Hydrochemical and environmental assessment of groundwater at the iraqi part of the lesser zab river basin, northeast-IRAQ

Abstract EN

A total of eighteen groundwater samples and two spring samples were collected from the Iraqi part of the Lesser Zab River Basin (LZRB) and analyzed for physicochemical parameters major, minor, nutrients ions, and trace elements as Si, Fe, Al, Mn, Li, Sr, Br, Ba, B, Pb, Zn, Cr, V, Cu, Co, Ni, As, Se, Mo, Cd, Sb, and U.

The chemical analyses show that the groundwater of the LZRB is alkaline, and the Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3, and SO4² are the major contributing ions, and the NO is the major nutrient.

The major governing factors of groundwater chemistry in the basin are rock weathering, dissolution/precipitation of minerals, and ion exchange.

Based on international and Iraqi water quality standards, all groundwater samples are undrinkable for a human being.

Whereas, Pb exceeds the standard limit for most samples.

Some other water quality parameters are exceeding the prescribed limits for some samples.

Based on relevant parameters and classification, all samples are suitable, with certain qualifications, for irrigation and livestock watering.