From the arithmetic mean values of different ions that predict the most effective ions affecting the salinity level, the obtained data of Pleistocene aquifer show that the effective ions that cause an increase of water salinity are in the orders:
  Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg ²⁺ as cations, HCO₃^-> Cl^-> SO₄^2- as anions
As a result of cation exchange processes, the increase of Na⁺ concentration and decrease in Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ in solution, lead to a considerable decrease in salts causing temporary and permanent hardness in form of CaMg(HCO₃)₂ and CaMgSO₄ salts, respectively.
While causing a considerable increase in water salinity but no change in pH and HCO₃^- content because each mole of Ca²⁺ or Mg²⁺ adsorbed is replaced by 2 moles of Na⁺. The loss of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ decreases the degree of water saturation with respect to both carbonate and gypsum minerals in Pleistocene aquifer. The total and permanent hardness increase with increasing water salinity and vice versa in case of temporary hardness.
On the other hand the leaching and dissolution and cation exchange processes. Both processes lead to the increase in soluble salts (NaCl and Na₂SO₄) which is more than that of hardness salts MgSO₄, CaSO₄, MgCl₂, CaCl₂, Mg (HCO₃)₂ and Ca (HCO₃)₂.