Gravity Flow System at Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq: Groundwater and isotopic Geochemistry and Their Implications for Groundwater Protection

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F61989592%3A15310%2F25%3A73633495" target="_blank" >RIV/61989592:15310/25:73633495 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/23/3366" target="_blank" >https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/17/23/3366</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/w17233366" target="_blank" >10.3390/w17233366</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Gravity Flow System at Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq: Groundwater and isotopic Geochemistry and Their Implications for Groundwater Protection

Original language description

The sources of recharge and the residence time of groundwater in the Sulaiman-Warmawa Sub-basin, located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, were investigated using hydrogeological, hydrogeochemical, and isotopic techniques. The study area, located around Sulaimani City, experiences a semi-arid climate, with rainfall concentrated in winter and early spring. Hydrogeochemical analyses reveal groundwater types from Ca-HCO₃ to Mg-Ca-HCO₃, and electrical conductivity (EC) increases along the flow path. Isotopic analyses (δ²H and δ¹⁸O) indicate that the groundwater is influencedby the precipitation from both Eastern Mediterranean and Persian Gulf and is recharged mostly in winter period. Two distinct groundwater groups were identified: recently recharged groundwater and older groundwater, with samples WS14 and WS24 representing old groundwater. Tritium analysis showed concentrations ranging from 0.8 to 4.9 TU, indicating varying minimum groundwater ages from less than 10 years to &gt; 40 years. Higher tritium levels in the proximity of recharge zones reflect more recent inputs, while lower levels in samples such as WS14 suggest older groundwater. The good fit for the assumption of piston flow model demonstrates that groundwater flow in the region is characterized by a minimum mixing. The high mineralization observed in some older samples, particularly WS14, supports this interpretation, indicating a lack of flushing in some low permeability zones, with resulting elevated dissolved solids. Relatively short, estimated residence times, indicate high groundwater vulnerability to contamination, which should be considered in land use options in the Sulaimani area.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10505 - Geology

Project

—

Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Water

ISSN

2073-4441

e-ISSN

—

Volume of the periodical

17

Issue of the periodical within the volume

23

Country of publishing house

CH - SWITZERLAND

Number of pages

21

Pages from-to

"3366-1"-"3366-21"

UT code for WoS article

001634131900001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105024528388