Quality of Shallow Groundwater and Drainage Water in Irrigated Agricultural Lands in A Mediterranean Coastal Region of Turkey

Abstract

Spatial and seasonal differences in water quality of drainage water and unconfined shallow groundwater were related to irrigation in Samandag, a Mediterranean coastal region. Eighteen wells, seven drainage points and Orontes River were monitored bimonthly for one year for analyses of electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), cations (Na, K, Ca + Mg) and anions (CO 3 , HCO 3 , Cl and SO 4 ). Agricultural irrigation using saline groundwater decreased water quality of Orontes River during the irrigation season (May to September) more than during the non-irrigation season (October to April). Seasonal fluctuations in water quality of shallow groundwater were greater during the irrigation season than the non-irrigation season in the study area. Excessive use of groundwater resulted in a decline in the water table levels in the irrigation season. Water table level rose up to the soil surface in areas where there was a lack of drainage or poor drainage, due to the impact of precipitation in the winter. SAR and pH values of drainage water increased in the irrigation season, while the other properties of drainage water decreased. Irrigation water quality of Orontes River was classified as C 3 S 1 in both seasons. Irrigation water quality of shallow groundwater and drainage water varied from C 2 S 1 to C 4 S 2 in one year. Drainage and well waters were found to be different on yearly basis in terms of Na, SAR ( p < 0.01) and Ca + Mg concentrations ( p < 0.001). Ca + Mg concentrations for both sources were different for all sampling dates ( p < 0.001).

State of the Art and New Technologies to Recycle the Fertigation Effluents in Closed Soilless Cropping Systems Aiming to Maximise Water and Nutrient Use Efficiency in Greenhouse Crops

“…Raw water with moderately high Na + concentration can be used in CLSs if mixed with appropriate amounts of rainwater. However, this option is not available for growers in regions with low yearly rainfall, like those in many parts of the Mediterranean basin, who face serious problems with excessively high Na + levels in the available water sources used for NS preparation [42]. The Na + concentration in the AS is identical to that in the water used to prepare it, as no Na + is added to NSs through fertilisers.…”

Phosphorus Speciation in the Surface Sediment and River Water from the Orontes (Asi) River, Turkey

“…In addition to receiving the untreated wastewater of these industries, the Orontes also receives the domestic wastewater that pours into the river at an estimated 100 m 3 /d and greatly decreases the oxygen available for fish to survive in the river. Agricultural land surrounding the Orontes is the main source of pollution, as a great quantity of chemical fertilizers and insecticides run off into the river (Bakalowicz et al, 2008;Kilic et al, 2006;Odemiş, et al, 2006Odemiş, et al, , 2007Yilmaz and Dogan, 2008).…”