Impact of intense exploitation on the groundwater balance and flow within Mullusi aquifer (arid zone, west Iraq)

The main results that derived from this study is the quantitative determination of subsurface water balance and the water loses along flow line during drought decade (before 2000–2009), with intense exploitation of groundwater from water wells. The hydrogeological data are presented as spatial distribution maps and three dimensional models. The results are correlated with the main hydrogeologic control points including (storage and transmissivity coefficients, groundwater depths, aquifers thickness, lateral extensions, well productivity) to determine the preferable hydrogeologic districts for development and exploitations, avoiding groundwater depletion as captured zone flow. Based on the isotope analysis of deuterium, oxygen-18, tritium, carbon-13, and carbon-14, the recharge of the aquifer is originated to direct infiltration of atmospheric water through exposure outcrops within Hauran catchments area. The isotope compositions also show that the groundwater is a mixture of an old groundwater with modern recharge in the areas adjacent to Rutba. The fact that the Mullusi aquifer is of major importance as the water supply of people in Rutba region, particularly, for increasing demand of water resources and sustainability assessment in the future, this study developed a reliable strategic suggested plan in groundwater supply, based on groundwater exploitation and amount of safe yield within Dhabaa basin.     

Regional groundwater flow modeling of the Geba basin,northern Ethiopia

Hydrogeology Journal - The Geba basin is one of the most food-insecure areas of the Tigray regional state in northern Ethiopia due to recurrent drought resulting from erratic distribution of...     

Shear wave velocity as function of cone penetration resistance and grain size for Holocene-age uncemented soils: a new perspective

For feasibility studies and preliminary design estimates, field measurements of shear wave velocity, V _s, may not be economically adequate and empirical correlations between V _s and more available penetration measurements such as cone penetration test, CPT, data turn out to be potentially valuable at least for initial evaluation of the small-strain stiffness of soils. These types of correlations between geophysical (Vs) and geotechnical (N-SPT, q _c-CPT) measurements are also of utmost importance where a great precision in the calculation of the deposit response is required such as in liquefaction evaluation or earthquake ground response analyses. In this study, the stress-normalized shear wave velocity V _s1 (in m/s) is defined as statistical functions of the normalized dimensionless resistance, Q _tn-CPT, and the mean effective diameter, D ₅₀ (in mm), using a data set of different uncemented soils of Holocene age accumulated at various sites in North America, Europe, and Asia. The V _s1–Q _tn data exhibit different trends with respect to grain sizes. For soils with mean grain size (D ₅₀) < 0.2 mm, the V _s1/Q _tn ^0.25 ratio undergoes a significant reduction with the increase in D ₅₀ of the soil. This trend is completely reversed with further increase in D ₅₀ (D ₅₀ > 0.2 mm). These results corroborate earlier results that stressed the use of different CPT-based correlations with different soil types, and those emphasized the need to impose particle-size limits on the validity of the majority of available correlations.     

Balneological study based on the hydrogeochemical aspects of the sulfate springs water (Hit–Kubaiysa region), Iraq

This research examined the balneological characteristics of spring waters within the area of Abu-Jir Fault Zone throughout the hydrogeologic aspects explained by the setting of the hydrogeologic units including the water-bearing horizons of Euphrates, Ana, and Baba Formations. The groundwater flow in the hydrogeologic system correlated with the trends of enrichment or depletion case processes of mineralization (spatial distribution maps of TDS and other components) show different phenomena of groundwater source and interconnection, which helps in the classification springs into two potential site. The physicochemical characteristics of the water flow from springs indicate a hydrochemical approach throughout the spatial variation of important parameters (using Rockware software) related to the balneological study. The monitoring network of the spring waters performed by seven field measurements and 33 variables (totaling to 720 detected measurements) in 18 springs approved the after desk study and water point inventory using a GPS apparatus (GARMIN SUMMIT-e TREX). The study examined the integrated hydrogeological aspects and spring water properties for evolutions and the classification of minero-medicinal water. The traditional hydrochemical information of the spring waters and their sediment properties correlated with balneological limits (standards and definitions) are used in the selection of springs characterized by balneotherapeutic applications. A suggested screening and ranking technique has been developed for evaluating preferable springs selected for natural therapy. The application of ranking technique indicates four graded consequent preferable springs for balneotherapeutic investment: first grade spring represented by Kubaiysa spring (S-4); second grade springs represented by Tawila spring (S-12); third grade springs represented by Mamora spring (S-15), Arnab spring (S-10), Zazoe spring (S-5), and Maqtoom spring (S-13); and fourth grade springs represented by Khalidiya spring (S-16) and Layeg spring (S-7).     

