article · Desalination and Water Treatment
An evaluation of groundwater in the Al-Burayhi and Hethran Basin in Taiz, Yemen, examined its suitability for agricultural irrigation using multiple water quality indices and geographic information systems. The assessment revealed substantial deterioration driven by natural and human factors. All tested samples exhibited high or very high salinity based on electrical conductivity, with over 75 percent categorized as very high. Long-term soil permeability risks were identified in nearly 80 percent of samples, and over two-thirds displayed poor quality regarding combined salinity and sodium hazards. Additionally, more than half presented magnesium hazards, while over 72 percent exceeded permissible chloride limits. Continued use of this water for irrigation hinders crop development, causes soil salinisation and physical degradation, and risks demanding costly remediation. However, the water remains conditionally usable if careful management strategies for low-quality irrigation water are implemented.
Groundwater is a vital resource for farming in arid regions, but degraded water damages agricultural land and reduces crop yields. Identifying specific contamination factors, such as excessive salinity and chloride, helps water managers and local growers understand the risks to soil health. This evidence provides a baseline for adopting targeted agricultural practices and preventing the need for costly soil rehabilitation.
This research provides applied baseline data that could assist agricultural extension services, water management authorities, and irrigation consultants. The findings inform the potential deployment of water conditioning equipment, blending systems, or soil remediation treatments to manage low-quality water. As an environmental assessment of local water supplies, the work represents applied field research rather than a ready-to-market commercial product.
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Groundwater in the Al-Burayhi and Hethran Basin, Taiz, Yemen, it is important source of irrigation water. However, its quality faces threats from both natural and human activities. This study aims to assess the potential deterioration of groundwater for irrigation purposes using several indices and Geographic Information System (GIS) software. Indices, including salinity (electrical conductivity), sodium hazard (Sodium Adsorption Ratio and Permeability Index), combined salinity and sodium hazard index (electrical conductivity and sodium percentage), magnesium hazard index, and chloride content index. The results indicate that 24.14 % of the samples showed high salinity, while 75.86 % showed very high salinity according to the electrical conductivity indices. For sodium hazards, 79.3 % of the samples posed a medium hazard to soil permeability in the long term based on the Permeability Index. Regarding the combined salinity and sodium hazard, 69 % of the samples were of poor quality for irrigation. For magnesium hazards, 55.17 % of the groundwater samples were of poor quality for irrigation. Concerning chloride content, 72.41 % of the samples exceeded the permissible limits according to Yemeni and international standards (350 mg/L). Therefore, using groundwater in the study area for irrigation impedes crop growth and productivity, leads to soil salinization and/or physical degradation due to increased alkalinity, and necessitates costly soil treatments to restore its productivity. Nevertheless, groundwater in the study area can be conditionally used for irrigation by considering all factors affecting the use of low-quality groundwater for irrigation.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100645
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