Hydrogeological and hydrochemical investigation in the Burdur Saline Lake Basin, southwest Turkey

The Burdur Saline Lake Basin is semi-closed and it is situated in the southwest of Turkey. This saline and highly alkaline lake has a tectonic origin. Alluvium represents the most important aquifer and other aquifer is granular and karstic in nature. In the present study, we collected 35 groundwater samples and analyzed them to characterize the groundwater chemistry and investigate hydrogeochemical processes. Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO32 and SO42- are the dominant ions and the samples are grouped into different hydrochemical facies such as Ca-HCO3, Ca-Mg-HCO3, Mg-Ca-HCO3, Na-Mg-SO4 and Na-SO4-HCO3. Limestone, silicate and gypsum controlled the groundwater chemistry through reverse ion exchange, dissolution of carbonates and silicate weathering. Presence of more iron, arsenic and boron in the groundwater is geogenic. The statistical analysis, i.e. R-mode factor, determined interrelationships within the chemical data through five factors accounting 85.32 % of the total variance of the dataset. Factor 1 is represented by strong loadings of EC, TDS, Mg2+, Na+, SO42-, As and B, and moderate loadings of K+ and Cl-. Factor 2 has strong positive loadings for Ca and CO3-, and moderate negative loading for pH. Factor 3 has strong positive loadings for Zn and has moderate positive loading for Cl-. Factor 4 has strong negative loadings for T (degrees C), and has moderate positive loadings for pH and K+. Factor 5 has strong positive loadings for HCO3- and has moderate positive loading for Fe. Geochemical variables of Factors 1, 2, 4 and 5 represented the natural hydrogeochemical processes like water-rock interaction. The variables present in factor 3 reflected the anthropogenic effects in the Burdur Lake Basin.