Physio-chemical properties of groundwater and their environmental hazardous impact: Case study of Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Southwestern Saudi Arabia is enriched with fractured and highly-weathered igneous and metamorphic rocks that function as the limited aquifer and supply significant quantities of water for household use and agriculture in this area. Twenty-seven groundwater samples were collected from shallow-dug wells and physio-chemically examined. It is displayed that, however the average value of total dissolved solids (792.67 mg/l) is not curiously high, the ionic component moved toward anthropogenic origin of pollution. The water in the area fits SO4–Cl type facies. The aquifer fractured properties and the existence of groundwater at near-surface depths affecting the groundwater hydrochemistry for the investigated area. Decision and policymakers must consider these results to minimize the environmental impact of local pollutants in the region.

Keywords

• Environmental impact
• Hydrochemistry
• Groundwater quality
• Pollutants
• Saudi Arabia