Study of Groundwater Salinization in Chaj Doab Using Environmental Isotopes

摘要

Environmental isotopes and chemical composition of water have been used to studythe origin of groundwater salinity in Chaj Doab. Three important possible processes of salinization i.e. enrichment of salt content of water by evaporation, mixing with connate marine water and dissolution of salts from soil sediments have been investigated. No evidence for mixing with connate marine water could be found. The process of evaporation too does not seem to play any significant role in salinization of groundwater. The dissolution of salts from soil sediments appears as the dominant mechanism for increasing the salt content of water in this area.