Interaction of Rutba-Dhabaa Groundwater with the Mulussa Aquifer Host Rocks, Western Iraq

Abstract

Mulussa aquifer extended the area of Rutba-Dhabaa, Western Iraq, has been studied in order to determine the most important chemical functions and interaction between rocks and groundwater (Groundwater–rocks interaction). The results of wet and dry periods indicated that Ca2+ and SO4 2- in the groundwater are the dominant ions. Average of Hydrogen Number (pH), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), chlorine (Cl-), sulfate (SO4 2-), bicarbonate (HCO3 -) and nitrate (NO3 -) are 7.43, 718.25 mg/l, 120.8 mg/l, 40.875 mg/l, 32.865 mg/l, 2.93 mg/l, 103.527 mg/l, 195.9 mg/l, 214.85 mg/l and 4.275 mg/l respectively in the dry period, while its averages 7.33, 664.2375 mg/l, 114.25 mg/l, 35.8 mg/l, 29.28 mg/l, 2.33 mg/l, 90.3 mg/l, 181.1 mg/l, 203.85 mg/l, and 3.6 mg/l respectively in the wet period. The groundwater is characterized by low alkalinity hard to very hard water, between moderately and excessively mineralized water, and fresh to slightly water in both periods. Rock–water interaction processes are indicating that there is a possible contribution of the seawater in Mulussa aquifer, the dominant process is limestone–dolomite weathering, where the source of calcium is rather than gypsum or silicates rocks, and contribution of calcite more than dolomite in the Mulussa aquifer.

Applying geographic information systems (GIS) techniques to estimate surface area of Al-Razzaza Lake, Karbala province, Iraq

“…Studies related to lake water are important, because it is one of the water supplies for domestic use, industrial uses, and crop irrigation, as well as to support life, whether for humans, plants, or animals [1]. Attention to water quality is essential and no less important than its quantity [2]. One of the biggest concerns facing the region in general is climate change [3].…”

Delineation Suitable Rainwater Harvesting Sites in Wadi Al-Mohammadi, Iraq

“…Several researchers studied the study area and its surroundings in the Western Desert, for example, [6][7][8][9][10][11]. They all had different studies on water resources, but like water harvesting, they did not mention it as a water management technique.…”

Identification the Hydrogeochemical Facies of Groundwater in Rutba-Dhabaa, Western Iraq Using Multivariate Statistics Methods

“…The study area is rich in previous studies related to water resources, for example, the studies presented by [25,29], all of these studies focused on water management and evaluating climatic factors in the region, but lacked statistical methods for interpreting hydrochemical facies and evaluating the water quality therein. Therefore, the aim of this study was an interpretation of the hydrogeochemical facies in groundwater using a multivariate statistics approach as an alternative to the Piper diagram.…”