Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Semel District of Duhok City, Iraq: Implications for Agriculture and Aquaculture | ||
| Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries | ||
| Article 37, Volume 28, Issue 5, September and October 2024, Pages 685-699 PDF (689.74 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejabf.2024.380405 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Bawar Tahir1; Idrees Kareem2 | ||
| 1Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Duhok, Duhok, KRG, Iraq | ||
| 2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Zakho, Duhok, KRG, Iraq | ||
| Abstract | ||
| This study aimed to assess the water quality in the Semel district of Duhok City, Iraq, a key area for agriculture and animal farming. The physical and chemical parameters, including turbidity, pH, electrical conductivity (E.C.), total dissolved solids (T.D.S.), nitrate (NO₃⁻), total alkalinity (T. Al), total hardness (TH), calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), chloride (Cl⁻), sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), and sulfate (SO-4), were measured in 40 wells, which serve as the primary water source for the region. The results were compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines to assess compliance and safety. While most physical and chemical parameters were within safe limits, some samples showed elevated levels of NO₃⁻, T. Al, and T.H, exceeding the permissible limits for drinking water. The water quality index (WQI) values ranged from 19.8 to 39.59, classifying all samples as "Excellent" or "Good." The findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring and management to ensure the safety and sustainability of groundwater in the Semel district. Groundwater resources play a crucial role in meeting the region's water demands, particularly for drinking, irrigation, and other domestic uses. However, the increasing reliance on groundwater necessitates regular assessments to evaluate its quantity and quality. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Groundwater quality; Semel district; Water quality index (WQI); WHO guidelines; Agricultural area | ||
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