Spatial Analysis of Groundwater Contamination by Heavy Metals in Al-Madfa'i Neighborhood
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33193/JEAHS.50.2026.754Keywords:
Spatial analysis, groundwater, pollution, heavy metals, sources of pollutionAbstract
This study aims to analyze the spatial distribution of groundwater contamination by heavy metals in Al-Madafi Neighborhood, considering groundwater as an essential resource for domestic and agricultural uses. The study also investigates the factors influencing groundwater pollution and measures the concentration levels of selected heavy metals, while identifying spatial variation among the wells within the study area and temporal variation between the summer and winter seasons.
To achieve this objective, ten wells were selected across the study area, and water samples were collected during both summer and winter seasons. The study employed spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), in addition to statistical data processing based on descriptive statistics and the paired samples t-test to etermine the significance of differences between the two seasons.
Laboratory analyses included measuring the concentrations of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), phosphate (PO₄), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd). The results revealed higher concentrations of the studied elements during the summer compared to the winter, with clear spatial variation among the wells. Wells (4, 6, and 10) generally remained within permissible international limits for most elements, whereas wells (3, 7, and 9) recorded the highest concentrations.
The findings further indicated that lead, iron, and phosphate concentrations exceeded international permissible limits in all wells except wells (4, 6, and 10). Zinc concentrations exceeded the permissible limits in wells (1, 3, and 9), while copper remained within acceptable limits across all wells. The study confirms that agricultural activities, septic tanks, and animal waste significantly contribute to groundwater contamination in the study area.
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