GR OUND-WATE R QUALITY IN SOUTH

BRA CK AGR IC ULT URAL PROJE CT - WADI

AL SHAT I, LI BYA

Mohamed Ali Elssaidi

Environmental Science Dept., Faculty of Engineering and Technology,
University of Sebha, Brack-Alshati, Libya

ABSTRACT
Wadi Alshati is an east-trending depression near the northern
boundary of the Murzuk structural basin. It contains a number of
oases, of which Brack is the most heavily populated. Since it is an arid
environment, productive human activity must derive all its requisite
supply of water from the ground, whether through wells or springs.
The South Brack Agricultural project depends solely on groundwater
through wells to supply water for irrigation of farmlands. This study
was undertaken to assess the suitability of the water supplies for
irrigation and domestic purposes using data from chemical analysis.
The results of the analysis of the water supplies were compared with
recommended water quality standards for various desired purposes.
The general quality of the water supplies was found to be acceptable
for the purposes of irrigation and domestic use in terms of the
parameters studied except iron, which occurs in excess of the
WHO Maximum Permissible Level (1.0 mg.L-1) in all the wells.
Amongst the cations, Na+ was found to be dominant in all the wells
followed by Ca++ and Mg++ (Na+ > Ca++ > Mg++. Chloride ions were the
dominant anions in all the wells followed by bicarbonate and sulphate
ions (Cl- > HCO3-, > S04-). All the wells have EC < l mmhos.cm-1 and
SAR < 10. On the basis of the SAR values, the water in the wells can be
said to be excellent for irrigation.

Keywords:
Water quality, Ground water, Irrigation, Domestic usage,
Murzuk basin, wadi Alshati & Libya.
INTRODUCTION:
Wadi Alshati is one of the valleys of Fezzan near the northern
boundary of the Murzuk structural basin. The valley is an east-trending
depression about 160 km long and 10 to 15 km wide. It is one of the few
areas in the desert region of Libya where groundwater has been known to
be available in relative abundance from time immemorial. It contains a
number of oases, of which Brack is the most heavily populated. The
climate is characterised by a long, hot dry period. In this hyper-arid
environment with an irregular rainfall regime [1], productive human
activity must derive all of its requisite supply of water from the ground,
whether through wells or springs. Since wadi Alshati has been an important
traditional agricultural settlement in Libya, the government has decided to
develop agricultural resources for this area.
The South Brack Agricultural Project has been established to
supplement peasant production. It contains 300 farms, each about 10
hectares. Each group of twelve farms have been provided with a
distribution system of pipes through which water flows after pumping from
a well for irrigation use. The whole project has a total of 25 wells.
As far as chemical characteristics of well water in the area are
concerned/ data are scanty. Some investigators [2, 3 & 4] had surveyed a
few water quality parameters for some wells in wadi Alshati for various
reasons.
The aim of this study was to determine whether the quality of water
from the wells poses a constraint on its utilisation for irrigation and to asses
its quality for domestic purposes since farm houses in the project also
depend on these supplies. Data from chemical analysis would be compared
with the water quality criteria or standards generally accepted in order to
assess whether the water meets the required standards.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Water samples were collected directly from 24 wells in the project,
because well No. 7 has no pump. The wells were pumped for several
minutes before collecting samples in two plastic containers. One of the
samples was acidified with concentrated nitric acid (5 ml. L-1). All the
samples were analysed for Electrical conductivity (EC) and pH using the
Hach Portable Conductivity Meter and Philips Model PW 9421 pH meter.
The samples were analysed for the other parameters following standard

