Identification of salinity sources in groundwater at Golgohar Mine using self-organizing maps (SOM) and correlation analysis: a hydrogeochemical and isotopic approach, south-central Iran.

Understanding the hydrogeological regime and identifying the sources of salinity in mine pits are crucial for effective groundwater management and mining operations. This study investigates the hydrogeochemistry of the Golgohar Mines in south-central Iran, focusing on Mine Pit No. 2 and the Kheirabad Salt Pan, using a multi-proxy approach that includes Self-Organizing Maps (SOM), Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA), hydrochemical diagrams, and stable isotopic analysis (δH, δO) and tritium.