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Seasonal and spatial variations in water quality of deep aquifer in the Harran plain, GAP project, southeastern Anatolia, Turkey

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Abstract

Groundwater is used for both drinking and irrigation purposes. Thus, its monitoring and understanding the processes controlling its quality are crucial in terms of sustainable use. Groundwater samples were collected from 11 deep aquifer wells located in the Harran plain, Southeastern Anatolia during four seasons and analyzed for TDS, EC, pH, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl−, F−, SO42−, HCO3−, NO3−. Techniques such as ANOVA, correlation analyses, heat-mapping and Principal Component Analyses (PCA) were used to investigate main factors controlling seasonal and spatial variations in groundwater quality parameters. Grounwater quality parameters were also associated with topographical parameters [elevation, slope, flow direction, flow accumulation, and Topo Wetness Index (TWI)]. According to WHO standards, average values of all parameters investigated were in general within allowable limits for drinking water with a few exceptions for NO3−, SO42− and F− that exceeded threshold limits at some locations. Seasonal variations in all water quality parameters except EC, TDS and SO42− were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Parameters such as EC, TDS, Ca2+, Mg2+, NO3−, F− were the main parameters controlling the qualities of groundwater sampled according to PCA analyses results, which separated the wells into two main groups; the wells located in the lower parts of the plain with higher values of EC, TDS, TWI, Flow Accumulation and the wells located in upper part of the plain with higher EC, TDS, elevation, slope and Flow Direction. Spatial variations in selected groundwater quality variables by topographical parameters ranged from 40.7 to 94.8%. Overall, the results of the study will contribute to good groundwater management efforts on a local and global scale.

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Availability of data and material

Any data and material used in this study can be provided upon request.

Code availability

Codes running statistical analysis performed in the study can be provided upon request.

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Acknowledgements

This study has been financially supported by Turkish Republic Harran University Scientific Research Commission (HUBAK; Grant Number: 19007). The authors would like to thank Dr. Fred Ernst for helping with manuscript language.

Funding

Financial Support for this study has been provided by Turkish Republic Harran University Scientific Research Commission (HUBAK; Grant Number: 19007).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Architecture, Faculty of Fine Arts, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Turkey

    Ibrahim Yenigun

  2. Department of Soil Science and Crop Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Turkey

    Ali Volkan Bilgili

  3. Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Turkey

    M. Irfan Yesilnacar

  4. Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Agrirulture, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Turkey

    Hamza Yalcin

Authors
  1. Ibrahim Yenigun
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  2. Ali Volkan Bilgili
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  3. M. Irfan Yesilnacar
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  4. Hamza Yalcin
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Correspondence to Ali Volkan Bilgili.

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Yenigun, I., Bilgili, A.V., Yesilnacar, M.I. et al. Seasonal and spatial variations in water quality of deep aquifer in the Harran plain, GAP project, southeastern Anatolia, Turkey. Environ Earth Sci 80, 568 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09858-2

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