Hydrochemical Classification of Groundwater in Bahr Al-Najaf, Western Desert, Iraq

Abstract

The chemical composition of groundwater varies by many complex factors that change with depths and over geographic distances. Groundwater quality may be affected by geological formations, in addition to different hydrological conditions and human activities. Eight groundwater samples taken from eight wells are employed to evaluate their hydrochemical properties. TDS values of analyzed samples are ranged between 3080 to 2450 ppm, while their EC values lie between 4.20 to 3.308 mmhos/cm. There is a direct relationship between TDS and EC, square coefficient of correlation is (0.8499). Three methods are used to classify the groundwater samples; Sulin, Scholler and Scholler-Sulin Sulin's graph is indicates that the water source is of marine origin. Scholler-Sulin's method was used to classify groundwater in the studied area. Sulfate ions are the dominant anions. Two major families in the group of sulfate are sulfate sodium and sulfate calcium. The factors (rNa/rCl), (r(Na-Cl)/rSO4) and (rSO4/rCl) are used to determinate the origin of this groundwater. After comparing the values of these factors obtained in the studied area with those known standard values, it appears that the origin of groundwater from type of marine origin.