2
methods [5]. Calcium, Magnesium and Total Hardness were determined by
the EDTA titrimetric method and chloride by the argentometric method.
Phosphate, silica and sulphate were determined by spectrophotometric
measurements (Philips PU 8750 series computerised spectrophotometer)
using vanadomolybdophosphoric acid, molybdosilicate and turbidimetric
methods respectively. Iron, manganese, zinc and copper concentrations
were measured by direct aspiration into air-acetylene flame using Perkin
Elmer Model 2380 Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer; AAS.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Results of analysis of the water samples are presented in (Table 1).
The results do not exhibit much variation. Amongst the cations, Na+ was
found to be dominant in all the wells followed by Ca++ and Mg++. Chloride
ions were the dominant anions followed by bicarbonate and sulphate ions.
In terms of the quality of water for the purposes of irrigation, the
characteristics that are of importance include the total concentration of
soluble salts, the relative proportion of sodium to other cations and under
some conditions, the bicarbonate concentration as related to the
concentration of calcium plus magnesium [6]. Good irrigation waters
according to Davies and De Wiest [7] should contain 200 mg. L-1
bicarbonate; 200 mg. L-1 sulphates; 200 mg. L-1 sodium and 100 mg. L-1
chlorides. This paper results are all below these limits. The effect of these
salts on the yield of the crop depends on the soil type, the type of crop and
climatic conditions. These effects usually cause changes in soil structure,
permeabi1ity and aeration which indirectly affect plant growth [8].
Availability of high sodium in irrigation water causes a reduction of soil
permeability and hardening of soil, but this also depends on the type of soil
[7]. In very drainable soils like those containing high percentage of sand,
this might not be a problem. Clayey soils cause difficulty because of poor
drainage as reported by Davies and De Wiest [7]. It has been pointed out
that total concentration of soluble salts in irrigation waters which can be
adequately expressed in terms of electrical conductivity is the most
reliable criterion of irrigation water quality [6 & 9]. In general, waters
with conductivity values below 0.75 mmhos. cm-1. 25 oC are unlikely to
cause salinity problems, although salt sensitive crops may be adversely
affected by irrigation waters having conductivity values in the range of 0.25
to 0.75 mmhos. cm-1. 25 oC [6]. Increase in the salt concentration of a soil
is the result of moisture extraction by plant roots and evaporation. The
utilisation of waters of high salt content may therefore result in saline soils.
Salinity is known to retard plant growth through its influence on aspects of
plant metabolism such as osmotic adjustment, ion uptake, protein and

3
nucleic acid synthesis, photosynthesis enzyme activities and hormonal
balance [10]. It has been indicated that saline conditions prevent plants
from extracting water due to an imbalance between the potential energy in
the plant and the solution of salts in the soil [11]. Based on the conductivity
values, the groundwater in the project is satisfactory for irrigation purposes
in so far as salt content is concerned.
The soluble inorganic constituents of irrigation waters react with soils
as ions rather than molecules [6], The principal cations are calcium,
magnesium and sodium whereas the principal anions are carbonate,
bicarbonate, sulphate and chloride. Amongst the ions, a high proportion of
sodium in irrigation waters has been reported to pose a high sodium hazard
[6]. However, Arnon [12] indicated that the presence of Ca++ in irrigation
waters may reduce the hazards or negative effects of Na+, and it is therefore
essential to consider the Na+ to Ca++ balance in irrigation waters. The
sodium hazard is therefore the most sensitive parameter for evaluating
irrigation waters. It is measured as sodium adsorption ratio (SAR). SAR
values were calculated for all the samples and compared with SAR values
prepared for the classification of irrigation waters [6]. From our SAR
values which are all less than 10, the water in the wells can be classified to
be excellent for irrigation use on almost all soils with little danger of the
development of harmful levels of exchangeable sodium. This means that
the waters present low risk of alkali hazard because very little Ca++ and
Mg++ will be displaced by Na+. At the same time, if high concentrations of
bicarbonate ions are present, there is a tendency for calcium and
magnesium to precipitate as carbonates as the soil solution becomes more
concentrated. This leads to reduction in the concentrations of calcium and
magnesium and an increase in the relative proportion of sodium,
introducing a bicarbonate hazard. The bicarbonate hazard is therefore
assessed using the Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) concept [13]. Our
RSC values for all the wells are less than 1.25 meq. L-1 which is the limit
for safe irrigation waters [13]. The well waters consequently present no
bicarbonate hazard.
The quality of water with regards to domestic uses can be assessed by
comparing parameters with recommended water quality standards
established by WHO. The WHO [14] permissible range of pH is 6.5-8.5
units within which the supplies of the wells fall. Hardness in water is the
result of geological formation with which the water comes in contact and it
is caused mainly by calcium and magnesium concentrations. Hardness in
excess causes high consumption of soap and produces solid residues in the
form of carbonate to be deposited on pipe lines, thus restricting the

