**Hydrogeology and Groundwater Geochemistry of the Clastic Aquifer and Its Assessment for Irrigation, Southwest Kuwait** Hydrogeology and Groundwater Geochemistry of the Clastic Aquifer and Its Assessment

DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.71577

Fawzia Mohammad Al-Ruwaih

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter Fawzia Mohammad Al-Ruwaih

for Irrigation, Southwest Kuwait

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.71577 Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

#### Abstract

Al-Atraf field, is located southwest of Kuwait City, the groundwater is produced from the Kuwait Group aquifer. The objectives are to identify aquifer type and its characteristics. The major geochemical processes operating in the aquifer have to be revealed. In addition, to evaluate the groundwater quality and its suitability of drinking and agriculture usage, an investigation was carried out by estimating physiochemical parameters like pH, EC, TDS, TH, Na<sup>+</sup> , K<sup>+</sup> Ca2+, Mg2+, Cl, HCO3 , SO4 <sup>2</sup>, total alkalinity, and SiO2. Irrigation parameters like SAR, %Na, RSC, potential salinity, magnesium ratio, Kelly's ratio, permeability index, and chloro-alkaline index have been determined. The aquifer is confined and occupied by brackish groundwater mainly of NaCl type. Gibb's plot suggests that the chemical weathering of rock primarily controls the chemistry of the study area. WATEVAL program revealed that the main geochemical processes are silicate weathering, dissolution, precipitation, and reverse ion exchange. WATEQ4F indicates that the groundwater is oversaturated with respect to calcite and dolomite and undersaturated with respect to gypsum and anhydrite. The high total hardness and TDS identify the unsuitability of groundwater for drinking, while irrigation parameters indicate that this water cannot be used on soil without special management for salinity control and salt tolerance plants.

Keywords: Kuwait Group aquifer, saturation index, geochemical processes, Gibb's ratio, irrigation parameters
