Groundwater Assessment and Treatment Methods for Selected wells in AL -Wafaa and Kubaysa Regions / Anbar Governorate

Abstract

This study involved the evaluation of groundwater in AL-Waffa and Kubaysa region west of Iraq AL-Anbar governorate , and suggest a method for treatment. A nine wells from each region were selected, and their locations were geographically named by G.P.S .Physical and chemical tests were done on the water of the wells every month for a complete year. The results obtained showed their values have exceeded the limits of Iraqi description and WHO for drinking water .Nine trace and heavy metals were checked every three months, some elements within the allowed limits and some are exceeded (Cr ,Mn and Pb ) the permitted limits,. According to Ivanov,AL-Wafaa region was classified as groundwater mixture or polluted with water from weather ,while kubaysa region was classified as oilfield water and its type waters. according to a piper the type water of AL-Wafaa is earth alkaline water with prevalent SO4 2- ,Cl- ( Ca2+,Mg2+ - SO4 2- ,Cl- ) while the type water of kubaysa is earth alkaline water with prevalents SO4,Cl(Ca2+,Mg2+ -Cl- , SO4 2- ). Three wells were selected for treatment ,two from AL-Wafaa region and the third one was from kubaysa region. The treatment process was done using activated carbon prepared from palm trees frond and activated by NaOH and non- activated carbon from the palm trees frond and electrocoagulation treatment method using iron waste sheets. The treatments includes done three pH ranges and treatment direct on raw water .The treatment was done by two methods .The first method, direct treatment using activated ,non activated carbon and treatment with electrocoagulation, while the 2nd method involve combined treatment arrangement by three steps of treatment process.1- electrocoagulation 2-aeration for Fe(OH)3 generation and adsorption by Fe(OH)3 and 3- the using of activated and non activated carbon.The results showed that optimal treatment was with electrocoagulation with subsequent of lower electrical conductivity.In case of TDS, total hardness , calcium and magnesium hardness ,there was closeness in treatment efficiency between electrocoagulation and activated carbon and the best treatment was at high value of pH at which the hardness was decreased mostly at pH9.The COD value was highly decreased using activated carbon at neutral pH. Fluoride ion was completely removed by both methods. A limited removal for Cl with increasing pH. Sodium ion was increased by using activated carbon ,because the activating by NaOH ,on contrast to non activated there is no increase in Na+ II ion ,and limited removal by electrocoagulation. A limited removal for K+ ion with increasing pH .For (SO4 2- ) , the best removal was at pH5 with both methods of treatment with activated carbon since ( SO4 2- ) is precipitating in acidic medium .Nitrate (NO3 - ) highly decreased with increasing pH.H2S gas was completely removal using activated and non activated carbon. For (SiO2), the best removal was at base pH7 with both methods of treatment with activated carbon since( SiO2) is precipitating in basic medium. In case of direct treatment without adjustment of pH , the best removal efficiency was achieved by using activated carbon for most ions for both methods treatment.The results of the 2nd treatment when using activated carbon showed a decrease in the concentration of TH,NO3 - and SO4 2- to the extent that it is allowed to be used for irrigation and agricultural purposes, compared to the first method,whose results gave a noticeable decrease in the concentrations of these ions