Physico-Chemical Properties of Groundwater In The Kabul Basin, Afghanistan

Abstract

The Kabul Basin groundwater physic-chemical parameters are variable from place to place. In Shomali, Deh Sabz, eastern front and eastern front subbasins and source areas, the chemical compositions of the groundwater are approximately similar with surface water. The temperature, pH specific conductivity, hardness and concentration of the total dissolved solids (TDS) measured in the Central Kabul subbasin groundwater were significantly greater than all groundwater samples collected from all other subbasins. Therefore, there is no upland area in the Central Kabul regions to help recharge through lateral groundwater inflows. Beside on the no upland area, rapid increase in population, sewage, agricultural fertilizers, and climate change, no systematic sewage treatment or refuse collection are the main factors which raise the groundwater impurity. The shallow groundwater generally has a weakly oxidising redox environment with oxygen depletion, which is probably caused by the sewage.