Application of inverse geochemical modelling for predicting surface water chemistry in Ekbatan watershed, Hamedan, western Iran

Abstract

A study of surface water chemistry evolution was conducted by multivariate statistical analysis and inverse geochemical modelling using the PHREEQC computer program. Using hierarchical cluster analysis the 14 sampling sites were classified into three groups (recharge, transition and discharge areas). Water chemistry changed along a flow path so that waters with Ca–HCO3 and Mg–Cl composition changed to Mg–Cl–HCO3 waters. The order of abundance of the major cations was Mg > Ca > Na > K. Their average concentrations were 21, 19, 3.6 and 2.5 mg L-1, respectively. Inverse geochemical modelling along flow paths indicated that the dissolution of sylvite and kaolinite, and precipitation of feldspars and andalusite, happened with Na entering the solution and Ca, Mg and K leaving the solution. Editor D. Koutsoyiannis; Associate editor not assigned