Irrigation Water Quality Assessment of Alibeyhüyüğü (Çumra-Konya) and Its Vicinity

Abstract

This study was performed to evaluate the quality and suitability of groundwater resources as irrigation water in the Alibeyhüyüğü (Çumra) and its vicinity, Central Anatolia, Turkey. With this purpose, nitrogen and its derivatives (NO3, NO3-H, NH3, and NH4) electrical conductivity (EC), sodium percentage (Na %), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), magnesium ratio (MR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), permeability index (PI) and Kelly’s index (KI) parameters and Wilcox and US salinity laboratory diagrams were used. According to the Wilcox classification, most of the groundwater samples are in “excellent” category while only 4 samples are in “excellent to good” category. Additionally, in the US salinity laboratory diagram, 57 % of the groundwater samples are in C2S1 class and 43 % of the groundwater samples are in C3S1 class, and these type waters can be used for irrigation in almost all soil types with little danger of exchangeable sodium. Based on the SAR, Na%, RSC, PI and KI, it was determined that groundwater is suitable for irrigation. Only 3 samples in terms of the magnesium ratio are not suitable for irrigation. According to the Water Pollution Control Regulation, 29%, 21%, 48% and 2% of the groundwater samples in terms of nitrate are I., II., III. and IV. quality waters, respectively. Although the concentration of nitrate in groundwater samples did not reach dangerous levels, it is more than 10 mg/l in 50% of the groundwater samples, indicating pollution caused by agricultural activities in the region.