Abstract
The aim of this work is to present the hydrochemical mechanisms describing the system of the Euphrates River before and after mixing with groundwater from the springs of Hijlan (western Iraq). Continuously, the data generated from these springs water have been adapted to provide an updated assessment for future water therapeutic purposes. Physicochemical characteristics of water in the mixing plume of Hijlan Creek and Euphrates indicate the multi Hydrochemical plumes as revealed by the spatial variation of important parameters related to the ecological parameters including K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3−, SO42−, Cl−, NO3−, PO43−, Pb, Zn, Cd, Fe, Mn, Temp, DO, BOD5, H2S, Turbidity, EC, pH, and TDS. The re-aeration (k2) and de-oxygenation rate (k1) coefficients, as well as the self-purification factor (f) of the mixing plume, are 0.51, 2.03 and 0.25 s−1, respectively. The Cl− concentration in the confluence zone changes, due to the chloride content mixing rates of 7.1 and 92.9% for Euphrates and Hijlan creek water, respectively, with water discharge of 316,224 m3/day and chloride load discharge of 420 tons/day. The assessment of the water quality indicates unsuitability for aquaculture purposes. However, the water can be used for therapeutic purposes and to cure multiple diseases.
Highlights
Environmental concerns are growing with variations in water resource pollutants
This study focuses on an active hydrodynamic confluence zone with a water residence time of < 5 minutes, which is subjected to mixing of the water discharges of Hijlan Creek (316,224 m3/day) and Euphrates River (5.7 x 106 m3/day)
A mass transport plume of minero-medicinal water was detected at a distance of 150 meters from the mouth of the confluence, which acts as a single point source of 1020 tons/day discharge for total dissolved load into receiving water
Summary
Environmental concerns are growing with variations in water resource pollutants. Numerous rivers are vulnerable to disasters due to the increase of pollutants (Gurnell et al, 2020; Muwafaq et al, 2020). Increased human activities and natural resources (groundwater and spring water) flowing into rivers make it necessary to evaluate the current water quality of rivers and predict potential improvements (Gao et al, 2019; FregosoLópez et al, 2020). A feasible program of field monitoring was conducted to obtain the ambient water quality data in the mixing zone of the Euphrates, which was formed in a restricted confluence region due to Hijlan creek discharge. This study is an attempt to determine the characteristics of the Euphrates River water before and after mixing with Hijlan springs creek (statistical and spatial evaluation). The variation of the concentration of chemical components within the deterioration plume, the aeration phenomenon using the dissolved oxygen concentration, the possibility of using spring mineral water for therapeutic purposes, recreation after improvement, and environmental regulation of the Hijlan Creek are investigated
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