Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences
ISSN: Online 1818-7803ISSN: Print 1816-949x
Abstract
The Al-Rawdhatain field is the main freshwater well in Kuwait. The fresh groundwater is produced in the Dibdibba Formation that is the upper formation of the Kuwait group aquifer. The latest annual field production was ∼6 Million Imperial Gallons (MIG). The quality of the fresh groundwater in the study area is analyzed to determine the prevailing geochemical processes in the aquifer, groundwater chemistry and genesis types. In addition, the groundwater quality and water level trends of the field during the period of 1985-2017 are investigated. The source rock is identified and the chemical equilibrium of the groundwater with respect to the minerals in the aquifer matrix is assessed. The collected groundwater data were compiled, analyzed, plotted and interpreted. The analyses show that the Al-Rawdhatain field contains fresh groundwater. The salinity of the groundwater ranged from 530-1800 mgL–1 in 1966 from 400-1500 mgL–1 in 1991 and from 950 to 3210 mgL–1 in 2015, indicating an increase in the salinity with time. The chemical properties of the groundwater in the study field are dominated by alkaline earths which exceed alkalis and strong acids that exceed weak acids. The main groundwater chemistry comprises Na2SO4, NaHCO3, Ca(HCO3)2 and CaSO4. Generally, the groundwater exhibits an over saturation with respect to calcite and dolomite and undersaturation with respect to anhydrite, gypsum and halite. The PCO2 ranges from 1.86-3.11×10–3 atm, representing a deep closed environment system. The application of the mass balance technique indicates that the ion exchange, reverse ion exchange, dissolution of gypsum, calcite precipitation (dedolomitization) and carbonate weathering are the prevailing geochemical processes in the Al-Rawdhatain field.
How to cite this article:
Jasem M. Al-Humoud and Fawzia M. Al-Ruwaih. Water Quality Analysis and Modeling of the Al-Rawdhatain Field, Kuwait.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/jeasci.2020.698.713
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1816-949x/jeasci.2020.698.713