Evaluation of the qualitative characteristics of groundwater in Halabja District, northern Iraq

Abstract

Interest in groundwater has increased recently due to the scarcity of rain, as well drilling operations have increased to secure the needs and requirements of the population for various water needs in Halabja district. Therefore, the research aims to know the qualitative characteristics and evaluate the degree of its suitability for use. The chemistry of groundwater was determined by withdrawing ten samples from ten wells distributed in the study area, and analyzing them in the laboratory of Kirkuk Water Directorate, focusing on the most important dissolved chemical elements in it, represented by ions, which are magnesium, calcium, sodium, sulfates, chlorine, and bicarbonates, in addition to some characteristics such as the temperature of well water, pH, electrical conductivity, and the percentage of dissolved salts.

 The study showed that natural geographical factors greatly affect the quality and characteristics of well water in the study area. The study showed the possibility of using well water for drinking according to the values ​​of all its elements according to the World Health Organization and Iraqi specifications, but the calcium element was higher than the values ​​allowed in well water. Locally and internationally. The well water in the study area is considered suitable for animal consumption and irrigation operations according to the rate of sodium adsorption, and according to the electrical conductivity of the water, it is considered fresh and suitable for irrigation, with the exception of Well No. (8), whose water was classified as salty and is only suitable for watering crops that can tolerate salinity.