Hydro-chemical Study of the Water Resources in the Area between Kifl and Samawa, in the Southwest of Iraq

Abstract

The study area is of high socio-economic importance. It is characterized by the dependence of most of its inhabitants on agriculture as a basic resource for life, the water, and hydrological status play an important role in the social and economic stability of its inhabitants. Euphrates River passes in the area and is split into two branches: Sabeel and Atshan. The quality of the river water deteriorated very quickly as it passes through the area, where Total Dissolved Solids increases up to 3000 mg/l. The study aims to determine the characteristics of surface and groundwater in this region and their mutual relationship. (113) samples in 2019, were collected from rivers, drainages, springs, shallow and deep wells, and lakes. Main Cations (Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+1, K+1) and anions (Cl-1, SO4-2, HCO3-1, CO3-2, NO3-1) and Boron were analyzed in addition to the physio-chemical parameters (pH and TDS). The results showed that there is no or at least a very weak relationship between the groundwater in the area and the water of the Euphrates River. In addition, there is no effect of this shallow salty groundwater on the quality of the river’s water. On the other hand, the relations showed that there is a strong correlation between drainage water and Euphrates River water quality, which indicates that drainage is a source of added salinity to the river water. The study recommends that appropriate management should be implemented for the water of the Euphrates River in its two branches (i.e. before entering Samawa city) by maintaining fairly high river levels to stop any possibility of water drainage flow in it in the future. It is necessary to address the situation of all drainages scattered in the region, that flow directly into the Sabeel River, by transferring it to the eastern Euphrates drainage, and the volumes of water from these drainages must be compensated to the Euphrates River.