Hydrochemical and Sedimentological study of Habbaniyah lake, Al-Anbar Governorate\ Iraq

Abstract

Current study, contains the results of hydrochemical, sedimentology and isotopes studies conducted in Al-Habbaniyah lake, stream channels and wells. The climate in the studied area is sub arid to arid region. The EC, pH, TDS and temperature were measured in the field. The pH of Al-Habbaniyah lake and stream channels was Alkaline. The average values of electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids for Al-Habbanyia lake and stream channels water are 924.18 μs/cm, 638.06 mg/L in dry periods and 862.06 μs/cm, 574.56 mg/L in wet periods, respectively. The concentration of anion and cation of Al-Habbanyia lake and stream channels within the allowable WHO, 2011 limits. The hardness of Al-Habbanyia lake and stream channels is a very hard type. The order of Al-Habbanyia lake and stream channels abundance of cations (mg/L) was (Na+ > Ca+2 > Mg+2 > K+), but that of anions (SO4-2 > Cl- > HCO3- > CO3- ), was similar in both periods. The water of Al-Habbanyia lake and stream channel in the study area is not polluted with any heavy metals (Fe2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ and Cr2+) and all their concentrations are within permissible limits according to IQS (2009) and WHO (2011). On the other hand, the pH of all groundwater is alkali. The average values of electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids for groundwater are 6726 μs/cm, 4546.66 in dry period and 6328 μs/cm, 4218.33 in wet period, respectively. The concentration of anion and cation of the wells water higher than the allowable WHO,2011 and IQS (2009) limits. The main hydrochemical type in Al-Habbanyia lake water is (Na-Cl). Most channels and wells in the study area have water type of (Ca-Cl) and the other wells ranged between (Na-Cl) and (Ca-SO4). Comparing the quality of Al-Habbaniyah lake, channels and groundwater with standards for different uses proved that the surface and ground water are unsuitable for human drinking purposes, but it's suitable for agricultural and irrigation purposes. For sedimentology analysis, the sediments of the study area contain oxides (CaO, MgO, Al2O3, SiO2, SO3, Fe2O3, Na2O, TiO2, Cr2O3, MnO, K2O and SrO). The most abundant oxide is SiO2, and less oxide is MnO. High concentrations of heavy metals (Cd2+, Fe2+, Pb2+, Ni2+) found in sediments samples with rates exceeding the permissible limits, while (Zn2+, Cu2+, Cr2+, Co2+, Sr2+) found within the permissible limits. Iron represents the highest concentration of heavy metals in sediments, while cadmium represents the IX lowest concentration. As for volumetric analysis, the results of the study showed that the average percentage of sand, clay and silt are as follows 64.3%, 21.5%, 14.2%, respectively. Stable isotopes (18O, 2H) are used to study the origin, source and recharge. There is a low variation in isotopic content of Al-Habbaniyah lake in each period, this indicates the existence of homogeneity due to low differences in depth of water, as well as, the variation in the isotopic composition is related to the same recharge conditions and the amount of rain water that reaching to the lake. On the other hand, there is a variation in isotopic values of groundwater (δ18O and δD) due to the depth of water level and climate effect. for mixing process, well (4) become more depleted, that may be effects by Al-Habbaniyah lake water. The origin of salinity in Al-Habbaniyah lake water have resulted from evaporation processes, while in groundwater, the origin of salinity is caused by dissolution processes.