4
movement of water. The WHO [15] drinking-water quality standards
established 100 mg. L-1 as the highest desirable level below which our
results values fall. Calcium and magnesium ions have been found to be
generally low in the samples. Calcium concentration ranged from 12.83 to
16.03 mg. L-1 while magnesium concentration ranged from 7.78 to 10.69
mg. L-1. The WHO [15] permissible levels are 200 and 150 mg. L-1
respectively. The wells supplies are therefore within the permissible range,
and consequently no problem is likely to be associated with these
constituents. High calcium concentration in drinking-water could lead to
gallstone formation [16]. These ions can also cause vegetables to harden if
boiled in water containing high levels of them [7]. Silica, phosphate and
sulphate concentrations in the waters were determined for only some of the
wells. The silica concentrations were generally low compared to acceptable
values reported by Davies and De Wiest (90-110 mg. L-1) [7]. The common
problem from silica is the formation of insoluble crust in pipes. High
phosphate levels in groundwater are an indication of man-induced pollution
and they are therefore not naturally found in subsurface water in significant
quantities. The recommended limit is 5 mg. L-1 (as P2O5) according to
Rump and Krist [17]. Phosphate concentrations obtained in this study
ranged from 2.48 to 7.16 mg. L-1 which compare with the recommended
limit. The groundwater in the project contains chloride in quantities (177.0-
191.2 mg. L-1) which are just below the WHO [15] recommended limit of
200 mg. L-1, while sulphate levels (5.63-10.31 mg. L-1) are far below the
WHO [15] recommended limit of 200 mg. L-1. High chloride usually
imparts salty taste to the water while sulphate, with the availability of high
magnesium concentrations gives gastric problems. The water can therefore
be said to be good with regards to these ions for drinking and other
domestic purposes. Copper and zinc were below the detection limits of the
AAS but iron concentration in all the supplies were higher than the WHO
[15] maximum permissible level of l.0 mg. L-1. Iron concentration was
found to range from 1.60 to 5.66 mg. L-1. All the wells contain manganese
in excess of the WHO [15] highest desirable level (0.05 mg. L -1) but less
than the maximum permissible level (0.5 mg. L-1). Iron and manganese in
high levels cause taste and turbidity problems, and also stains laundry and
plumbing fixtures.

REFERENCES:
[1] UNESCO, Map of the World Distribution of Arid Lands, MAB
Technical Note 7, Paris, UNESCO.

5
[2] Dubay, L. (1978): Groundwater in Wadi Alshati, Fezzan. Proceedings
of a symposium on Geology of Libya, Vol. II.
[3] Aral, N. Mathnani, A. M. Koku, F. Voegborlo, R. (1989): A study of
the Groundwater Treatment using the local materials in the Al-ShatI
Region. Technical Report,(Higher Institute of Technology, Brack,
Libya.
[4] Suliman, M.S., Rouba, J. (1988): Unpublished Data, Environ. Science
Department, Higher Institute of Tech, Brack, Libya.
[5] Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater (1975):
14th ed., APHA/AWWA/WPCF, Washington, D.C.
[6] US Salinity Laboratory Staff (1954): Diagnosis and Improvement of
Saline and Alkali Soils, Agriculture Handbook No. 60 (L.A, Richards,
ed.) United States Department of Agriculture, US Government
Printing Office, Washington DC
[7] Davies, S.N, and De Wiest, J.N. (1966): Hydrology, John Wiley and
Sons Inc.
[8] Todd, D.K. (1959): Groundwater Hydrology, John Wiley & Sons Inc,
London.
[9] Hussein, Z., J (1981): Agric. Sci, 96, 17-21.
[10] Prakash, D.C. and Karadge, B.A. (1980): Plant and Soil, 54, 5-13.
[11] Turner, C.N. and Begg, J.E. (1981) Plant and Soil, 58, 97-131.
[12] Arnon, I. (1972): Crop Production in Dry Regions. Vol. 2. Background
and Principles. A Plant Science Monograph (Polunin, N. ed) Leonard
Hill, London.
[13] Eaton, F.M. (1950):Soil Science, 69, 123-133.
[14] WHO 1985): Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, Vol. 1,
Recommendations, Geneva.
[15] WHO (1971): International Drinking Water Standards, 3rd ed., WHO,
Geneva.
[16] UNESCO (1980): Aquifer Contamination and Protection, Paris.
[17] Rump, H.H. and Krist, H. (1987): Manual for Examination of Water,
Waste Water and Soil, VHC-Verias, Weinheim, Abstract, in press,

