Groundwater Quality Analyses for Irrigation Purposes in Salah Al-Din, Iraq: A Review

The focus of this study is the effect of the physical and chemical characteristics of groundwaters on plants and agricultural crops, following the last studies on this matter. The results underscore the necessity for groundwater treatment before its utilization in irrigation for sustainable agricultural farming. It is also possible to identify which crop type can be grown in well-watered land, according to the characteristics of irrigation water and the yield of each crop. The study also introduces some ideas about irrigation water quality parameters such as Electrical conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), pH, Chloride (Cl–), Sodium (Na+) and Potassium (K+) Ions, Nitrate (NO3–), Carbonate (CO32–) and Bicarbonate (HCO3–) Ions, Sulfate (SO42–), Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg), Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) and Water Quality Index (WQI) and their effect on crops and soil. Many of the series of studies on the groundwater quality in Salah Al-Din Governorate and its suitability for irrigation were presented in this study. The research also reinforces the importance of the protection of groundwater against pollution by excessive concentrations of harmful elements with adverse effects on plants, soil, and, ultimately, food security. In summary, found that the groundwater is of considerable importance in various applications specially in agriculture, and requires sustainable management. Therefore, thorough and well-planned strategies must be adopted before establishing any project near groundwater sources, in order to preserve them and protect the surrounding environment, and it’s necessary to be treated before using in irrigation.