I am working on groundwater chemistry data and my ionic balance values are too big. How do I know which ions (anions or cations) have been over-estimated? And, how do I correct the values to get data with good quality for my analysis?
Thanks in anticipation.
Mirabel, water quality values generated form laboratory analyses should never be altered to suit your objective. In accordance with international standards, results with ionic balance errors greater that 5 % should be rejected (Appelo and Postma 1999). Therefore, for the purposes of your research, I suggest that if the ionic balance values that exceeded the 5% are not many, then you either have them analysed again or deleted from your data. If however, most of your data have the ionic balances exceeding the 5% margin then, I am afraid you may have to re-analyze the whole batch and this time making sure you follow the protocols of analysis properly in order to avoid unnecessary analytical errors. To justify my suggestions, I need not remind you that, any sample you take from a water source (following sampling protocols) is deemed to be a representation of the entire water resource and therefore the expectation is that, your interpretation, conclusions, and recommendations should inform future management approach and government polices towards the efficient and sustainable management of the resource.
DR Mirabel: Ground water level can be increased by ground water conservation and control use of water.
Employ rain water harvesting techniques: see for example https://www.watercache.com/education/rainwater-harvesting-101.
Minimize use of water and impose higher water rates for big water consumption.
Article Hydrochemical evaluation of groundwater quality of the Tista...
Regards--
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Correction