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Keywords

Groundwater quality, Hydrochemistry, Land use, Samarra district, Fatha formation, Trace elements

Document Type

Article

Abstract

In this study, 25 newly drilled wells were selected in the Samarra district, which has an estimated area of about 350 km2, and included rural and urban areas with various agricultural, industrial, and residential activities. Water samples were taken from the wells every two months starting in November 2023 and continuing until September 2024. Physical tests were conducted, including total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity, as well as chemical tests that included pH, total hardness (TH), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), sulfates (SO4–2), nitrates (NO3–), and chlorides (Cl). Concentrations of some trace elements such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn), were measured using standard water testing methods. The geological formation and stratigraphic sequence of the area were described, with some wells located within the Fatha Formation and others within the Injana Formation. Statistical analysis revealed highly significant differences among wells by geological formation with most variables showing significant differences at the p < 0.05 level. The formation had a significant effect on EC, TH, and SO4–2 content. The results also showed that 100% of samples exceeded the limits permitted by World Health Organization standards (WHO), for EC (3122–8367 μ S/cm), TH (1830–2858 mg/L), Ca (357–617 mg/L), and SO4–2 (920–1698 mg/L), with exceedances ranging from 1.5 to 3 times the standard values. Statistical comparisons between land uses showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in most characteristics. Agricultural areas recorded the highest nitrate concentrations, while industrial areas were associated with elevated trace elements, particularly Pb and Cd. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that land use is a major factor influencing groundwater quality, alongside geological factors. The very high correlation between EC and TDS (r = 0.97) indicates that total salinity is the main controlling factor for EC. The TH results show a strong correlation with Mg (r = 0.77) and a moderate correlation with Ca (r = 0.42), with a weak inverse relationship between Ca and Mg. Also, this study provided a bank of information about the qualitative characteristics of groundwater and trace element concentrations that had not been studied previously.

DOI

10.30684/2412-0758.1565

First Page

29

Last Page

50

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