Investigation of physicochemical effects and the possibility of eutrophication by implementing a water transfer project from Nargesi Dam to Parishan Wetland , Iran

Parishan International Wetland in Fars Province, Iran, has been dried up since 2009. The restoration plan is underway by transferring water from Nargesi dam. The aim of this study was to investigate the physicochemical effects of water transfer from and the possibility of eutrophication in Parishan Wetland. Sampling was done from the active springs and Shirinrood river (behind Nargesi dam). Physicochemical parameters were measured and compared with wet years of the wetland. The average EC of Nargesi Dam and the average EC of wetland water after water transfer, were calculated with an annual input of 15 million m 3 . The results showed, with the entry of water from Nargesi dam in rainy months, after 7–10 years of EC, salinity, hardness and TDS of the wetland will reach the long-term period of the wetland in wet times. After this period, if water input from the dam continues, the water of the wetland will be saltier at the rate of 0.25–0.27 g/l per year, and after 10 years, the salinity will be 2.5–2.7 g/l, which does not create ecosystem contradictions and due to the euryhaline nature of Parishan wetland aquatic animals, it will not have negative ecological effects on the inhabitants. Despite the concentration of nitrate and phosphate in the two water sources, due to the high pH and alkalinity of the wetland water, as it was in the wet years, these two nutrients are not limiting factors for production, but due to the high pH and high alkalinity, eutrophication will not occur.