EVALUATION OF GROUNDWATER QUALITY AND ITS SUITABILITY FOR IRRIGATION OF ALSHATI AGRICULTURAL PROJECT, LIBYA

Abstract

Maintaining soil fertility and structure in Libya requires attention to water quality and irrigation practices due to limited arable land. This study aims to assess groundwater quality in the Brack-Ashkada, Libya agricultural project based on physicochemical parameters such as electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, total hardness, and irrigation water quality index (IWQI), as well as some cations and anions, and irrigation indices such as sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate, percentage sodium, permeability index, Kelly's index, potential salinity, total hardness (TH), and magnesium hazards percentage. The results indicated that IWQI is positively correlated with SAR and TH and negatively correlated with the remaining indices. Based on the irrigation indices, the groundwater of the three wells was suitable for irrigation and can be classified as moderately water-restricted. The Piper diagram suggests that the mixed-type Ca-Mg-Cl-SO4 was dominant in the wells. The study concludes that groundwater is partially safe for agricultural use, but specific safety measures must be taken. These findings will assist farmers in enhancing soil management, crop cultivation, and land sustainability.