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