6
 ‫جودة المياه الجوفية بمشروع جنوب براك الزراعي‬
‫وادي الشاطئ – ليبيا‬

‫ممد علي ممد السعيدي‬

‫قسم علوم البيئة ‪ ..‬كلية العلوم الهندسية والتقنية‪ -‬براك ‪ /‬جامعة سبها‬

‫المستخلص العربي‬

‫يمتد وادي الشاطئ شرقا وغربا فوق الحدود الشمالية لحوض مرزق بجنوب ليبيا ‪،‬‬
‫ويحتوى الوادي على العديد من القرى والواحات حيث تعتبر مدينة براك حاضرة هذا الوادي‬
‫وهي الكثر ازدحاما بالسكان مقارنة ببقية مناطق الوادي ‪ .‬وبسبب وجود المنطقة في بيئة‬
‫جافة فان المصدر الوحيد لمدادات المياه يعتمد بالساس على المياه الجوفية من خلل حفر‬
‫البار والعيون حيث ل توجد أية مصادر إضافية بديلة ‪ .‬كذلك الحال بالنسبة لمشروع جنوب‬
‫براك الزراعي الذي يتكون من ‪ 25‬بئر جوفية تروي حوالي ‪ 300‬مزرعة مساحة كل منها‬
‫‪ 10‬هكتارات ‪ ،‬ويوجد بكل مزرعة مسكن وحظائر للمواشي ‪ .‬وقد أجريت هذه الدراسة بهدف‬
‫تقييم مدى ملئمة مياه البار بالمشروع للغراض الزراعية والستخدامات المنزلية وذلك من‬
‫خلل تقدير ومقارنة بعض المتغيرات الفيزيوكيميائية بمواصفات جودة المياه ‪ .‬وقد أوضحت‬
‫النتائج بشكل عام أن مصادر المياه بالمشروع مقبولة للستخدامات البشرية ولغراض الري ‪،‬‬
‫وذلك من خلل جميع المتغيرات الفيزيوكيميائية ماعدا في حالة تراكيز ايون الحديد ‪ ،‬والذي‬
‫وجد أعلى من أقصى تركيز مسموح به (‪ 1.0‬ملجم‪/‬لتر) في كافة البار موضوع الدراسة‬
‫(يحتاج إلى معالجة لغراض الشرب) ‪ .‬كما تشير النتائج إلى سيادة ايون الصوديوم في مياه‬
‫كافة البار يليه ايون الكالسيوم فالماغنيسيوم (‪ )Na+ > Ca++ > Mg++‬في حين يسود ايون‬
‫(‬ ‫الكلور من بين اليونات السالبة في كل العينات المدروسة تليه البيكربونات فالكبريتات‬
‫‪ . )--Cl- > HCO3- > SO4‬بينت النتائج أيضا أن الموصلية الكهربائية (‪ )EC‬لمياه البار‬
‫بالمشروع تقع كلها دون ‪ 1.0‬ملليموز‪/‬سم‪o 25/‬م ‪ ،‬وكذلك الحال بالنسبة لنتائج نسبة‬
‫إدمصاص الصوديوم (‪ )SAR‬حيث لم تتجاوز القراءات المعدل ‪ 10‬في كل البار المدروسة‬
‫وعلى هذا الساس يمكن الجزم بان مياه المشروع تصنف بأنها ممتازة لغراض الري ‪.‬‬

‫‪7‬‬
 1000

100
The values (Log scale)

10

1
1

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24
10

0.1 Well NO.

EC Hardness pH SAR RSC

Fig (1): shows the pH, EC, Total hardness, SAR and ESC for the studied wells.

1000.0
The Concentration (Log scale)

100.0

10.0

1.0
1

2
3

4
5

10
11

12
13

14
15

16

19

21

23

24
25
17

18

20

22

0.1 Well NO.

Na+ Ca++ Mg++ Fe++ Mn++ Si++ HCO3- Cl- P2O5 SO4-

Fig (2): shows the the concentrations of the studied cations and cations in the wells water.