Hydrogeochemical features of the North Ossetian artesian basin

Abstract

Relevance. The problem of drinking water is very vulnerable to the urban areas of the planet. Groundwater of the North Ossetian artesian basin today is one of the main sources providing the population of the Republic with fresh water. At the same time, the underground waters of the basin are vulnerable, poorly protected from anthropogenic impact. The presence on the territory of North Ossetia-Alania of mining, metallurgical, and other enterprises negatively affects the quality of groundwater. The article discusses its current state. The aim of the work is to study the impact of the ground water use in the North Ossetian artesian basin and its hydrogeochemical parameters. Methods. Hydrological and hydrochemical studies conducted in recent years in hydrogeological wells, which were drilled to supply the population and industrial enterprises of the capital in republic show that the quality of groundwater meets the requirements for drinking water. Results. The change in the quality of artesian waters of the basin occurs under the influence of the intensity of their extraction, both directly from the basin and in the recharge zone of the aquifer. At the Redant field, a decrease in the level of exploited aquifer is noted. The location of the Ordzhonikidze field (above Redant) contributes to a low level of sulfide water output on the surface. The high intensity of exploitation leads to a decrease in the water level in the productive aquifer, which leads to a mixed content of mineral waters and water in which there is a salt content, which changes the ionic composition of groundwater, and their outflow towards the formation of rukhsdzuar aquifer complexes of the Ossetian artesian basin. Great influence on the chemical composition of water has a patternless exploitation of the aquifer in the north-eastern part of Vladikavkaz.