Hydrochemistry of the groundwater aquifer in as Suqah area, Makkah district, Western Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

This study dealt with the hydrochemistry of As Suqah area, NE of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The study is based on the analyses of the major and trace elements of 16 water samples.

The groundwater shows relatively high concentrations in their overall mineral contents and a high EC, TDS, and total hardness as CaCO3.

Two groundwater types were identified in the As Suqah area : Na-Mg-Ca-Cl-SO4 and Na-Ca-Mg-Cl water types.

Sodium adsorption ratio has a mean value of 14.39.

The exchangeable sodium ratio has a mean value of 0.456 and a maximum value of 1.706.

The average magnesium hazard was found to be about 49.97.

The groundwater in As Suqah area was slightly supersaturated with respect to calcite and supersaturated with respect to dolomite.

The mean saturation indices for these species are 1.21 and 2.60 respectively.

The main hydro chemical processes responsible for the above discussed variation in water quality are recharge, ion-exchange and mineral dissolution.

The water quality within the sedimentary succession was found to be of relatively higher salinity.

Its use is restricted for domestic use only if adequately treated.