The Impact of Geology of Recharge Areas on Groundwater Quality: A Case Study of Zhob River Basin,Pakistan

Groundwater is a major source of water supply for domestic and irrigation uses in semiarid, remote but rapidly developing Kilasaifullah district part of Zhob River Basin, located at Pakistan–Afghanistan Border. Zhob River is among few major rivers of perennial nature in Balochistan, which flows from WSW to ENE and falls in Gomal River, a tributary of Indus River. Keeping in view the important geopolitical position and rapid development of the region, this study is primarily focused on groundwater chemistry for contamination sources as well as agriculture development. Water samples from open and tube wells are analyzed and calculated for electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, pH, K⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, HCO, Cl^?, NO, SO, PO, sodium percent (Na%), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), Kelly's index (KI), and heavy metals (Fe, Cu, Cr, Zn, Pb, and Mn). On the basis of the chemical constituents two zones within the study area are identified and possible causes of the contaminants are pointed out. Two recharge areas were responsible for the different chemical results in groundwater, e.g., zone A was recharged from NNW saline geological formations (Nisai, Khojak, Multana, Bostan formations, and Muslim Bagh ophiolites), which are concentrated with high sodium and chloride. On the other hand Zone B was sourced from SSW from carbonate rich rocks (Alozai, Loralai, Parh formations, and Muslim Bagh ophiolites). The groundwater is classified as C2–S1, C3–S1, C3–S2, C4–S2 on the basis of EC and SAR values which indicate that most of the water of both zones can be used for irrigation safely except the samples plotted in C3–S2 and C4–S2 categories which could be dangerous for soil and crops. Groundwater samples are plotted in good to permissible limits with some samples excellent to good and few samples belong to doubtful category based on sodium percent. Groundwater of zone A is unsuitable for irrigation use due to higher values of KI (more than one) but water of zone B are good for irrigation based on KI. In general, water of both zones is suitable for irrigation but care should be taken during the selection of crops which are sensitive to alkalinity or sodium hazards particularly in zone A.     

Physico‐Chemical and Bacterial Characteristics of Water Quality in Three Villages West of Lake Nasser,Egypt

The present study aims to investigate physico‐chemical and bacterial characteristics of Nasser Lake water and houses drinking water, as well as fish cultures and its wastewater, in three villages west of Lake Nasser, Egypt. Fifteen representative water samples (Nasser Lake, different drinking water, fish cultures, and wastewater sources) were collected from three villages (Garf Hussein, Bashaier, and Kalabsha) in the west of Lake Nasser. Physico‐chemical, total viable counts, and bacterial qualification of water were achieved. The obtained results indicated that the produced water, supposed to be for domestic use in the three villages, contained all the tested organisms. The investigated water samples of the lake and drinking water in the selected three villages are supposed to be chemically safe according to World Health Organization and to Egyptian standards for drinking water. Water pollution index (WPI) was used in this study and the result concluded that for irrigation canals from the lake to the agriculture site, fish cultures (both concrete and earth pond systems), and drainage canal of fish ponds need to be treated before it is discharged to the lake. It is better to reuse it after treatment for agricultural purposes or recycled it to the fish cultures.     

Removal of Cryptosporidium parvum Oocysts by Rapid Sand Filtration with Ballasted Flocculation‐Filtration and Intermediate Downwashes

A novel and efficient protocol optimising deep‐bed filtration of surface water was developed. The innovation lies in ballasted‐flocculation filtration and an intermediate downwash. The approach is based on the assumption that kaolin particles with a partial positive charge may adsorb onto the surface of C. parvum oocysts and neutralize their negative charge. Application of this technology enhanced removal of inorganic particles and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts by approximately 30 % and shortened the ripening stage of the filtration process from 1 h to about 10 min.