Assessment of Surface and Groundwater Quality of the Alana River Basin Northeast of Erbil City
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21271/zjhs.29.5.17Keywords:
suitability of water, quality assessment, water resource management, microbiological indicators, contamination.Abstract
The water quality assessment of the Alana River Basin is crucial for ensuring the safe use of surface and groundwater for drinking, industry, and agricultural purposes. This study assesses the water quality parameters in the basin through various sources, including surface and groundwater, by examining the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of the water while considering factors that influence them. Fifteen surface water and three groundwater samples were collected from the Alana River extending to the confluence of the Bekhal, Balakian, and Khalifan Rivers during the dry season (October 2024). Total coliforms, thermotolerant bacteria, and E. coli were evaluated as microbiological parameters. The results of this study show that all surface and groundwater samples conformed to the acceptable limits for drinking set by comparison with WHO and IQS, based on chemical and physical criteria. Additionally, the suitability of water based on average Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)- 237.7mg/L for surface water and 247.3mg/L for groundwater samples, along with the average Total Hardness (T.H.) of 263.6mg/L and 261.9mg/L for surface and groundwater, respectively, suggested that water samples can be classified as harsh freshwater. Surface water and groundwater are classified as Ca-bicarbonate according to Piper and Chadha diagrams. Microbiological indicators revealed that all surface and groundwater samples collected during dry seasons did not comply with WHO guidelines, hence proving their contamination. Consequently, the water in this basin is unfit for direct consumption and necessitates treatment before use.
References
- (APHA), A. P. H. A. 2017. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, Washington, D.C., American Public Health Association.
- (WHO), W. H. O. 2017. Guidelines for drinking-water quality: fourth edition incorporating the first addendum, Geneva.
- Abbas, A. & Hassan, F. (2018). Water quality assessment of Euphrates river in Qadisiyah province (Diwaniyah river), Iraq.The Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Science, 49(2), pp.251–261. doi:10.36103/ijas.v49i2.229.
- Adesakin, T. A., Oyewale, A. T., Bayero, U., Mohammed, A. N., Aduwo, I. A., Ahmed, P. Z., Abubakar, N. D. & Barje, I. B. (2020). Assessment of bacteriological quality and physico-chemical parameters of domestic water sources in Samaru community, Zaria, Northwest Nigeria.Heliyon,6(8), e04773. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04773.
- Al-Timimi, Y. & Baktash, F. (2024). Monitoring the shift of rainfed line of 250 mm over Iraq.Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences,55(3), pp.931–940. doi: https://doi.org/10.36103/h10cqh53
- Alhadithi, M. (2018). Evaluation of groundwater quality using water quality index (WQI) and GIS techniques. Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 49(2), pp.270–281.doi:10.36103/ijas.v49i2.236.
- Batarseh, M., Imreizeeq, E., Tilev, S., Al Alaween, M., Suleiman, W., Al Remeithi, A. M., Al Tamimi, M. K. & Al Alawneh, M. (2021). Assessment of groundwater quality for irrigation in the arid regions using irrigation water quality index (IWQI) and GIS-Zoning maps: Case study from Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE.Groundwater for Sustainable Development,14, 100611 doi:10.1016/j.gsd.2021.100611.
- Chapman, D. a. K., V. 1996. Selection of water quality variables Water quality assessments: a guide to the use of biota, sediments and water in environment monitoring. 2nd ed. London: E & FN Spon.
- Dara, R., Hamed, M., Kareem, S. & Mining (2024). Assessment of Groundwater in Erbil Central Basin, N Iraq.Iraqi Bulletin of Geology,20,53-73. doi:https://doi.org/10.59150/ibgm1902a01.
- Dilekoğlu, M. F., Abdulhaq, H. A. & Hussein, M. H. (2024). Assessment of water quality in the Great Zab River (Erbil city, Iraq) exposed to wastewater from different industries using the WQI and GIS-based Python script approaches. Water Quality Research Journal,59,308-326. doi:https://doi.org/10.2166/wqrj.2024.032.
- Doneen, L. D. 1964. Notes on water quality in agriculture, Department of Water Science and Engineering, University of California, Davis. Edition, F. (2011). Guidelines for drinking-water quality.WHO chronicle,38,104-8. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241548151
- Elahcene, O., Abd El-Azim, H. & Aidoud, A. (2019). Physico-chemical and bacteriological analysis of water quality in different types of water from the Ain Zada Dam of Bordj Bou Arreridj (Algeria).Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology Fisheries,23,423-439. doi:10.21608/ejabf.2019.49062.
- Gibbs, R. J. (1970). Mechanisms controlling world water chemistry.Science,170,1088-1090. doi:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.170.3962.1088.
- Guenouche, F. Z., Mesbahi-Salhi, A., Zegait, R., Chouia, S., Kimour, M. T. & Bouslama, Z. (2024). Assessing water quality in North-East Algeria: a comprehensive study using water quality index (WQI) and PCA. Water Practice Technology,19(4), pp.1232–1248. https://doi.org/10.2166/wpt.2024.073
- Gupta, S. K. & Gupta, I. 1987. Management of saline soils and waters.
