Studying the Babol-Amol Aquifer and Presenting Future Management Scenarios with the Aim of Quantitative and Qualitative Stability of the Aquifer

Today, the role of mathematical models in investigating the state of water resources is more prominent than other methods. Therefore, building a mathematical model of the groundwater table and applying management scenarios to it can provide a better view of the future conditions of that aquifer for better management. This research was conducted with the aim of building a conceptual model of the Babol-Amol plain aquifer and investigating the water balance, over-harvesting, the amount of water entering and leaving the study area, and management measures for the sustainability of the current and future situation based on the data of 1985-2021. The results of the water balance investigations of the Babol-Amol alluvial aquifer show that the recharge volume of this aquifer is equal to 312.01 and its discharge volume is 313.41 million cubic meters, which represents the deficit of the volume of the aquifer by 1.4 million cubic meters. It can be seen that the balance of the groundwater table of the Babol-Amol aquifer and accordingly its groundwater level is in relative harmony, but in recent years, on the one hand, due to the increase in the area under rice cultivation in two cropping seasons in the summer, the water level of the aquifer has decreased, and on the other hand, the use of fertilizers and poisons for rice fields has increased significantly. Fertilizers are also drained from the rice fields and seep into the lower layers, and in the rainy season, the rise of the aquifer water level causes the pollution of the groundwater. To prevent these problems from becoming critical, this aquifer needs strategic management in order to maintain the balance of the aquifer and not be polluted in terms of quality, so well drainage in rice fields is one of the solutions recommended for further investigation.