The Dibdibba aquifer system at Safwan–Zubair area, southern Iraq, hydrogeology and environmental situation

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study the environment and hydrogeology of the Dibdibba aquifer system in the Safwan–Zubair area, southern Iraq, in relation to the study area’s geology and anthropogenic activities. Ten groundwater samples were collected from Safwan–Zubair. Geochemical data, AquaChem, and GIS ArcMap (10.1) were used as tools to identify natural and anthropogenic factors that affect geochemical data. We analyzed water samples for major cations and anions, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), total uranium (TU), and heavy metals (Pb, Ni, Cr, Cd, V, Zn, As, Se, Cu, Fe, Mn) as well as the metalloid B. Groundwater composition in the area of study is classified into six types: Ca–Mg–Cl, Ca–Mg–Na–Cl, Ca–Mg–Cl–SO4, Ca–Mg–Na–Cl–SO4, Ca–Na–Mg–SO4–Cl, and Mg–Ca–Cl–SO4. The groundwater is influenced by natural factors, particularly the concentrations of TU and major ions. The concentrations of TU and major ions in some water samples exceed limits for drinking water; however, the average of all examined heavy metals, except for Fe and B, was within the limits for drinking water, as well as the concentrations of PAHs. The potential use of this groundwater for drinking and irrigation is discussed.