Investigation of the Effect of Taqchakhana Salt Dome on the Quality of Namak AB River, Takhar province

Abstract

Salt domes affect the quality of surface and groundwater, as well as the soil quality in the downstream areas, due to the dissolution of various salts. During this process, a significant volume of salts enters the seawater each year and, under the influence of various erosive factors, especially water, it reaches the lower areas and affects the water quality. The aim of this research is to examine the impact of the Taqchakhana salt dome on the water quality of the downstream areas. To conduct this research, 9 water samples were collected from the Namakab river, springs on the right and left sides of the river, and water emerging from beneath the salt dome over a period of 2 days from these areas. The variables of arsenic, copper, iron, zinc, measure dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, magnesium, nitrite, bacteria, dissolved oxygen, and pH were measured and examined. Additionally, the studied parameters were compared with the standards of WHO, USEPA, and Indian Standard. The results indicate that the concentration of dissolved solids in Namakab from the salt dome is higher (TDS=136PPM) and lower from the salt dome (TDS=1943PPM), the concentration of dissolved salts is higher from the salt dome (EC=0.18 ϻs/cm) and lower from the salt dome (EC=2.59 ϻs/cm), turbidity is higher from the salt dome (NTU=1.14 NTU) and lower from the salt dome (NTU=70.4 NTU), nitrate is higher from the salt dome (Nitrate=1-2 Mg/L) and lower from the salt dome (Nitrate=2-5 Mg/L), dissolved oxygen is higher from the salt dome (O=5 Mg/L) and lower from the salt dome (O=4 Mg/L), pH is higher and lower from the salt dome (pH=7.5), temperature is 25°C, arsenic concentration is higher and lower from the salt dome (0µg/L), copper concentration is higher from the salt dome (Cu=0.09 Mg/L) and lower from the salt dome (Cu=1.96Mg/L), and iron and zinc concentration is higher and lower from the salt dome (Zn-Fe=0.01 Mg/L). From comparing the obtained results with globally accepted standards, it can be concluded that the water of Namakab is not suitable for drinking and irrigating agricultural lands after passing through the mining area.