Hydrogeochemistry, water quality and health risk assessment of water resources contaminated by agricultural activities in Korkuteli (Antalya, Turkey) district center

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VAROL S., Sekerci M.

JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH, vol.16, no.4, pp.574-599, 2018 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 16 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2018
  • Doi Number: 10.2166/wh.2018.003
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.574-599
  • Süleyman Demirel University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Groundwater is a major water source for drinking, domestic and agricultural activities in the Korkuteli
district. However, the intensive agricultural activities in the region negatively affect the groundwater
quality. In this study, 30 water samples were collected from springs, wells, and tap waters in dry and
wet seasons. Ca-Mg-HCO3 and Mg-Ca-HCO3 were dominant water types in the study area. According
to the Gibbs diagrams, which were prepared to determine the mechanism controlling the
groundwater geochemistry, samples from both seasons fell in the rock-dominance zone. The water
quality index indicates the increase of ion concentrations due to the agricultural effect along with the
rainwater in the region. Also, according to WHO standards, water samples are not appropriate to use
as drinking water in terms of the heavy metal and fertilizers analysis results. In terms of the irrigation
usage, most groundwater samples are suitable in dry and wet seasons. According to HCO3 and SO4
results, the mentioned samples can induce incrustation on metal surfaces and therefore are not
recommended for industrial use. Groundwater chemistry in the study area is affected with water–
rock interaction and dense agricultural activities. In conclusion, the study area is at high risk in terms
of the health risk assessment.

Groundwater is a major water source for drinking, domestic and agricultural activities in the Korkuteli district. However, the intensive agricultural activities in the region negatively affect the groundwater quality. In this study, 30 water samples were collected from springs, wells, and tap waters in dry and wet seasons. Ca-Mg-HCO3 and Mg-Ca-HCO3 were dominant water types in the study area. According to the Gibbs diagrams, which were prepared to determine the mechanism controlling the groundwater geochemistry, samples from both seasons fell in the rock-dominance zone. The water quality index indicates the increase of ion concentrations due to the agricultural effect along with the rainwater in the region. Also, according to WHO standards, water samples are not appropriate to use as drinking water in terms of the heavy metal and fertilizers analysis results. In terms of the irrigation usage, most groundwater samples are suitable in dry and wet seasons. According to HCO3 and SO4 results, the mentioned samples can induce incrustation on metal surfaces and therefore are not recommended for industrial use. Groundwater chemistry in the study area is affected with water-rock interaction and dense agricultural activities. In conclusion, the study area is at high risk in terms of the health risk assessment.