WITHDRAWN: Qualitative estimation for groundwater: A case study for Al-Mahaweel city in Iraq

Abstract

Risk assessment for heavy metal concentrations in groundwater samples extracted from thirteen wells distributed over the study area in Al-Mahaweel city in Iraq was investigated intensively in this work. The potential risks for drinking water was evaluated by means of different indices, namely; Water Quality Index (WQI), Heavy metals Pollution Index (PHI), and Heavy metal Evaluation Index (HEI). The groundwater pollution with Lead (Pb), Nickel (Ni), Cadmium (Cd), Zink (Zn), and Iron (Fe) were analytically analyzed throughout the study. The results show that presence (expressed by concentration units) distributed within study area in the following order Cd < Pb < Fe < Zn < Ni. Based upon the WQI results, the groundwater from wells was considered unsuitable for drinking. From perspective of heavy metal pollution indices, HPI, and HEI, contamination level was declared as low level. On the other hand, irrigation water assessment was carried out and calculations of three factors, namely Electrical Conductivity (EC), Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), and Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP) were performed. The findings showed that, quality of irrigation water varies from “permissible” to “unsuitable”. These inferences probably resulted from human activates such as leached from landfills and percolation to groundwater from septic tanks. In addition to the alkali nature of agricultural soil in study area. In particular, presence of these elements in silicate rock to form minerals and advanced are transported into the mineral part of soils.