Contamination of water resources in Ramsar

Ramsar, a city in Mazandaran province, is located between Tonekabon and Chaboksar. It covers an area of about 30 Km2 overlying alluvium and coastal deposits of Quaternary Period. Shallow depth of water table within the area increases the chance of contamination through seepage of waste water from septic wells and agriculture.

We have examined 31 samples to determine the contamination of water resources in 2 stages. In laboratory, the concentration of sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, chloride, carbonate, bicarbonate, phosphate, nitrate and nitrite ions have been measured. Wilcox and Schoeller diagrams led to classification of the water for drinking and agricultural purposes. Finally, plotting of isoion maps of pollutants defines contaminated areas of the city.

With respect to Scholler diagrams, most of the wells in Ramsar could be classified as suitable water resources and are drinking water. However, rivers are non-drinking water resources due to contamination with seepage and waste water.

Plotting of isoion maps of pollutants has clarified that water contamination is a matter of concern in Ramsar and seek further attention.