The Geochemical Characteristics of Mineral Spring Water at Nineveh Governorate, Northern Iraq

Abstract

Twenty-three samples were collected from different springs in Nineveh Governorate to determine the quality and type of the prevailing water during two seasons . The samples were analyzed to determine the dominant cations (Ca, Mg, Na, K) and anions (HCO3, SO4, Cl, NO3) as well as physicochemical properties (pH, EC and TDS). The results of the classification of Piper and Stiff showed that the water quality in all the samples for the two seasons is normal earth alkaline water type with the prevailing sulfates and chlorides by(83%)of the total samples except the samples : (Sw5) is earth alkaline water with increased alkali with prevailing bicarbonate,(Sw17) is normal earth alkaline water with prevailing bicarbonate,(Ss13)is normal earth alkaline water with prevailing bicarbonate and sulfates or chlorides and the sample (Ss4) is earth alkaline water with an increase in alkalinity with prevailing sulfates and chlorides. These samples constitute (17%)of the total samples. The results of the analysis showed that the dominance of calcium ion over the rest of the cations, followed by Mg , Na , K , and predominance SO4 over the rest of the anions, followed by HCO3, Cl, NO3. The Water Quality Index (WQI)indicated that all samples were unsuitable for drinking for the two seasons except the samples : (Ss4) very poor, (Ss5)poor and (Ss17) good for drinking water. The results of several classifications used for irrigation purposes showed that the spring water of the study area classiffied as excellent water for irrigation except sample (Ss5) was good for irrigation