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Groundwater characteristics using geophysical, geospatial, and hydrogeological studies in Peshawar Basin, Pakistan

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Abstract

Climate-induced water scarcity is a growing problem in semi-arid regions like Peshawar basin, Pakistan. The present study integrates geophysical, pumping test, and physicochemical and geospatial datasets to categorize the stressed aquifer in Peshawar Basin, a part of “One Belt one road system”. Previous studies in the area have solely focused on water quality deterioration using geochemical tools only. The present study integrates multiple tools to assess the interaction of the surface and subsurface water. Furthermore, the study provides a controlled tool prediction mechanism for aquifer transmissivity instead of cost-effective pumping test. The results are achieved by utilizing 13 Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) points, pumping data of 16 wells, and physiochemical data of 108 surface and groundwater samples. The spatio-temporal variations of hydraulic properties using inverse distance weightage tool (IDW) played a role for zonation. An unconfined quaternary alluvial aquifer was identified with thickness ranging 6.32–341 m comprising of gravels whose thickness is decreasing towards the eastern part in the study area. The high values of longitudinal conductance and weak-to-moderate protective capacity marks the vulnerable aquifer in Maini, Kotha and Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate. The data also revealed increased clay content in eastern part of study area resulting in decreased Transmissivity and Specific Capacity. Increased Total Dissolved Solvents (TDS) in post-monsoon water samples is contributed by high clay content. The spatio-temporal variations of parameters helped in differentiation of the anthropogenic and geogenic sources of contamination. The physiochemical and microbial analysis concluded that water of the area is not suitable for drinking, as results are exceeding the WHO guidelines. The results can be judiciously used in planning and development of the groundwater resources in Quaternary basins of the world.

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The data is available with the first author Mrs. Sidra Daud and can be provided upon request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Head of Department, Department of Earth sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus for provision of facilities to conduct the research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan

    Sidra Daud & Mona Lisa

  2. Department of Meteorology, COMSATS University Islamabad, Park Road, Tarlai Kalan, Islamabad, 45550, Pakistan

    Umair Bin Nisar

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Abbottabad, 22010, Pakistan

    Sidra Daud, Javed Iqbal Tanoli & Muhammad Ali

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  1. Sidra Daud
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Contributions

Mrs Sidra and Dr. Umair Conceived the idea and prepared the initial draft. Dr. Javed and Mr. Ali generated the figures. Mrs. Sidra, Dr. Umair and Mr.Ali carried out the analysis. Dr. Monalisa contributed in final text.

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Correspondence to Umair Bin Nisar.

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Daud, S., Lisa, M., Nisar, U.B. et al. Groundwater characteristics using geophysical, geospatial, and hydrogeological studies in Peshawar Basin, Pakistan. Environ Earth Sci 83, 200 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-024-11462-z

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