Hydrochemistry of Groundwater in Northeast Part of Anbar Governorate – West of Iraq

Hussein Ilaibi Zamil Al-Sudani

doi:10.21123/bsj.16.1.0088

Abstract

A groundwater quality assessment has been carried out in northeast part of Anbar governorate in western Iraq. We analyzed hydrochemical parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids presence of ions to describe groundwater quality. The study area has the only confined aquifer within the geological formation extended in area. Values of groundwater hydrochemical parameters were ranged from (7) to (7.9) for ph, (1599) to (6800) µmhos/cm for electrical conductivity (EC) and (1048) to (4446) mg/l for total dissolved solids (TDS). The origins and types of groundwater in the area were of marine origin and MgCl2 water type while only (6) samples were of continental origin and Na2SO4 water type. Groundwater utilization indicated that it can't be used for drinking purposes, while few groundwater wells can be used for agricultural and (33) groundwater samples can be used for animal purposes. However, the nature of the soil in the area and the depth of the groundwater qualified water for agricultural uses in significant and wide ranges.

Highlights

Mankind depends on clean water for many purposes
The earlier studies that have been done in the western desert were hydrogeology of groundwater aquifers in the Western Desert-west and southwest of the Petroleum Technology Department- University of Technology, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Baghdad, Iraq
It can be seen that geological water bearing formations in the western part of area consist of Tayarat, Umm Er-Radhuma and Dammam formations, especially in the northwestern part of the area as shown in Fig.[4] sections A,B and C

Summary

Introduction

Groundwater quality is one of the important components in the development of any area. The use of water in many regions has increased due with human population growth (1). Groundwater becomes a primary and an important resource in many areas of the world, so it is important to study its quality and quantity to identify its suitability for drinking, irrigation, industrial and other usages (2). The earlier studies that have been done in the western desert were hydrogeology of groundwater aquifers in the Western Desert-west and southwest of the Euphrates River (6), assessment of groundwater resources in Iraq and management of their use (7), transboundary aquifers between Iraq and neighboring countries (8), hydrogeological study of Khan Al-Baghdadi area in Anbar governorate West of Iraq (9), and the influence of Structural Factors on Groundwater System - West of Iraq (10)

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Results