Aquifer Characterization and Physiochemical Analysis of District Dera Ghazi Khan Punjab, Pakistan

Authors

  • Waqas Shafiq Institute of Geology, University of the Punjab Lahore, 54590 Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0245-7947
  • Hadayat Ullah Khan Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Hazara University Mansehra, 21300 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6575-4802
  • Muhammad Zaheer Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Hazara University Mansehra, 21300 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9199-5880
  • Mubashir Mehmood Department of Geology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; Department of Earth Sciences, Quaid -e- Azam University Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
  • Umer Farooq Institute of Geology, University of the Punjab Lahore, 54590 Pakistan
  • Muhammad Jahagir Khan Institute of Geology, University of the Punjab Lahore, 54590 Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5367-0356
  • Saad Ahmed Mashwani Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Hazara University Mansehra, 21300 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9643-8933
  • Sami Ullah Institute of Geology, University of the Punjab Lahore, 54590 Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9008-4284

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17794/rgn.2021.3.4

Keywords:

Alluvial deposits, Salinity; Aquifer, Physio-chemical, Heavy metals

Abstract

The study area is located in the arid section of Punjab province, Pakistan. The accessibility of freshwater is the main problem in this area. The area is mainly flat and alluvial deposits are present down to 800 m. The groundwater is not fit for drinking because of its salinity. Hence, it is essential to mark the transition between fresh water and saltwater. Resistivity models were used to locate freshwater areas. The saltwater areas are between 10 and 30 m deep. Salt flats and clayrich deposits are visible on resistivity maps and were identified by low resistance values. After linking resistivity data and maps, it is determined that the south portion of the area has a freshwater aquifer, especially at a depth of 200 m. At this depth, the quality of water is very good, regardless of its mild salinity in some areas. The margin between salty and freshwater is set to no degree. This is dependent upon the recharge and usage of an aquifer. Groundwater pollution poses a severe threat to the city’s residents. Results from the physio-chemical analysis of the water samples confirm the presence of arsenic in excessive amounts in water samples and are outside the limits set by the WHO and NDWQS. Just two out of 10 samples are within the limits for safe drinking water. The results of this research are valued for groundwater management and the installation of tubular wells in freshwater areas for households and irrigation purposes.

Author Biographies

Waqas Shafiq, Institute of Geology, University of the Punjab Lahore, 54590 Pakistan

MPhil Student at Institute of Geology

 university  of Punjab Lahore

Hadayat Ullah Khan, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Hazara University Mansehra, 21300 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Lecturer at Department of Geology

Hazara University Mansehra Pakistan

Muhammad Zaheer, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Hazara University Mansehra, 21300 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Assistant professor at Department of Geology

Hazara University Mansehra

Mubashir Mehmood, Department of Geology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, 23200, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; Department of Earth Sciences, Quaid -e- Azam University Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan

Lecturer at Department of Geology

Abdul Wali Khanuniversity Mardan

Muhammad Jahagir Khan, Institute of Geology, University of the Punjab Lahore, 54590 Pakistan

Research Assistant at Punjab University Lahore

Centre of GIS

Saad Ahmed Mashwani, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Hazara University Mansehra, 21300 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Lecturer at Department of Geology

Hazara University Mansehra 

Sami Ullah, Institute of Geology, University of the Punjab Lahore, 54590 Pakistan

PhD scholar at Punjab University Lahore Pakistan

Institute of Geology

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Published

2021-06-23

How to Cite

Shafiq, W., Ullah Khan, H., Zaheer, M., Mehmood, M., Farooq, U., Khan, M. J., Mashwani, S. A., & Ullah, S. (2021). Aquifer Characterization and Physiochemical Analysis of District Dera Ghazi Khan Punjab, Pakistan. Rudarsko-geološko-Naftni Zbornik, 36(3). https://doi.org/10.17794/rgn.2021.3.4

Issue

Section

Geology

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