This research was conducted to evaluate the contamination of some heavy metals including (Cadmium, Cupper, Lead, Nickel, Zink, Cobalt and Chromium) in the sediments of Sirwan/Diyala River. Sampling was conducted in different sites within the river banks, and four indices/factors including ecological risk factor (ER), enrichment factor (EF), contamination factor (CF), and geo-accumulation factor (Igeo) were used for this purpose. The result indicated that the concentrations of the observed metals were with the following order: Ni>Cr>Zn>Pb>Co>Cu>Cd. The values of enrichment factor were ranged from low of Co with a value of (EF = 1.12) to significant enrichment of Ni (EF = 9.13). However, the values of contamination factor indicated low contamination of sediments by Cu, Cd, Pb, Co and Zn with mean values of (0.74), (0.46), (0.49), (0.85) and (0.24) respectively, to significant contamination by Ni and Cr with mean values of (2.4) and (1) respectively. In terms of ecological risk factor, the average values of (Er) of all the observed elements were under low ecological risk category. The values of (Igeo) index for Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn and Co were under (unpolluted) category; while, Ni was under (unpolluted to moderate) category with a mean value of (0.61) and Cu fall under moderate category with a mean value of (1.04).

The aim of this paper was to study the kinetics of Boron adsorption by using kinetics concepts and different concentrations of Boron. A number of laboratory experiments were conducted on three samples of gypsum soils which were taken from some fields of Tikrit University and Al-Alam city. The soil samples contained different concentrations of gypsum low and medium with concentration of (62) g.kg-1 and (134) gm.kg-1 respectively from the College of Agriculture’s field at the University of Tikrit, and the third was high with a concentration of (241) gm.kg-1 from the Al-Alam city. Some physical and chemical properties of the soil samples were measured. The experiment included taking un-stimulated samples using plastic tubes and from sampling sites to obtain natural soil models, adding different concentrations of Boron to the soil and using kinetics equations to describe the adsorption of Boron. The most accurate description of Boron adsorption was the (Elovich equation). The treatment (0 mgB.L-1) gave a coefficient of determination of (0.9757) (0.9591) (0.9621) and a standard error of (1.605) (1.307) (1.429) for gypsum soils (low, medium and high) respectively. The treatment (20 mgB.L-1) gave a coefficient of determination (0.9671) (0.983) (0.9874) and a standard error of (9.011) (9.583) (8.804) for gypsum soils (low, medium and high) respectively.

The water quality index (WQI) is one of the simplest ways of converting complex water quality data into an individual value that expresses the state of water quality. The present study aims to assess and classify the quality of water in the Sirwan River within Garmian Region for irrigation uses through using the Irrigation Water Quality Guideline (IWQG). The IWQG determines the risks of soil salinity and sodicity as well as the risks of water toxicity to various types of crops. The water samples were collected from (24) sampling stations in the Sirwan River downstream of Darbandikhan Dam and Jalawlaa Sub-district in December 2021. All the samples were analyzed in terms of physicochemical parameters, including (Ca+2), (Mg+2), (Na+), (HCO3-), (Cl-) and (EC). The results indicated that the (IWQI) values ranged from (42.34) to (56.70) with an average of (53.7), and most of the stations fall within the high restriction category. This indicates that the water quality of Sirwan River is suited for plants with moderate to high salt tolerance, and it can be used in high permeability soils. Salinity control practices should be implemented, except in water that contains low concentrations of (Na+, Cl- and HCO3-). Keywords: Irrigation, Irrigation Water Quality Guideline (IWQG), Sirwan River, Garmian Region, Restrictions

This study aimed to evaluate the water quality of Darbandikhan Reservoir for different purposes by using an integrated approach of water quality index (WQI), heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and metal index (MI). The samples were collected from twenty sampling stations across the reservoir in December 2021, and the sampling stations were selected by using GPS. Seven physicochemical parameters were examined to determine (WQI) including: (pH, turbidity, TDS, NO3 -2, DO, BOD5 and fluoride). Also, five heavy metals were tested to determine (HPI) an (MI) indices. This integrated approach helps to give a comprehensive evaluation of water in the study area. This approach also can overcome limitations of traditional indices regarding water quality in order to make the evaluation outcome more accurate. The results showed that the mean value of (WQI) of the study area was (79.1) which fall under (very poor quality) category. The mean values of (HPI) were (66.75) - (High affected) and (14.09) - (Low affected) for drinking and irrigation uses respectively. However, the mean values of (MI) for the study area were (4.98) - (Strongly affected) and (0.37) – (Pure) for drinking and irrigation uses respectively. The results showed that Darbandikhan Reservoir’s water is suitable for irrigation and industrial purposes only; while, it is not fit for drinking use without high process of treatment. This paper helps to facilitate effective management practices of water quality.

It is very important to evaluate the statues of water bodies to develop a strategic plan of water management. Most of the water resources around the world are at risk and suffering with water shortage (quantities) and quality as a result of anthropogenic activities and climate change phenomena, which has adversely influenced the water quality. The quality of water in Darbandikhan Reservoir was evaluated for irrigation uses by physio-chemical parameters and implanting the (IWQG) index. Water quality index (IWQG) is a unique tool that has been recently developed in order to assess the Iraqi water resources. It helps to evaluate the overall water quality situation and its results are very helpful to choose appropriate management techniques. The outcomes of the present study revealed that the values of (IWQG) are ranged between (54.81) to (56.67) and most of the stations fall under (Moderate Restriction) category, which means that the quality of water in the reservoir is suitable for irrigation especially for light texture soil. This indicates that there is a requirement to implement a strategic plan with long term management in order to save Darbandikhan reservoir’s water quality as one of the most important local water resource.