Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

THE STUDY OF CASPIAN SEA SALT WATER INTRUSION TO AQUIFER OF GHAEMSHAHR PLAIN, IRAN

Esfandiyar Abbas Novinpoor

Abstract

Ghaemshahr plain is famous due to geological, hydro geological, hydrological and regional conditions, human’s factors and nearness to Caspian Sea faces with salt water intrusion. This plain is located at the northwest of Iran in Mazandaran state and near Caspian Sea. In this study graphs and maps are drawn by using geophysical, geological and chemical analysis information based on salt water intrusion. These studies show that, contrary to routine discharge, continually drought and unsuitable watering methods caused a decreasing trend of accessibility level and salt water intrusion into aquifer during the past 40 years. On the other hand, during geological periods Caspian Sea had multiple developments and regressions, so some water of this sea is remained into Absheron formation sediments and covered by New Caspian Formation above sediments and formed fossil saline aquifer in different parts of the Plain. Fresh water aquifers due to reduced water pressure and possibly through ion exchange in middle of the plain entered to freshwater aquifers and caused salinization of aquifers. It is necessary to control the amount of water elicitation and the way of irrigation depending on that the cultivation should be set. Selecting the appropriate method for artificial feeding in vicinity of altitudes by considering the status of water table in discharging area is necessary because this aquifer is currently in critical condition and with this trend in not so distant future will be destroyed thoroughly due to population growth, the increase in land under cultivation and continuous droughts.