Assessment of Irrigation Water Quality Parameters of Water Resources used to Irrigate Agricultural Fields of Alemdar Neighborhood of Konya Çumra District

Water quality and soil salinity are among the most important issues to consider in sustainable agricultural production. In recent years, water resources have been under great pressure due to both the negative effects of climate change and increasing water demands. Groundwater resources, which playa crucial role in water resources, are deteriorating both in quality and quantity over time. Such a case is particularly evident in basins such as the Konya Closed Basin. Irrigation carries dissolved salts into the soil. Depending on the characteristics of the water source, salinity and alkalinity problems may arise overtime in irrigated areas, and if no measures are taken, these problems can reach levels that restrict or eliminate agricultural production [1]. [2] took monthly water samples from the surface and different depths in three sampling points of Boztepe Recai Kutan Reservoir Lake in Malatya province to determine the water quality of the reservoir lake and analyzed temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and electrical conductivity parameters and indicated water quality class of the reservoir lake as Class II (good quality water). [3] indicated that in modern irrigation systems, the quality of irrigation water is as important as the amount of irrigation water, irrigation time, and irrigation method. When sufficient and good-quality water is not available, water that is unsuitable for irrigation is used. This increases the salinity problem in the soil. Therefore, in order to evaluate the water quality in the ponds used for irrigation in Hakkari province, water samples were taken from 10 irrigation ponds in June, July, August, and September. The water samples were analyzed for electrical conductivity (EC), pH, anions, and cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, SO₄²⁻, NO₃²⁻, CO₃²⁻, HCO₃⁻, and Cl⁻). Additionally, using the obtained data, the Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC), and Sodium Percentage (% Na) values were calculated. At the end of the study, it was determined that the pH, EC, SAR, RSC, and % Navalues of the irrigation pond waters did not exceed the threshold values, but the Mg+2 and K+ values of the pond water in the Kanatlı area of Akçalı Village and the K+ value of the pond water in the Şişer area of Kırıkdağ Village exceeded the threshold values. [4] conducted a study to evaluate the quality of water samples taken from irrigation wells used to irrigate agricultural fields in the Hatunsaray neighborhood of Meram district, Konya province. Researchers took water samples from the wells used for irrigation and also collected soil samples from the agricultural fields irrigated by these wells at depths of 0-30, 30-60, and 60-90 cm. It was determined that most of the soils in the region were loamy (L) and clay-loam (CL) in texture, with soil pH values ranging from 7.94 to 9.10 and ECvalues ranging from 242 to 857 µmhos/cm. ECvalues of the water samples ranged from 198 to 772 µmhos/cm, pH values ranged from 6.91 to 8.38, and water salinity class was identified as C S (moderately saline-low 2 1 alkaline). It was recommended that drainage systems should be constructed to prevent salinity problems in agricultural areas and the periodic maintenance and repair of existing drainage channels should be carried out and the necessary cultural measures should betaken to prevent potential salinity problems in the coming years. [5] conducted a study in the Biga Plain of Çanakkale province to analyze water samples taken from 20 wells for electrical conductivity (EC), pH, potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), Sodium (Na), Carbonate (CO ), Bicarbonate (HCO ), 3 3 Chloride (Cl), Sulfate (SO ), Nitrate (NO ), and Boron (B) parameters. When classified according to the Water Pollution 4 3 Control Regulation (SKKY) Classification System and considering the salinity parameter, 11 of the 20 wells were classified as second class, while the others were classified as first class. The study found that, apart from nitrate pollution in groundwater, no significant problems had yet emerged in the study area. [6] conducted a study in the Isparta Plain to examine the quality of irrigation water samples taken from 21 groundwater wells and found that the water quality in some of the wells was classified as C S (highly saline-low alkaline), while the water 3 1 quality in other wells was classified as C S (moderately saline-low alkaline). 2 1 [7] conducted a study to determine the irrigation water quality of water sources used in some agricultural lands in the Mersin-Mezitli district and the salinity level of agricultural lands irrigated with these waters. It was determined the pH values of irrigation water samples taken in July, August, September, and October ranged from 7.05 to 8.26, and the ECvalues ranged from 292 to 1103 µmhos/cm, the water samples were classified as C Sand C S irrigation water according to the US Salinity 2 1 3 1 Laboratory Classification System, falling into the medium and high salinity irrigation water categories, while boron levels were found to be below the optimal limit of 0.67 ppm in all samples. Additionally, the soils in the study area were found to be clay, loamy, and clay-loam in texture with pH values ranging from 7.38 to 7.95 and ECvalues ranging from 1985 to 3180 µmhos/cm in August. The soil salinity was found to be below the soil salinity threshold value of 4000 µmhos/cm. It was determined that there were no significant differences in quality or quantity in the water samples throughout the irrigation period (July-October), and that the soil samples did not pose any problems in terms of salinity and boron under the current conditions. [8] conducted a study to determine the impact of domestic and industrial wastes on the Nilüfer River. Researchers collected wastewater samples from the discharge points of five wastewater treatment plants discharging into the Nilüfer River and from the streams into which these plants discharge during four different periods between August 2013 – May 2014. The results of the study showed that the water quality parameters of the Nilüfer River and some of the wastewater treatment plants discharging into the Nilüfer River varied depending on the period. Based on the classification made considering ECand SAR,the water samples were categorized into C S-C S classes, and that the water parameters of the Nilüfer River before and after discharge 2 1 4 4 showed that the wastewater discharged from the treatment plants had a negative impact on the Nilüfer River, particularly in terms of pH, EC, ammonium, phosphorus, sulfate, boron, and chlorine values. [9] conducted a study in the Sultanhisar district of Aydın Province and found that the quality of water used for irrigation varied between C Sand C S classes over time, that the canal water used affected fruit quality, and that the boron content of these 2 1 3 1 waters was higher than that of the control group plants. [10] selected a total of 17 sampling sites along the Awash River and its tributaries and conducted sampling four times a year indifferent seasons to assess the water quality of the Awash River and its tributaries. Researchers assessed the overall water quality and suitability for irrigation using numerous water quality parameters such as pH, EC, SAR, RSC, Na+, K+, Ca++ , Mg++, CO 2−, HCO −, and Cl−. It was determined that all quality parameters in Lake Beseka exceeded the maximum permissible limits 3 3 for irrigation, the physicochemical characteristics of the Awash River showed variations indifferent water quality parameters across different sites. Only the pH and SAR of Beseka Lake and Meteka hot spring water exceeded the permitted limit, and the ECvalues in Mojo, Wonji, Beseka, Melkasedi, Werer, Ambash, Meteka, and Meteka hot springs showed medium-high salinity values, while the RSC was very high. It was recommended that wastewater treatment plants should be constructed for industries to improve water quality. Soil salinization and alkalinity are common processes that characterize arid areas in particular. These processes can be attributed to natural conditions or anthropogenic activities. Natural factors include climate, lithology, topography, and pedology, while human-induced factors are mostly related to agricultural land use and, in particular, irrigation. Over time, the extent of saline, alkaline, and saline-alkaline agricultural areas has increased, leading to accelerated land degradation and desertification, reduced agricultural productivity, and ultimately jeopardizing environmental and food security. Mapping and monitoring saline soils is an important management tool aimed at determining the extent and severity of salinization processes. Recent advances in remote sensing methods have increased the effectiveness of mapping and monitoring processes of saline soils. Knowledge on the prevention, reduction, and improvement of soil salinity and alkalinity has increased significantly overtime [11].