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Instructor and research associate of urban physical development group. ACECR (academic center for education, culture and research),

Groundwater quality assessment is vital to protect this resource. Therefore, the aims of this study were to evaluate the hydro-chemical quality of the Marvdasht aquifer located in the semi-arid region of Iran and to map the groundwater quality parameters. For this purpose, a mean data of 11 groundwater quality parameters collected from 49 wells (2010–2015) were used. Pie, Schoeller and Piper diagrams were used to determine the dominant ions and type of water. Ion ratios and Gibbs diagrams were used to illustrate the chemistry and processes in the groundwater. Spatial distribution of quality parameters were mapped using ArcGIS. Results showed that the water type is Na-Cl and Cl− with abundance orders of CL− > SO42− > HCO3− and Na+ with abundance orders of Na+ > Mg2 + >Ca2+ > K+ are dominant anion and cation, respectively. Gibbs diagrams revealed that geological formations control the groundwater chemistry in 66% of the groundwater samples. Based on the Wilcox diagram, only 24% of the samples fell into the C4–S4 class with high salinity and alkalinity hazard. The maps showed that generally groundwater in the north of the study site has better quality than that the south of the study site, where the existence of dolomite and chalky formations leads to decreasing water quality.

With increasing population and freshwater shortages worldwide, it is necessary to protect vital groundwater resources using innovative methods. The main objective of this study is to use a geographic information systems (GIS)-based approach with the Groundwater Quality Index (GWQI) to analyze groundwater quality in Marvdasht located in the semi-arid region of Iran. For this purpose, we used groundwater quality data that were collected in a five-year period (2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015). The most influential water quality parameters were determined by performing map removal sensitivity analysis. Mean maps of the groundwater parameters showed that total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC) and total hardness (TH) were the most important parameters that exceed the maximum permissible limits for drinking water. The groundwater quality of the study area is generally desirable for drinking (GWQI ¼ 71). The GWQI map indicated that groundwater was higher quality in northern regions of the study area. The GWQI also revealed that only 2% of the study area (11 km 2 ) was below the low quality class. According to map removal sensitivity analysis, Mg 2þ , TH and Na þ were identified as the most sensitive water quality parameters. Therefore, these parameters need to be monitored regularly and with increased precision.

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