Preliminary assessment of groundwater hydrogeochemistry within Gilan, a northern province of Iran

In four basins of Gilan province, groundwater samples were collected from 127 piezometric wells to investigate the hydrogeochemistry of groundwater, and additionally its suitability for drinking and irrigation purposes. The average concentrations of major cations and anions follow the order of Ca²⁺ > Na⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺ and [Formula: see text], respectively. Using Piper diagram delineation, CaMgHCO₃ was determined as the main hydrogeochemical facies of groundwater. According to Piper diagrams, Gibbs plots, and ionic ratios, silicate weathering and ion exchange are the major processes regulating the groundwater hydrochemistry. Furthermore, saturation indices (SIs) revealed that carbonate precipitation also plays an important role in aquifers. Among the processes, weathering of silicate minerals seems to be the dominant process. Comparing the analyzed major ions and physicochemical parameters with the WHO guideline values indicates that the potability of most groundwater samples is generally acceptable. Electrical conductivity (EC) and total dissolved solid (TDS) measurements along with sodium percentage (SP), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Kelley's index (KI), and residual sodium carbonate (RSC) calculations suggest that groundwater in many areas is suitable for irrigation use. Nonetheless, total hardness (TH) values ranging as high as 650.0 mg/l reveal many groundwater samples to be classified as hard and very hard, indicating a requirement for long-term monitoring and further evaluation. The present study shows that the groundwater quality in Lahijan, Astaneh, and to a lesser extent Fouman drainage basins is lower than in Talesh. Therefore, intense monitoring programs towards enhanced water management practices are recommended before poorer quality groundwater is further utilized.

The crystal and molecular structure of NaBF3OH

The crystal and molecular structure of sodium hydroxytrifluoborate, NaBF3OH, has been established by X-ray analysis. This compound crystallizes in the hexagonal system, space group P63 with cell parameters a = 8.084 Å and c = 7.958 Å. There are 6 molecules in the unit cell. Atomic parameters have been obtained from a block-diagonal least-squares refinement using anisotropic temperature parameters for boron and fluorine, and isotropic temperature parameters for sodium. The final agreement residual for 195 observed reflections is R = 0.090.The [BF3OH]− anions are distorted tetrahedra. It was not possible to distinguish between the positions of the fluorine atoms and the isoelectronic hydroxyl group.

Crystal and molecular structure of CuSiF6•4H2O

The structure of CuSiF6•4H2O has been shown to consist of chains of [Cu(H2O)4F2] and [SiF6] octahedra linked through a common fluorine atom. The space group is monoclinic P21/a, with cell dimensions a = 7.22 ± 0.01 Å, b = 9.64 ± 0.01 Å, c = 5.36 ± 0.01 Å and β = 105.2 ± 0.3°. There are 2 molecules in the unit cell and the copper and silicon atoms occupy centers of symmetry. Atomic parameters have been obtained from a block diagonal least squares refinement using anisotropic temperature parameters. The final agreement residual for 574 observed reflections is R = 0.083.

The existence of salts of the oxyfluoborate ion [BF3O]2−

The soluble hydrated oxyfluoborates previously reported as "CuBF3O•5H2O" and "ZnBF3O•7H2O" are now believed to be the fluosilicates CuSiF6•4H2O and ZnSiF6•6H2O. The insoluble anhydrous oxyfluoborates of Sr, Ba, and Pb could not be prepared.

Crystal structures of potassium, ammonium, rubidium, and cesium tetrafluoborates

The crystal structures of potassium, ammonium, and rubidium tetrafluoborates have been redetermined. The structure of cesium tetrafluoborate has also been established. These 4 compounds are isomorphous and show orthorhombic symmetry, space group Pbnm. Atomic parameters have been obtained from a block diagonal least squares refinement using anisotropic temperature parameters. The final agreement residuals for observed reflections were KBF4, R = 0.072; NH4BF4, R = 0.075; RbBF4, R = 0.064; and CsBF4, R = 0.051.There are significant differences between some of the B—F bond distances in the [BF4]− ions. The shortest N—(H)F distance in NH4BF4 is 2.914 Å (estimated standard deviation 0.005 Å) which is long for a hydrogen bond. The positions of the hydrogen atoms in the NH4+ ion could not be established.