Evaluation of irrigation water quality for some wells in Valley Zamzam region – Libya
Abstract
A study was conducted from November 2024 to February 2025 to evaluate the water quality of some wells used for irrigation in the Zamzam Valley area in northern Libya, which is located 150 km west of Sirte and 55 km south of the seashore. Water samples were taken from 10 randomly selected wells in the study area, for evaluation for irrigation purposes. Physical measurements and chemical analyses, including the determination of positive ions, were performed (Ca++, Na+, Mg++, K+) and negative ions (Cl-, HCo3-, So4--), and measuring electrical conductivity (EC), the hydrogen exponent (pH), and total dissolved solids (TDS), in addition to estimating some theoretically calculated indicators used in evaluating irrigation water, such as: (%SAR, AdjSAR, RSC, JR, Mg.R). The results obtained and compared with the standard criteria showed that the water of these wells has a high degree of salinity (C3) and low in sodium (S1), irrigation with such water leads to soil degradation, and requires special management, a good drainage system, and the cultivation of salt-resistant plants.