Document Type : Research Article
Authors
1
Department of Irrigation and Reclamation Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran
2
Department of Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Energy and Sustainable Resources Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3
Department of Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Energy and Sustainable Resources Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, IRAN
Abstract
Introduction
Drought, as an environmental crisis, not only impacts ecosystems but also poses risks to human activities and has significant negative effects. The occurrence of intermittent and prolonged droughts, along with significant fluctuations in climate, exacerbates water scarcity, particularly in surface water resources; thus, groundwater resources play a key role as a vital source for supplying water for various consumption needs.
Groundwater drought is one of the serious and increasing challenges that has been acutely felt in recent years. Climate change and increasing water demand in agricultural and industrial sectors has led to increase dextraction from groundwater sources, significantly affecting many plains and groundwater resources in the country, resulting in severe depletion. This has consequently led to water crises and recurrent droughts. Therefore, understanding the relationship between drought and the status of groundwater resources is crucial. This issue not only impacts agriculture and food security but also has negative effects on public health, the economy, and the environment. For this reason, proper and sustainable management of these resources in the face of drought challenges is essential.
Materials and Methods
The examination of hydrogeological droughts and the monitoring of groundwater levels is essential for providing appropriate solutions for the protection and management of water resources.
In the present study, the Groundwater Resource Index (GRI) was used to assess groundwater drought in the Qazvin Plain. Additionally, to explore the relationship between the GRI and the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) across different time scales, the correlation coefficient between the two indices was calculated. Subsequently, the GRI was localized within the plain by analyzing its values across various monitoring wells.
Results and Discussion
The high correlation between the GRI index and the SPI drought index over a 48-month timeframe indicated that groundwater resources in the Qazvin plain were influenced by both wet and dry weather phenomena, with a time lag of approximately three to six months before meteorological drought translated into groundwater drought. Eslamian et al. (2009) also reported a three-month time lag for the effects of drought on the groundwater resources of the Qazvin, Buin Zahra, and Hamadan plains in their research.
Conclusion
The localization study of the GRI index in the Qazvin Plain region concluded that the index is highly responsive for assessing and evaluating groundwater drought. It effectively identified wet and dry years and showed a strong alignment with the behavior of the groundwater table. The analysis of drought during the years from 1996-2001 also illustrated that the impacts of drought continued into subsequent years on groundwater resources, and according to the GRI index, the decline in groundwater levels persisted in later years. This was evident even with increased precipitation in 2002 and thereafter, where we continued to witness declines and the ongoing trend of groundwater drought.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the University of Tehran and the Water Resources Management Company of Iran for providing the necessary facilities to conduct this research study and prepare relevant papers.
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