An Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Agricultural Use (Case Study: Loor plain, Khouzestan, Iran)

Hydrochemistry of groundwater in Loor plain, Iran was used to assess the quality of groundwater for determining its suitability for agricultural purposes. Physical and chemical parameters of groundwater such as electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids(TDS), Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl-, HCO3-, SO42-, pH were determined. Concentrations of the chemical constituents in groundwater vary spatially and temporarily. Interpretation of analytical data shows that mixed Ca-HCO3, Ca-SO4 are the dominant hydrochemical facies in the study area. Alkali earths (Ca2+, Mg2+) and weak acid (HCO3-) are slightly dominating over alkalis (Na+, K+) and strong acid (Cl -). The abundance of the major ions as follows: Ca2+ > Mg2+ > Na++K+, HCO3- > SO42+ > Cl-. Evaluation of samples for irrigation purposes is obtaining according Sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), EC. Results of this study show that the most groundwater samples characterize by good quality for agricultural uses. Statistical analysis of data exhibits positive, good and interesting correlation values lead to interpretation the results of analysis and suggestion the forms of ions in the water samples.