HYDROCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF THE MAIN DRAIN AND HOR DALMAJ, CENTRAL IRAQ

Moutaz A. Al-Dabbas; Wassan M. Jassim; Weam H. Kadhim

Moutaz A. Al-Dabbas University of Baghdad, College of Science
Wassan M. Jassim Minstry of Environment
Weam H. Kadhim University of Baghdad, College of Science for girls, Department of Physics

Keywords: Hydrochemistry, Main Drain, Hor Dalmaj, TDS

Abstract

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of the main drain and Al-Dalmaj Marsh water, for various purposes, in Wasit Governorate, central Iraq and covers an area of about 3514 km2. This study was conducted during the period from 2010 to May 2011. Thirteen stations were selected for water samples: four of them are located in the Main Outfall Drain (MOD) and nine are located in Dalmaj Marsh. Tests have been done for all samples to identify: major ions, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity and acidity. Results indicated that the mean concentration of (TDS) is ranging from 3010 to 3900 ppm and 3245 to 8600 ppm for the main drain water and Dalmaj Marsh respectively. Concentrations are decreasing in winter season due to large amount of water feeding and vice versa during dry season.
The mean electrical conductivity (EC) values of the main drain Dalmaj Marsh water are ranging from 4.2 to 5.6 dS/m for the former and 4.4 to 11.5 dS/m for the later. Results of the mean Potential of Hydrogen (pH) are ranging from 7.4 to 8.2 and from 7.3 to 8.3 for the for the main drain water and Dalmaj Marsh respectively, which reveals if a solution is acidic or alkaline.
The results showed that the water of both Dalmaj and main drain water are unsuitable for human drinking, because has exceeded permissible limits and they are acceptable grade for livestock and poultry.