Assessment of the hydrogeochemical and isotopic characterization and hydraulic behavior of the Izeh complex karstic area, Khuzestan province, southwest Iran

Proper water resources management requires recognizing and evaluating the factors that affect quantity quality of resources. The Ilam-Sarvak (Upper Cretaceous) Asmari (Oligocene to Miocene) limestone- dolomite formations in Zagros structural belt have formed a promising karst groundwater horizon. In present study, hydraulic relationship between structures Izeh territory northeast Khuzestan province was investigated using hydrogeochemical isotopic information springs wells. results enabled understand various components influencing recharge this samples were collected from wells Mongasht, Shavish-Tanosh Kamarderaz anticlines Naal-e-Asbi (Horseshoe) syncline meteoric hydrochemical characterization, hydrogeological behavior system. analyzed determine major minor ion concentrations δ18O δ2H isotope ratios. Isotopic content ranged -31.6 -2.9‰ -6.32 -1.87‰ for δ18O, respectively, d-excess values high positive. study region shows three groups sources. first group, related Mongasht anticline springs, has lower values, indicating it is recharged by rainfall at altitudes snow melting. value second group richer than as well mixing (ex­amples anticline). highest third (samples anticline) attributed evaporation longer distance site discharge point, diffu­sion trend decrease Sr+2 increase Ba+2 dolomitic limestone (Shavish Ta­nosh anticlines) compared indicates possibility aquifers are there relation­ship these structures. D-excess show linear trend, illustrating effect altitude difference on changes concentration ions, groundwa­ter TDS indicate recharging (Shavish-Tanosh, aquifers) aquifer their connection.