Environmentally sound water resources management in catchment level using DPSIR model and scenario analysis

Maharlou-Bakhtegan Catchment in the southern part of Iran is faced with water scarcity. This problem is exacerbated by environmental degradation, climate change effects, mismanagement of water resources, along with a major dependence of water demand supplies on the limited groundwater resources. In this study, a combined approach of DPSIR model along with the scenario analysis was employed to derive the optimal management strategies for the environmentally sound water resources management of Maharlou-Bakhtegan Catchment considering the conjunctive use of surface and groundwater resources. Cause-effect relationships were identified by DPSIR framework and 15 scenarios were developed based on them. For evaluating each scenario, 9 integrated water resources management indicators were introduced and evaluated by MODSIM. The results demonstrated that in scenario Scen-14, restriction for the irrigation area development, as well as other management solutions, which led to 100% supply of domestic and industrial water demands and 91% supply of agricultural water demands. Also in the last scenario the value 1.79 kg/m[3] was received by the Agricultural water productivity indicators. Moreover, by satisfying all IWRM indicators as well as enhancing zero for negative water balance of the aquifers in Scen-14, it is clearly indicated that this scenario revealed more efficient management solutions for the environmentally sound water resources management of the catchment

Development of water quality index [WQI] for Gorganrood river

There are several factors influencing the water quality based on its usage. The quality of drinking water is of the vital concern for human health and life. An essential attempt has to be done to develop a water quality index [WQI] corresponding with different conditions and characteristics of the relevant river" or water body such as geographical, hydrological, discharge rate and pollution sources. The index is not specifically focused on human health or aquatic life regulations. However, a water index based on some very important parameters can determine a simple indicator of water quality. In the present study, the Gorganrood water quality has been evaluated by available NSF water quality index. Subsequently, the nine present NSF parameters' weights have been changed and modified using the analytical hierarchy process [AHP] method as well as experts' opinions in the field in a way to satisfy local conditions. In the newly developed WQI, more weights are given to relation with these parameters it can be said that the factors like dissolved oxygen [Do], fecal coliform [Fc] and biological oxygen demand [BOD] when compared with NSF-WQI

Evaluation of salt effects on some thermodynamic properties of Urmia Lake water

In this study some thermodynamic parameters including freezing point, boiling point and the vapor pressure of Urmia Lake salt water were investigated as some important environmentally monitored physicochemical properties of Urmia Lake. In this regard salt concentration is chiefly responsible for the modification of the thermodynamic properties of Urmia Lake water which affects its overall environmental and ecological characteristics. On the other hand, the Urmia Lake is now supposed to be the most convenient place for many rare aquatic species and therefore interpreted to be unique from the viewpoint of qualitative characteristics. For the goals of this study water sampling and analysis where performed in two wet and dry periods of the lake in order to represent the extremes of the lake's environmental variability. Prevailing chemical ions in the water body were determined and used for the estimation of the relative thermodynamic coefficients of salt water for the acquisition of the freezing point, boiling point and the vapor pressure of the Urmia Lake water. Interpolated calibration curves were plotted for the changes in the studied parameters versus a variety of salt concentrations indicating a linear relationship between the investigated parameters and the prevailing salt concentration of the Urmia Lake. The calibration curves were then formulated to simplify the estimation of the thermodynamic parameters of the Urmia Lake for any salinity conditions. Real sample analysis also showed a very good agreement between the estimated and observed values