurdistan province and extensive exploitation of karst springs, recognizing these resources and identification of the role of karstification in supplying the water resources of the province is a necessity. Karstic water sources are strategic water supply sources specially in crisis of drought period. In this research, after determining the karst areas of the province, caves and karstic springs as two important indicators of karst development were studied to evaluate the characteristics of caves and springs of the province in terms of development model and flow system. 2- MethodologyIn order to investigate the development of karst and formation of caves and karstic springs, at the first, comprehensive knowledge of the region's petrology is necessary. The formation and structural conditions of the region should also be identified in order to recognize areas with high potential of karstification. Understanding the types of karstic units also helps to identify the level of karstification in different parts of the areas. Using plan of the caves, it is possible to compare the passage strike of the caves with fault's rose diagram. Study of spring density and the discharge rate of karstic springs in different parts of the area can be done to find out whether the karst development system is conduit or diffuse type. Also, to study the relation between the water quality of the springs with the geological formations, hydraulic conductivity (EC) was focused on. The lower electrical conductivity (EC) values are belonged to springs originated from hard rock and karstic units of the area. One of the ways that can be used to evaluate the permeability of hard and carbonate formations is Special Discharge assessment for each formation.4-Discussion and conclusionAbout 29% of the province area is formed of karstic units including impure and pure lime, lime with volcanic layers, and dolomite with the most coverage percent. The results of this study showed that all caves of the area are located on the karstic units of the province and their dominant strikes are concordant with dominant strike of the faults. By comparing Rose diagrams of fault lines around several caves with that’s of cave passage the effect of water or structure on controlling the development pattern of these caves was determined. The total discharge of the springs is 13.7 m3/s which 9.5 m3/s (about 70%) of that belongs karstic springs. Most springs with discharge above 5 L/S originated from karstic formations are located especially in limestone, impure limestone and limestone with volcanic layers. Average discharge of total karstic springs are 0.4 liters per second, showing poor development of karst or development of diffuse model of flow system. However, karst development system seems to be conduit dominated in the southern parts of the province and diffuse dominated at the other areas. The minimum electrical conductivity (EC) of the study area belongs to springs that discharge fractured and karstic units.The results of this study showed that all caves of the area are located on the karstic units and their dominant length is consistent with the dominant length of the faults. By comparing the Rose diagrams of fault lines around several caves with the cave passage strike revealed that structure and tectonics have the main control on development, pattern and profile of the caves. About 69.5 % of the total discharge of the springs of study area are originated from the karstic units. Karstic springs provide 79.32% of the water use in agriculture and 4% of urban and rural drinking water in Kurdistan province. The karst development system seems to be conduit dominated in the southern parts of the province and diffuse dominated at the other parts. The minimum electrical conductivity (EC) is belongs to springs which discharge fractured rock and karstic units. The most specific discharge rates are related to carbonate rocks and lowest discharge rates are related to crystalline rocks of the province.
Hamed Jafarian; Abdorreza Vaezihir; Hossein Pirkharrati
Volume 5, Issue 15 , October 2018, , Pages 75-94
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
The investigation into water resources of hard rocks and limestone, is very important because of their quality and role in the supply of the portable water. More than 10 percent of Iran is covered with hard rocks formations which increases up to 25% in the northwest of Iran. Because ...
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Abstract
Introduction
The investigation into water resources of hard rocks and limestone, is very important because of their quality and role in the supply of the portable water. More than 10 percent of Iran is covered with hard rocks formations which increases up to 25% in the northwest of Iran. Because of the high quality of hard rock and karstic aquifers and their suitable location for supplying the drinking water of rural areas, the exploration and exploitation of groundwater from these formations are of interest. In quantitative terms, while the frequency of springs in hard rocks is normally more than that of karstic aquifers, the discharge of karstic springs is normally higher. The hydrochemistry of groundwater in hard rocks and limestone is influenced by aquifer body material, groundwater flow velocity, and residential time of water in aquifer.
Methodology
The study area was located in the west of Urmia City, northwest of Iran as a part of Lake Urmia watershed. The geological units is mainly carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite).
In order to investigate the quality of groundwater resources, 15 samples of springs were collected and analyzed for the major ions (HCO3, CL, SO4, Mg, Ca, Na, K). Other parameters such as TDS, PH and EC were also measured. Various diagrams and techniques like Durov and Gibbs diagrams, saturation index, and ion ratios were employed to determine the water type and faces and the source of ions. Also some diagrams were used to check water quality for agricultural and drinking usages.
Results and Discussion
Pie diagrams of SO4, Na, and EC showed that the basin area located in young alluviums bearing gypsum caused an increase in SO4 and EC. Marls of Miocene formation in the area also had increased the concentration of Na in some water samples
Based on the samples position in the Piper, Durov, and Gibbs diagrams, most types of groundwater was bicarbonate and calcic types.
The main factors which controled the groundwater chemistry were processes such as ion exchange (due to the presence of clay minerals), weathering, and dissolution of limestone and dolomite formations. It was also found that the watersheds of the large number of springs were located in Permian limestone and detrital Miocene units.
Wilcox diagram showed that most of the samples were in the class C2-S1, which indicated their low salinity and their appropriateness for agriculture. Schoeller diagram also showed that the groundwater region had good and acceptable quality for drinking. Saturation index survey showed a highest value of unsaturity related to dolomites for the samples which is influenced by Silvana dolomitic formation. Under saturity of samples related to gypsum, halite, and anhydrate was expected because of the absence of saline gypsiferous formations in the area.
Conclusion
The results of this research showed that the groundwater of the study area has a water with calcic and bicarbonate types with a high hydrochemical quality, which is appropriate for agriculture and drinking uses. It was also found that lithology has a major role in the hydrochemistry and quality of the groundwater. Weathering and solution of Routeh and Tertiary limestone karstic formations, and Silvana dolomitic formation have more impact on the groundwater quality of the study area. However, alluvial gypsiferous and Miocene formations with marl beds have a little impact on the quality of groundwater in the north, center and east of the area.
