Investigating changes in water quality of the Karun River using landsat 8 satellite data

Examining the changes in the water quality parameters of the Karun River using satellite data and determining the modified quality indicators can be used to assess the vulnerability of irrigation water. In this research, the data of seven qualitative parameters: Na+, SAR, pH, Cl-, HCO3-, EC and TDS were used in six water measuring stations of Abbaspur, Ahvaz, Farsiat, Gotvand, Molasani and Soosan of the Karun River (1392-1398) and NSFWQI general water quality index was calculated. Correlation relationship and estimation errors were determined for two principal component reduction (PCA) and multivariate linear correlation methods. The results showed that multivariate correlation method is more suitable. The coefficient of determination for the seven water quality parameters was calculated as 0.44, 0.43, 0.03, 0.43, 0.09, 0.45 and 0.46 respectively, and for the NSFWQI index it was calculated as 0.46. The statistical correlation for pH and HCO3- is at a very low level; but for the other five parameters and the NSFWQI index, it is in average state. The significance level of estimation for Na+, SAR, Cl-, HCO3-, EC and TDS parameters is acceptable (P<0.001), and for pH is unacceptable (P<0.122). In general, there is an acceptable correlation between the bands extracted through the Landsat 8 satellite and most of the quality parameters of the Karun River, but necessary actions are proposed to improve the correlation relationships. Also, the NSFWQI index shows that the quality of water in the Karun River along the Khuzestan plain is not good enough.