Site selection for agri-aquaculture in the arid area using GIS techniques based on groundwater quality (Case study: Yazd-Ardakan plain, Iran)

The present study was conducted to mapping the groundwater quality of Yazd-Ardakan plain to find the appropriate areas for the integrated aquaculture and agriculture. An integrated analysis of spatial and filed data from multiple sources including cations, anions, hardness, alkalinity, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, and the temperature was performed in 37 agricultural wells. The geographic information system was carried out to prepare the different data layers and classified based on the standards for warm water (Carps) and cold water (Trout) aquaculture. The comparison of maps indicated that concerning the obtained data, it has no possibility to explore a unique region with the highest desirability towards the followed purpose. Furthermore, the northern parts of the study area were dominantly illustrated more appropriate for the culture of cold-water fish, accordingly. The main limiting factors for the warm-water fish were sulfate and magnesium ions in the water resources accounted for 118-354 mg/L and 1132-3085 mg/L, respectively. Conclusively, the agri-aqaculture development strongly depended upon the applied aeration equipment to reduce restricting ions.