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GIS-based assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes in central Iraq

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Abstract

In many parts of the world, groundwater is considered to be a key source of fresh water for both the domestic and non-domestic sectors. Where groundwater extraction is implemented, systems to monitor water quality must ensure a safe and sustainable supply. Over the years, Iraq has suffered from surface water quality and supply problems, necessitating groundwater extraction in many regions. This study investigates groundwater quality in a region of central Iraq around Babylon city, covering an area of 5119 km2. The data gathered for this study included maps, well locations and water quality data and was sourced from the relevant governmental departments. A base map of the focussed region was initially prepared following data collection. The analysed water quality parameters were used as an attribute database to produce thematic maps using a geographical information system (GIS) environment. In this paper, the water quality index (WQI) and the irrigation water quality index (IWQI) were calculated for different groundwater samples using various parameters including the Electrical Conductivity (EC), Cl−, HCO3−, Na+ and pH. Moreover, the groundwater suitability for irrigation purposes has been assessed using indices such as Kelly’s ratio (KR), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RSC), soluble sodium percentage (SSP) and permeability index (PI). Water quality index maps have been developed using the GIS environment. The obtained results reveal that the groundwater in the study location requires specific treatments to be usable.

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Data availability

Materials presented in this manuscript are available upon request from the authors.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge that some of the water sample data has been kindly supplied by the Water Resources Ministry in Iraq.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alnahrain Center for Strategic Studies, Baghdad, Iraq

    Zaid F. Makki

  2. Technical Institute of Najaf, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, Najaf, 54003, Iraq

    Ali Adel Zuhaira

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Baghdad, Aljadria, P.O. Box: 47024, Baghdad, Iraq

    Sama M. Al-Jubouri

  4. School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee, DD1 1HG, UK

    Rwayda Kh. S. Al-Hamd

  5. Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK

    Lee S. Cunningham

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  1. Zaid F. Makki
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Correspondence to Ali Adel Zuhaira.

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Makki, Z.F., Zuhaira, A.A., Al-Jubouri, S.M. et al. GIS-based assessment of groundwater quality for drinking and irrigation purposes in central Iraq. Environ Monit Assess 193, 107 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-08858-w

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