HYDROGEO.&HYDROCHEM.STUDY OF KIRKUK QUADRANGLE.

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to re - evaluate the hydrogeological, hydrolical and hydrochemical information of aquifers in the map area, which is located within Kirkuk Quadrangle (NI-38-2) scale 1: 250 000. The map area includes sedimentary rocks ranging in age from Cretaceous to Pliocene, with different types of Quaternary sediments. Structurally, the map area lies mainly within the Low Folded and High Folded Zones and small part is within the Mesopotamian Zone. Ninteen main anticlines exist within the map area with two hanging synclines (beside the other normal synclines). Five major thrust faults are present in the area, too. Geomorphologically, the map area is of hilly and maountanieous nature in the northeastern parts, and flat in the southwestern parts. Groundwater in the study area is found in sedimentary rocks within two main aquifers, the first one is within the Bai Hassan and Mukdadiya formations, which is located at northeast of Baba Dom structure and the second one is within the Quaternary sediments and Bai Hassan Formation, which is located at the southwest of Baba Dom structure (Baba Dom structure extends from northwest to southeast). Groundwater of the first aquifer is suitable for all kinds of uses, water of this aquifer is of carbonate group (Ca-Carbonate). While groundwater in the second aquifer is not suitable for human drinking but suitable for stock, except in some locations, water of this aquifer is of sulphate type and (Ca-Sulphate). Water origin in both aquifers is mainly meteoric according to the hydrochemical parameters.