Hydrogeochemical properties of surface water and groundwater in the ALQESH River Basin - Lattakia

Abstract

This study investigates the hydrogeochemical properties of water in the ALQESH River Basin in Lattakia Governorate, an ecologically vital area with diverse development activities (agricultural, industrial, and tourism), The aim is to assess water quality and determine its suitability for drinking according to the Syrian Standard for Drinking Water No. /45/ of /2007/.

During the year /2023-2024/, Eight water samples were collected from various locations within the research area and subjected to Chemical analysis to determine the concentrations of major ions (cations and anions), as well as nitrogenous compounds (ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate).

The (SPSS²⁰) software was used for statistical analysis, where correlation coefficients between the chemical variables of the major  ions were calculated. Cluster analysis was also applied to classify the samples into groups with similar properties.

The study concluded that the hydrogeochemical properties of the water indicate signs of contamination, rendering it chemically unsuitable for drinking. This highlights the need for regular monitoring and the implementation of appropriate measures to improve water quality and ensure its suitability for various uses, the statistical and cluster analysis revealed that the water samples could be grouped into two distinct clusters with similar properties, reflecting variations in pollution sources or intensity within the studied area.