Hydrogeochemistry, water quality and health risk assessment of water resources contaminated by agricultural activities in Korkuteli (Antalya, Turkey) district center

Groundwater is a major water source for drinking, domestic and agricultural activities in the Korkuteli district. However, the intensive agricultural activities in the region negatively affect the groundwater quality. In this study, 30 water samples were collected from springs, wells, and tap waters in dry and wet seasons. Ca-Mg-HCO3 and Mg-Ca-HCO3 were dominant water types in the study area. According to the Gibbs diagrams, which were prepared to determine the mechanism controlling the groundwater geochemistry, samples from both seasons fell in the rock-dominance zone. The water quality index indicates the increase of ion concentrations due to the agricultural effect along with the rainwater in the region. Also, according to WHO standards, water samples are not appropriate to use as drinking water in terms of the heavy metal and fertilizers analysis results. In terms of the irrigation usage, most groundwater samples are suitable in dry and wet seasons. According to HCO3 and SO4 results, the mentioned samples can induce incrustation on metal surfaces and therefore are not recommended for industrial use. Groundwater chemistry in the study area is affected with water-rock interaction and dense agricultural activities. In conclusion, the study area is at high risk in terms of the health risk assessment.