Hydrogeology of Karabağ village (Kağızman-Kars) environment and evaluation of groundwater quality

This study aims to evaluate the quantity and quality status of groundwater in Karabağ village (Kağızman-Kars), using the water quality index, and to offer solutions to the problems, if any. Geological map was prepared, hydrogeological and hydrochemical studies were carried out. In the area, there are Campanian-Maastrichtian aged ultramafic rocks, pelagic limestone, Kağızman Complex composed of metamorphic rocks, Late Eocene aged Kavakdağı Limestones, Late Miocene aged conglomerate, sandstone, siltstone and gypsum Tuzluca Formation, Mescitli Formation and Early Pleistocene . It crops out along alluviums, talus, terraces and stream beds. Hydrogeologically important units are the Meliks Basalt, terraces and alluviums. Alluviums with free aquifer properties consist of clay, silt, sand, gravel and block materials of various sizes. It was determined that the groundwater flowed towards the Aras River. In terms of hydrogeochemical, physical-chemical, heavy metal, microbiological and radioactivity evaluations were made and the EI value was determined between 214-328 μS/cm in the springs, 214-1493 μS/cm in the wells, and the pH value between 6.94-8.38. It has been determined that heavy metals such as Fe, Mn, Hg, Se, As, Al, Ni, Zn and Fe are high and the waters are not suitable for drinking water standards in terms of microbiology. According to the Water Quality Index (WQI) values, Haznedar, Şahindere, Bayam wells and Haznedar spring water are in the "not suitable for drinking water" class, Karabakh well and Aras River are in the "very weak water" class, and Şahindere and Karabakh springs are in the "good water" class.