FEATURES OF ECOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF SHORT RIVERS OF IRAQ
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Abstract
Groundwater and the seasonal Al-Teeb River are the main sources of water in the study area, which has an arid to semi-arid climate. The hydrochemical study included the analysis of major cations and anions, trace elements and physical properties; total dissolved solids (TDS) and pH for 16 groundwater samples and 4 river water samples for the period 2014-2015.
Groundwater samples were taken from 14 wells in a Quaternary unconfined aquifer, in addition to 2 well samples in a Tertiary delimited aquifer. Water from the river and groundwater from the Quaternary aquifer is classified as moderately brackish water according to TDS, while groundwater from the Tertiary aquifer is less saline and some wells are classified as fresh water. Moreover, the type of water for most of the samples is sodium sulfate.
Chemical analyzes of trace elements in all samples show an increase in lead, nickel and cadmium concentrations above their regulatory limits according to World Health Organization and Iraqi standards, while iron and manganese exceed their standard limits in some samples. Classification according to the Peiper diagram shows that the type of water for all samples is alkaline with a high content of alkalis (Na2+ + K+) and prevailing sulfate and chloride ions. These results are the same for both surface and underground samples over two seasons.
Subject of study: Hydrochemical research analysis of basic cations and anions, trace elements and physical properties for short rivers in Iraq
Materials and methods: Sixteen groundwater samples were collected over two seasons. The first set was collected during the dry season in October 2014; and the second set was collected during the rainy season in April 2015. 14 well samples represent a Quaternary aquifer and 2 artesian well samples represent a restricted Tertiary aquifer. In addition, 4 surface water samples were taken from the Al-Teeb River in October 2014, and only one sample was taken from one site in April 2015 when the river dried up. For sampling purposes, one liter bottles for anion and cation analysis and a 30 ml bottle for trace element analysis were prepared after adding one drop of HNO3 acid; to acidify a water sample to a pH value less than 2. Laboratory tests included pH measurement; electrical conductivity (EC); total dissolved solids (TDS); as well as chemical analyzes of the main ions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl–, SO2– and HCO–). In addition, analyzes of some trace elements (Fe, Mn, Pb, Ni, Cd, Zn and Cu) were carried out.
Results: the water is mostly unsuitable for human use and for industrial and construction purposes, but it is suitable for livestock and is acceptable for irrigation, with the exception of two samples from the tertiary aquifer, which are almost suitable for all purposes except human consumption.
Conclusions: All water samples are unsuitable for human drinking, either due to high salinity or elevated trace element concentrations above the standard limit for human consumption. In addition, water samples are not suitable for industrial and construction purposes, since each sample contains a certain elevated chemical component, while it is suitable for use in animal husbandry. For irrigation purposes, it is suitable for salt-tolerant and very salt-tolerant plants.
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