Groundwater Investigation in Iraqi Marshland Area

Abstract

The Iraqi Marshland area located in Misan , Basrah and Thi-Qar Governorates in the south of Iraq covering an area approximately (8350) Km2 , where its divided into three parts , Hwizah , Hamaar and Central Marshes (Qurna marshes) . Several deferent depths Groundwater wells had been drilled near and around the Marshes area in order to utilize its groundwater in several purposes. The area of Marshlands characterized by highly quantities of Groundwater within big saturated thickness and good hydraulic properties of Quaternary deposits, where these deposits texture consist of gravel, sand, silt and clay. Groundwater depths within the semi unconfined aquifer were shallow ranging between less than (10) to (40) meters. According to the Topography, groundwater movements flow from all directions towards the marshlands area which well be as subsurface groundwater discharge area. The total dissolved salts of groundwater was very high concentration where these waters can't be used for Human, Agriculture and Animal purposes due to the long distance of groundwater movements from recharge to discharge area beneath Marshlands.