Geohistory analysis and basin development of the Neogene succession, NE Iraq

The Neogene succession in the studied area is represented by seven formations (Serikagni, Euphrates, Dhiban, Jeribe, Fatha, Injana, and Muqdadiya formations). The area of study is located in the Unstable Shelf within the Low Folded Zone and the north part of the Stable Shelf (Mesopotamian Zone). This study included the geohistory analysis of the Neogene succession and interpretation the changes of the accumulation and subsidence rates and compared them with the space available to explanation the basin development. At The Early Miocene (Aquitanian age), the Sirekagni and Euphrates formations was deposited during a major transgression with high rates of subsidence and accumulation in the Himreen, Makhul, and north of Tigris subzones, while the Chemchemal–Arbil and Butmah–Mosul subzones were positive areas. This period ended with a sea withdrawal to the southeast to generate the Dhiban lagoonal basin which was characterized by low accumulation and subsidence rates. During the Early Burdigalian, the Jeribe Formation was deposited during another sea level rise that covered the area except the Chemchemal–Arbil and Butmah–Mosul subzones representing the uplifted positive area. The sea level rise continued to the early Langhian age where the transition beds for the Fatha Formation was deposited to mark the maximum flooding surface covering all the study area. The Fatha Formation was deposited at the Late Langhian to the Early Serravallian during sea level stillstand with high accumulation and subsidence rates in the Himreen subzone and the Chemchemal–Arbil subzone. This period ended without a clear tectonic activity. The period from Late Miocene to Pliocene was characterized by high tectonic activity and sea level fall where fluvial–lacustrine environment prevailed to deposit the Injana and Muqdadiya formations. The Injana Formation was deposited during the Late Serravallian–Tortonian in the Himreen and Chemchemal–Butmah subzones; in addition to the northern part of Tigris subzone. The areas of high rates of accumulation and subsidence were located near Jambour while the southwestern part was affected by an uplift generating the Himreen structure. The Chemchemal–Butmah subzones was characterized by a high uplift in the southeast part where Kirkuk and Chemchemal structures were forming, while The northeastern part (from Bi Hassan to the borehole Kirkuk-117) was with low accumulation and subsidence rates. The linear region between these parts (Khabaz oil field) showed an abnormal values for accumulation and subsidence rates (very high); this region corresponds to the location and direction of Anah–Fatha–Qalat Dizah Fault which suggest that the fault was active during that time. The tectonic activity continued to uplift all the north of the study area as well as the West and the East during the Late Tortonian to the Piacenzian where the Muqdadiya Formation was deposited in the area between Jambour to Khabaz oilfields. Then the succession was deformed and uplifted to approximately 800 m above the sea level as in the present day.     

Health risk assessment of trace elements in drinking water from Najran City,southwestern Saudi Arabia

The concentrations of 16 trace elements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Ti, U, and Zn) in drinking water from Najran City, Saudi Arabia, were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and compared with local, regional, and international guidelines. Water samples from 22 water treatment plants and 13 commercial bottled water brands were analyzed. Except for B and U, the trace element concentrations were below the permitted limits defined in SASO, GSO, and WHO drinking water quality guidelines. The B concentrations in three brands of bottled water were 533.19, 602.29, and 1471.96 μg/L, which were all higher than the GSO and SASO limit (500 μg/L). The U concentrations were higher than the SASO limits for drinking water in two samples; one in treatment plant (2.39 μg/L) and another in foreign bottled water (2.17 μg/L). The median As, Ba, Cu, Ni, U, and Zn concentrations were statistically significantly higher in the treatment plant water samples than those in the bottled water samples, and conversely, the B concentrations were higher in the bottled water samples. The Cd, Hg, and Ti concentrations were below the detection limits of ICP-MS in all of the water samples. Apart from few exceptions, trace element concentrations in drinking water of Najran City were all within limits permitted in the national, regional, and international drinking water quality guideline values.     

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

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.     

Liquefaction resistance from cyclic simple and triaxial shearing: a comparative study

Acta Geotechnica - While cyclic triaxial (CTX) tests are widely used in liquefaction studies due to their simplicity, direct simple shear (DSS) tests and their ilk (e.g., the combined triaxial...     

Hydrochemical model and probable pollution in the water of Euphrates River (Qaem–Falluja)

The study of hydrochemical models and probable pollution in Euphrates River from Qaem–Al-Falluja was performed through regime observation in ten water points. The hydrochemical properties of Euphrates River waters are determined by using the analysis results of 21 physico-chemical variables during the water year (2008). The interpretation of the hydrochemical phenomena is achieved in accordance with the statistical results of Polynomial Regression Statistic, calculating the coefficient of variation among the physico-chemical components of the water terminating by 14 models. The results of monitoring during the water year 2008 indicate a pollution case by SO₄ and Cd in Ramadi and downstream stations; TDS, Mg, Na, Cl, Mn, and CO₂ in Ramadi station; TDS, Ca, Na, Cl, and Fe in Baghdadi station; and Ca and H _T in Qaem station and Mg in Obaydi station. The research suggests the best locations for hydrochemical monitoring as continuous hydrologic stations used for the long-term monitoring. These stations are in Qaem city as inlet location and Al-Baghdadi and Ramadi cities terminating in Falluja city as outlet location. Furthermore, daily record system is recommended for the other stations in each city to complete the regime observation of Euphrates water type. From the configuration approach of hydrochemical models with the pollution phenomena, there are potential point sources of pollution such as municipal effluent pipes and reused water from mining process for building materials in the first sector of river, which extends between Qaem and Haditha dam. Also groundwater seepages and springs discharge of mineralized water mixed with sewage water from cities act as potential point sources of pollution on the river water in the second sector extended between Haditha and Ramadi scheme. The third sector of the river is affected by all reasons in the first and second sectors as well as the effectiveness of agricultural activities throughout drainage canals and irrigation projects extended between Ramadi and Falluja cities.