HYDROCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE FEED WATER IN THE WESTERN PART OF HUWAIZA MARSH, MAISSAN GOVERNORATE, SOUTH OF IRAQ

Moutaz A. Al-Dabbas; Abdul Hameed M. Al-Obaidy; Talib K. Abed

Moutaz A. Al-Dabbas University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq
Abdul Hameed M. Al-Obaidy University of Technology, Environmental Research Centre, Baghdad, Iraq
Talib K. Abed University of Technology, Environmental Research Centre, Baghdad, Iraq

Keywords: Hydrochemistry, water suitability, Huwaiza Marsh, south Iraq

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the hydrochemistry of the western part of Huwaiza Marsh, in Maissan Governorate; southern Iraq. This study was conducted
during April to August 2013, where 13 stations have been selected: four stations represent the feed water and nine stations located in the western part of Huwaiza Marsh. The total dissolved solids (TDS) range from (1175 to 1387) mg/L and from (1594 to 2481) mg/L for the feed water and Huwaiza Marsh water, respectively. Electrical conductivity (EC) values for the feed water and Huwaiza Marsh range from (1782 to 2400) μs/cm for the former and from (2630 to 3517) μs/cm for the later. The pH values range from (7.7 to 8.2) for the feed water and from (7.4 to 7.5) for the Huwaiza Marsh water. The results of chemicals analysis of dissolved cations and anions (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, Cl-, SO4 2-, HCO3 - and NO3 -) showed different values, and the concentration is decreasing during winter season, because of the high water levels, and increasing during the summer season due to low water levels. The marsh water is unsuitable for human drinking, because most of the variable’s rates exceeded the permissible limits and they are acceptable grade for livestock and poultry.