Evaluation of Faryab spring hydrochemistry in Hormozgan Province, Southern Iran

With a mean precipitation rate, much lower than that of the world, Iran is among the countries that face severe water challenges. The present study has dealt with the evaluation of hydrochemistry of Faryab spring water in Hormozgan Province, Iran. Four different composite water samples have been analyzed to detect major anions, cations, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, pH, and sodium absorption ratio. The dominant water type was detected as sodium-chloride, with remarkable high concentration of sodium and chloride ions that makes it unfit for drinking purposes. Regarding irrigation use, high values of electrical conductivity (29989 to 31983 μS/cm) and sodium absorption ratio (SAR) (58.1 to 61) indicate a very high risk level for salinity and sodium alkali hazards, respectively. Abundance of secondary minerals such as halite and gypsum is considered to be the main reason for remarkably-high TDS values. Intensity of salt domes within the area would also facilitate solution/dissolution process of Na+ and Cl- into water column.