Investigation of Groundwater Quantitative and Qualitative Variations Trends (Case study:sari-neka aquifer)

Abstract Investigation of temporal variations of groundwater resources quality and quantity is very important for the comprehensive management of these resources. In this study, trends of the groundwater quality and quantity parameters variations of the Sari-neka plain during the period (1991-2015) were investigated. For this purpose, Mann-Kendall and Sen’s slop estimator non-parametric tests at 95% and 99% confidence levels to evaluate the trends were analyzed. The parameters used in this study were Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, TDS, Na+, Cl-, So42- in the qualitative part and the groundwater level in the quantitative part. The results for 16 quantity observation wells indicated that the trend of groundwater level for 5 observation wells was positive. 2 observation wells were negative trend and 9 observation wells were a non-significant trend. The qualitative trend analysis for 19 observation wells showed that expect Ca2+ which experienced positive trends (3 observation wells), the other quality parameters followed negative or non- significant trend.