Assessment of the Groundwater of UmErdhuma-Tayarat Aquifer for Various Purposes and Uses

Introduction: A groundwater quality investigation has been carried out within Kasra-Nukhaib district (west Iraq), The physicochemical analyses of twenty-four groundwater samples collected from UmErdhuma-Tayarat Aquifer are used in the determination of groundwater assessment for various uses supported by standard limits for various purposes. In the interiors area restricted to Habbariyia-Nukhaib depression, UmErdhuma-Tayarat aquifer is of unconfined condition with saturation thickness ranged from ۵۲ to ۱۵۰ m. The amount of permeability for the water-bearing horizons of UmErdhuma-Tayarat aquifer ranged between ۰.۱ m/day and ۱۴.۷ m/day. Materials and Methods: The groundwater monitoring program in ۲۴ wells was carried out within the scope of the Habariyia depression during the ۲۰۱۳ water year. The coordinates are set by Garmin GPS. Conceptual spatial hydrochemical bi-model was prepared for quantitative and qualitative interpretation. The hydrochemical results are correlated with the standard classifications to determine the hydrogeochemical phenomena for groundwater use. The sodium percent of the groundwater samples on the Wilcox diagram indicates that the Groundwater is good to permissible quality for irrigation uses in the twenty-one percentile, of the samples, doubtful to unsuitable in sixty-seven percentile and unsuitable in twelve percentile. Results: SAR values on Richards diagram show that ۵۰% of the water samples are classified as admissible to good quality for irrigation. The other water samples are classified as bad to very bad. The results showed that the groundwater of the UmErdhuma-Tayarat aquifer has precedence for irrigation, agricultural purposes, animal drinking, and fair class for natural preserve activities, while the groundwater of the aquifer is not suggested for direct drinking purposes. In addition, the groundwaters within the hydrogeologic system can be used in low-pressure boilers, mining, construction industry, and unsafe in high-pressure boilers. Conclusions: Saturated indices of gypsum and anhydrite confirm that the groundwater is still active to leach sulfate ions from theb gypsum and anhydrite minerals phase. The concentration of magnesium and calcium are originated from the weathering of carbonate and evaporite rocks (limestone, dolomite, and gypsum). In the majority of the groundwater samples, each borehole sampled had at least one constituent that exceeded the Human drinking-water standard set by World Health Organization, and Maximum Contaminant Levels set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Concentrations of TDS, HT, and major ions exceed the desirable limit in most samples and require treatment before its utilization. Suitable water treatment processes such as water softening, ion exchange, and demineralization should be applied to reduce the concentration of ions. The analyzed parameters of the water samples are within the prescribed limits for animal drinking purposes, therefore, the groundwater is potable for use and classified as good to fair class for natural preserve activities. Quality assessment for irrigation suitability confirms that the groundwater belongs to the moderate class and can be used for irrigation. High values of salinity, residual sodium carbonate, sodium adsorption ratio, and sodium percent at some sites restrict the suitability of groundwater for agricultural purposes and demands special management plans for the area. The Corrosivity ratio indicates that ۷۵% of exploited groundwater from boreholes is unsafe for long-distance transportation through metallic pipelines.

Keywords:

Groundwater uses , hydrochemical criteria , Standards limits , Groundwater quality