Dr. Aliaa Shaker Alawi, a lecturer in the Department of Water Resources Engineering, participated in the 11th Geological Conference organized by the Jordanian Geologists Association from October 22 to 24, 2024, in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Dr. Aliaa presented her research titled Applying Water Quality Index Technique and Statistical Analysis to Estimate the Euphrates River Suitability for Different Uses between Downstream of Al-Handiya Barrage to Al-Muthanaa Cities, Southern Iraq.
The study examined the impact of recent climate changes on the discharge rate and water quality of the Euphrates River. The findings indicated several factors affecting river water quality: the first being chemical weathering from the interaction between rocks and water within the river basin, which includes carbonate and limestone rocks. The second factor is the influence of organic waste and agricultural fertilizers due to irrigation water runoff into the river. The elevated levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) are likely due to reduced discharge rates, along with climate factors such as increased temperatures, higher evaporation rates, lower rainfall levels, and human impacts.
The study concluded that the river water is unsuitable for drinking and human consumption but is suitable for irrigation purposes.
