Groundwater Utilization and Water Quality in Khanaqin District, Diyala Governorate, Northeast of Iraq

Groundwater is often considered the main source of freshwater in many places worldwide. Due to their importance and susceptibility to depletion and contamination, efficient management of groundwater resources is needed. Groundwater quality depends on many factors, including geology, source water quality, and land use type. The present study dealt with the hydrochemistry of groundwater resources in the Khanaqin district, which is located in Diyala Governorate in the northeast of Iraq. The exposed geological formations in Khanaqin district range in age from Upper Jurassic up to Recent. Quaternary deposits, Bai Hassan and Injana formations were the two main types of groundwater aquifers, unconfined and confined. 68 well samples were used in hydrochemical analysis. The groundwater sampling included both aquifers in the area. The physicochemical parameters showed that the groundwater of aquifers is moderately brackish to saline. A strong linear relationship between the salinity (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) was obtained in the studied area. The correlation coefficient (R) was 97.73%. The salinity distribution showed a large area in the northeastern and southwestern parts of the studied area where the salinity decreased below 1000 PPM. The central and eastern parts of the studied area showed a significant increase in salinity concentration. Two polluted locations were located in the area of study with salinity concentration over 2000 PPM. The origin of groundwater was continental with a moderate brackish to saline type. 53% of the two major types of groundwater were determined in the studied area, calcium sulphate and calcium bicarbonate, with 18 samples for each one. The utilization of groundwater in the area indicates that thirty-six samples of groundwater could be used for human purposes, while fifty-eight and sixty-eight samples were utilized to be used for agriculture and animal purposes, respectively.