Physically and chemically treating sulphurous water in western of Iraq

Abstract

Abstract The agricultural sector in Iraq is one of the country’s most water-consuming sectors. Recent shortages of fresh water have made it necessary to utilise treated water, whether sewage water, sulphurous water, or industrial water, for such purposes to preserve the available water resources. A laboratory experiment was therefore conducted to study the effects of different physical and chemical treatments on sulphurous water intended for irrigation. The chemical treatments used were bentonite, nitric acid, activated carbon, and manganese oxide, while the physical treatment process examined was ventilation of various durations. The results showed that all treatments led to a reduction in the concentrations of iron, hydrogen sulphide, and sodium in the treated water, and that all methods of treatment and concentrations led to the reduction of SAR in the treated water. Some treatments led to an increase in the electrical conductivity, namely bentonite and nitric acid, while the other treatments led to lower electrical conductivity. All treatments and concentrations led to an increase in the concentration of magnesium in the water compared to that in the untreated water, which is considered a positive indicator.