Modeling the impact of groundwater depletion on the hydrochemical characteristic of groundwater within Mullusi carbonate aquifer-west Iraq

• Published in: Environmental earth sciences 2013-09, Vol.70 (1), p.453-470
• Main Author: Hussien, Bayan Muhie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquifers; Biogeosciences; Chemical analysis; chemical composition; Chlorides; computer software; Dewatering; Drinking water; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental impact; Environmental Science and Engineering; equations; Exact sciences and technology; Geochemistry; Geology; Ground-water depletion; Ground-water quality; Groundwater; Groundwater depletion; Groundwater levels; Groundwater studies; Hydraulics; Hydrogeology; Hydrology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Hydrology/Water Resources; ions; Magnesium; Mathematical models; Original Article; Pollution, environment geology; Spatial analysis; Terrestrial Pollution; Water quality; Water resources; water table; Water wells; wells
• ISSN: 1866-6280; 1866-6299
• DOI: 10.1007/s12665-012-2139-4

The study of groundwater impact on the hydrochemical characteristic of groundwater within Mullusi aquifer, west Iraq was conducted using the chemical analysis results in 14 production wells and groundwater levels observation in 17 water wells. The interpretation of hydrochemical phenomena related to ions sources was determined based on spatial analysis maps of various hydrochemical ratios using ArcGis software. The study also determined the relation of groundwater velocity and static water levels with the hydrochemical ratios using statistical application of Curve expert v1.3 program. The variations of ion concentration were examined using the statistical significant differences for chemical constituents of water within Mullusi aquifer. The impact of dewatering due to high exploitation was explained by increasing the magnesium and chloride concentrations and lowering static water levels. Magnesium and chloride concentration may reach their maximum limits for drinking at a groundwater level of 485 m asl. Accordingly, any decline in the water level of Mullusi aquifer that occurs from 4.5 to 30.5 m may cause deterioration in groundwater quality. This study modeled the effect of groundwater depletion on the groundwater quality in a theoretical equations approach.