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Abstract:

The gypsum formations in Iran are mainly Upper Red (URF), Gachsaran (GF), and Sachun. The GF is divided into salt (SGF) and its non-salt equivalents (NSGF). The conductivity of the spring’s water in Sachun, URF and NSGF is below 3500 mS cm21, but the conductivity of the SGF varies from 2400 to 400,000 mS cm21. Three different sites, Tangsorkh (NSGF), Ambal and Salbiz (SGF), were selected for further studies. The Tangsorkh area is composed of alternating units of marlstone and gypsum. The hydraulic connections between these units are broken by the marls and no sub-aquifer is developed in the gypsum units due to their small catchment area and lack of karst development. The Ambal area, adjacent to the large Karun River, consists of units of marl, anhydrite, and halite. Sinkholes cover all parts of the area. Contact of Karun River with the Amble ridge causes the chemistry of the river to evolve from bicarbonate type to chloride type. The presence of the Karun River inside this ridge formed a network of karstic conduits and sinkholes, which causes the marly layers to collapse such that the Ambal area cannot be considered to have several independent subaquifers. The Salbiz site is composed of alternating units of marl-marlstone and gypsum without any sinkholes or exposed salt layers. It consists of independent sub-aquifers with general flow directions parallel to the strike. The study indicates that the GF is mainly composed of small independent sub-aquifers due to its alternative marl or marlstone layers, resulting water flows parallel to the strike, except in the SGF under specific conditions.