ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF GROUNDWATER IN NAJAF GOVERNORATE (IRAQ) FOR IRRIGATION PURPOSES

Abstract

Middle East has suffered from drought since many decades because of climate changes; therefore, surface water has become scarce in many countries such as Iraq. It seems, in general that groundwater is the alternative best solution to cover the lack in water requirements of domestic, agriculture, and industry. In this study, environmental assessment was carried out for 29 wells in Najaf Governorate to evaluate their water suitability for irrigation use. This bases on comparison between 8 water quality parameters with their limitations at Food and Agriculture Organization guideline (FAO) beside British Colombia guideline (BC), the parameters are: nickel, chromium, lead, zinc, cadmium, sulfates, hydrogen power (pH), and total dissolved solids. The study outcome clarifies that there are only 4 wells have suitable water for irrigation use, the others have at least one parameter not applicable with the international guidelines of FAO and BC, which are probably not appropriate for irrigation.