Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
MSc Graduate in Watershed Management, Department of Natural Resources Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran
2
Professor, Department of Natural Resources Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran
3
Assistant Professor, Department of Natural Resources Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran
4
Ph.D. Graduate in Watershed Management, Department of Natural Resources Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran
Abstract
This study aimed to analyze the natural and human factors influencing groundwater decline in the Nazdasht aquifer in northern Hormozgan Province. Groundwater data from six wells from 2002 to 2017, along with hydroclimatic information such as precipitation, temperature, evaporation, and discharge from regional meteorological and hydrometric stations, were examined. The Mann-Kendall and Pettitt tests, a non-parametric approach, were used to assess variable trends, while isohydric maps helped evaluate spatial changes in aquifer status. Land use changes were analyzed using Landsat satellite imagery with supervised classification to assess human impacts. Results indicated a significant decreasing trend in groundwater levels across the entire Nazdasht area, with declines estimated between about 33 and over 48 meters. The Pettitt test identified a hydrogeological regime shift around 2010-2013. Climatic analysis revealed increasing trends in precipitation, temperature, and evaporation at some stations, while river discharge decreased despite rising precipitation—suggesting reduced baseflow due to lower water tables. Land use and water extraction data indicated that more wells, expanded agriculture, and increased groundwater extraction exerted substantial pressure on the aquifer. Overall, the study shows that human activities, especially agriculture and groundwater pumping, are the primary drivers of water level decline, posing risks of land subsidence and threatening the region’s water resource sustainability.
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