A hydrological study to evaluate Groundwater quality and its suitability for irrigation purpose in Kharayeb Al-Sheikh area using geographic information systems within Western desert, Iraq

Alalwany, Abdulkarem A.M; Mukhlif, Fadhil Hussein; Abdulrazzaq, Mohammed H. M.; ZAIDAN, BASIM A.; Jasm, Mayada Safaa; Al-Falahi, M. N. A.; Alkubaisy, Sami Awad

doi:10.58928/ku25.16417

	A hydrological study to evaluate Groundwater quality and its suitability for irrigation purpose in Kharayeb Al-Sheikh area using geographic information systems within Western desert, Iraq
Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)
Volume 16, Issue 4, December 2025, Pages 150-161 PDF (899.28 K)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.58928/ku25.16417
Authors
Abdulkarem A.M alalwany^* ¹; Fadhil Hussein Mukhlif²; Mohammed H. M. Abdulrazzaq²; BASIM A. ZAIDAN²; Mayada Safaa Jasm³; M. N. A. Al-Falahi⁴; Sami awad Alkubaisy²
¹University of Anbar / Center for Desert Studies
²University of Anbar, Center of Desert Studies, Anbar, Iraq
³University of Anbar, Upper Euphrates Basin Developing Center, Anbar, IRAQ
⁴University of Anbar, Upper Euphrates Basin Developing Center, Anbar, Iraq
Abstract
Monitoring the quality and quantity of groundwater is crucial for the effective and sustainable management of this valuable resource. In arid and semi-aried areas, irrigation water quality and soil salinity were the main limiting factor for growing agricultural crops, increased salinity of groundwater used in dry areas with limited rainfall hinders crop diversification that can be produced. Therefore, it is important to ensure the quality of irrigation water, study dealt with the physical and chemical composition of groundwater in a location where groundwater in the Kharayeb al-Sheikh area is considered the main source of water for irrigation of crops, The water in those places is characterized by some problems related to the quality and suitability for irrigation field crops and trees, The aim of this study is to show the chemical characteristics of groundwater used in the irrigation process and classify it according to the scheme [1] and evaluate it according to the standard specifications of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the International [2] . Water samples were obtained from six wells located within the study area for period between the year 2023 to 2024 and in various seasons. The values of hydrogen ion potential (pH) of well water were ranged between (6.8-7.3), the electrical conductivity (ECe) of salts ranged between (3.9-7.4 dSm-1), and the sodium absorption rate (SAR) ranged between (7.6-16.2) Potassium (K+) (6.7- 19.8) Calcium (Ca+2)(16.1- 30.1), Magnesium (Mg+2) (9.9- 22.3), Chloride (Cl-) (40.8- 56.1), Bicarbonate (HCO3 -) (8.81- 27.5) sulphate (SO4-2)(25.0- 37.9), sodium (Na+)(32.4-60.1) meql-1, and the Kelley index was (0.66-1.94), The results of the study showed variations of some chemical characteristics over a range Its suitability for irrigating crops. Well water is classified as C5S1, C5S2, C4S1, and C4S2, all of which have high salinity, the study recommends taking administrative measures when using this water.
Keywords
Groundwater; Western Desert; Agricultural uses; Anbar Governorate; Mapping irrigation water classes

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