Hydrochemical Assessment of Groundwater of Dibdibba Aquifer in Al- Zubair Area, Basra, South of Iraq and its Suitability for IrrigationPurposes

Abstract

This study focuses on cation and anion concentrations and their distribution in the Dibdibba aquifer in the Zubair area at Basra city, southern Iraq to assess the groundwater quality for the agricultural purpose. The physicochemical properties (TSS, Ec, pH, cation and anion concentrations) of the groundwater samples through
18 wells was measured. Results showed that the dominant groundwater type is Na, Mg, Ca-Chloride type. The Magnesium Hazard, Sodium Adsorption Ratio, Na%, total dissolved solid, Electrical conductivity and pH were used to assess the suitability of groundwater for irrigation purposes.. The assessment results indicate that the groundwater is characterized by no Mg-harmful, excellent with SAR and Na%, permissible with pH values, but unsuitable in terms of TDS and EC due to high salinity represented by Ca and Cl.