Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 PhD Student in Watershed Science and Engineering, Department of Rangeland and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources and Desertology, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.
2 Professor, Rangeland and Watershed Department, Faculty of Natural Resources and Desertology, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran.
3 Associate Professor, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research Institute, Agricultural Research,Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Tehran, Iran
Abstract
continuous monitoring and assessment of water quality are key issues for its sustainable protection and management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the water quality of springs in the Ilam Dam Watershed, located in Ilam Province, using the Water Quality Index (WQI), WHO standards, and an analysis of Schuler and Piper diagrams. In this study, ten water quality parameters, including sulfate, chloride, bicarbonate, pH, TDS, total hardness, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium, were measured in four selected springs over a six-month period, from April 2023 to September 2023, using standard methods. The results of this study indicated that, according to the WQI method, the water quality in the sampling stations was rated as excellent, with scores ranging from 38.07 to 45.45 during the study period. The findings also showed that, according to WHO standards, all parameters were within the acceptable range. Additionally, the water quality was classified as good according to the Schuler diagram and as calcium bicarbonate type according to the Piper diagram. Despite the excellent water quality, it is essential to implement continuous monitoring and more precise management to prevent potential future contamination. The analyses conducted using WQI, Piper, and Schuler diagrams demonstrate that these tools are useful and effective for analyzing and interpreting complex data sets, assessing water quality, and understanding the spatial distribution of water quality for effective water quality management. These tools can serve as a solid foundation for management decision-making and the implementation of protective policies.
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