Hydrochemical investigation and influencing processes on aquifer quality in the Shiraz refinery Area

Authors

1 M. Sc. Student of Hydrogeology, School of Geology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Assoc. Prof., School of Geology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Ph. D. in Hydrogeology, Fars Regional Water Authority, Shiraz, Iran

4 M. Sc. (graduated), in hydrogeology, School of Geology, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Shiraz Oil Refining was built in 1973 at a distance of 20 kilometers north of Shiraz. The aquifer area of ​​the refinery and its surrounding lands have been part of one of the sources of industrial and agricultural water needs of ​​the downstream areas. In this research, by water sampling and analyzing during two periods (January and September 2022), the hydrochemical investigation and processes affecting the groundwater chemistry have been investigated. The water temperature of the samples varied between 19.1 and 25°C. The amount of acidity changes in the range of 7.5 to 8.8. The range of electrical conductivity in the studied samples was between 321.7 and 2346 µS/cm. According to the Piper diagram, the dominant type of water samples includes two calcium-magnesium bicarbonate and calcium-magnesium sulfate. The Pearson matrix showed strong and positive correlations between cations and chloride and negative correlations between bicarbonate and sulfate. Gibbs diagram considers the interaction of water and rock as the main process affecting the hydrochemistry of the groundwater. The ionic and composition ratio diagrams also consider the dissolution of carbonate minerals and to a less extent, evaporite minerals as the most important factors influencing the water chemistry of the region. It is possible that the low sulfate concentration in water is caused by the activities of soil microorganisms to break down hydrocarbon pollution.

Keywords


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