Comparison of the performance of algebraic methods and statistical context in determining spatial changes in groundwater quality in Tabriz plain

Groundwater quality is an important subject in hydrologic studies and the study of its qualitative parameters variations is very crucial for determining its suitability for drinking, agricultural or industrial consumptions. Information on spatial variations of groundwater quality is a way for tracing the effect of forcing elements alike contaminants. In the present study, geo-statistics methods were applied for studying groundwater qualitative parameters (e.g. Chlorine, Sulfate, Total Hardness, Total Dissolved solid, Electric conductivity, Sodium Adsorption Ratio, Magnesium, Sodium, Calcium, pH) in Tabriz plain during a 15-years period. The employed techniques included Inverse Distance Weighing, Radial Basis Functions and Kriging. The obtained results showed that the concentration of these parameters has been increased in Northwestern, west and southwestern parts of the plain, revealing the degradation of water quality in those regions. Also, the accuracy of the two methods of Radial Basis Functions and kriging, depending on the type of parameter studied, was found to be suitable for modeling. In general, comparing the maps prepared for the parameters, it is observed that the zones specified for these parameters follow almost a specific pattern and the minimum and maximum of all parameters are located in common areas of the plain.