- Hameed, M. M., Badr, S. S. & Muhammad, S. E. (2025). The Water Scarcity and Its Impact on Environmental Displacement in Dhi-Qar Governorate.Zanco Journal of Human Sciences,29(3),pp.560–576. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.170.3962.1088.
- IQS, I. S. (2009). Iraqi standard of drinking water No. 417.Second modification.
- Jassim, S. Z. & Goff, J. C. 2006. Geology of Iraq, DOLIN, sro, distributed by Geological Society of London.
- Jirjees, S. J. 2015. Hydrology, morphometry and hydrochemistry study of Gibbel Stream in Dinarta / Akre area, Iraqi-Kurdistan Region. Erbil: Salahaddin University-Erbil.
- Kelley, W. (1963). Use of saline irrigation water.Soil science,95,385-391.https://doi.org/10.1097/00010694-196306000-00003.
- Krishna Kumar, S., Logeshkumaran, A., Magesh, N., Godson, P. S. & Chandrasekar, N. (2015). Hydro-geochemistry and application of water quality index (WQI) for groundwater quality assessment, Anna Nagar, part of Chennai City, Tamil Nadu, India.Applied Water Science,5,335-343. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-014-0223-5.
- Mandal, P., Upadhyay, R. & Hasan, A. (2010). Seasonal and spatial variation of Yamuna River water quality in Delhi, India.Environmental monitoring assessment,170,661-670. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-009-1230-1.
- Nduka, J. K., Orisakwe, O. E. & Ezenweke, L. O. (2008). Some physicochemical parameters of potable water supply in Warri, Niger Delta area of Nigeria.Scientific Research Essay,3,547-551. https://academicjournals.org/journal/SRE/article-full-text-pdf/776DC1F16279
- Ochir, A. & Davaa, G. (2011). Application of index analysis to evaluate the water quality of the Tuul River in Mongolia.Journal of Water Resource Protection,2011, https://doi.org/10.4236/jwarp.2011.31007.
- Olajire, A. & Imeokparia, F. (2001). Water quality assessment of Osun River: studies on inorganic nutrients. Environmental monitoring assessment,69,17-28. doi:https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010730701805.
- Omar, A. & Othman, A. (2018). Morpho-structural study of the Korek Anticline, Zagros fold-thrust belt, Kurdistan of Iraq.Geotectonics,52(5), pp.382–400. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016852118030069
- Páll, E., Niculae, M., Kiss, T., Şandru, C. D. & Spînu, M. (2013). Human impact on the microbiological water quality of the rivers.Journal of medical microbiology,62,1635-1640. https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.056022-0.
- Piper, A. M. (1944). A graphic procedure in the geochemical interpretation of water‐analyses.Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union,25,914-928. https://doi.org/10.1029/TR025i006p00914.
- Qader, S. H. & Rasul, A. K. (2023). Hydrochemical Characteristics and Quality Assessment of Surface Water in Sidakan-Balakyan River, Kurdistan Region, NE Iraq.The Iraqi Geological Journal, https://doi.org/10.46717/igj.56.1A.6ms-2023-1-18.
- Raghunath, H. M. 1987. Ground water: hydrogeology, ground water survey and pumping tests, rural water supply and irrigation systems, New Age International.
- Richards, L. A. 1954. Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils, US Government Printing Office.
- Sh, A. J., Dara, R., Chnaray, M., Ahmed, A. & Khoshnaw, H. (2024). HYDROCHEMICAL STUDY OF BALAK RIVER, ERBIL-IRAQ.Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences,55,1743-1755.
- Sh, A. J. D., R. N.; Chnaray, M. A.; Ahmed, A. R.; Khoshnaw, H. S. (2024). Hydrochemical Study of Balak River, Erbil‑Iraq.Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences,55,1743–1755. doi:10.36103/mrsdd983.
- Sharef, A. J., Dara, R. N. & Ahmed, A. R. (2021). Alana river basin management.Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences,52,1304-1317.https://doi.org/10.36103/ijas.v52i6.1470.
- Sissakian, V. K. (2013). Geomorphology and morphometry of the Greater Zab River Basin, north of Iraq.Iraqi Bulletin of Geology Mining, 9, pp.21–49. Available at: https://ibgm-iq.org/
- Tchobanoglous, G. & Schroeder, E. (1987). Water Quality. Addison and Wesley.Reading, MA.
- Todd, D. K. & Mays, L. W. 2004. Groundwater hydrology, John Wiley & Sons.
- Toma, J. J. (2012). Water quality index for assessment of water quality of Duhok Lake, Kurdistan region of Iraq.Journal of Advanced Laboratory Research in Biology,3,119-124.
- Wilcock, R., Stevenson, C. & Roberts, C. (1981). An interlaboratory study of dissolved oxygen in water.Water Research,15,321-325.https://doi.org/10.1016/0043-1354(81)90102-3.
- Wilcox, L. 1955. Classification and use of irrigation waters, US Department of Agriculture.
- Xiao, Y., Liu, K., Hao, Q., Li, J., Zhang, Y., Cui, W. and Pei, Q. (2021). Hydrogeochemical features and genesis of confined groundwater and health perspectives for sustainable development in Urban Hengshui, North China Plain. Journal of Chemistry,2021,5578192. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5578192.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Shena Kawa Abdullah, Rebwar Nasr Dara
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
