The quality of Water in the Traditional Mining Zone at Sodari Area

Abstract

This study is done to investigate the quality of water in Sodri in North of Kordfan and to see the effect of traditional mining on itP ’ Ps quality. Three samples of groundwater were collected according to standards methods:- One sample from the hafir and two samples from the wells. Samples were analyzed for physical and chemical parameters. A number of analytical techniques were used. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy was used for quantification of elements namely iron, zinc, manganese and copper. Spectrometry was used for measuring nitrate and nitrite. Flame photometer was employed for analysis of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. The pH results were found to be 7.69, 7.89 and 8.19; the electric conductivity 250 μs/cm , 2400 μs /cm and 2500 μs /cm; the total dissolved solid 150 mg/l, 1445 mg/l and 1500 mg/l; nitrate mg/l, 74 mg/l and 230 mg/l; chloride 14 mg/l, 115 mg/l and 170 mg/l.The results were recorded for the major elements; sodium 39.12 ppm, 507.7 ppm and 539.6 ppm; potassium 19.89 ppm, 20.69 ppm and 47.82ppm; calcium 91.05 ppm, 110.4 ppm and126.3ppm; magnesium 0.046 ppm, 0.332 ppm and 44.33ppm. The results for trace elements were measured and found to be 0.3 mg/l, o.31 mg/l and o.5mg/l for Iron and 0.0034 mg/l, 0.0034 mg/l and 0.005mg/l; for manganese, 0.012 mg/l, 3.264 mg/l and1.597 mg/l for zinc; 0.703 mg/l, 75.16 mg/l and143.5 mg/l for copper. All the samples of water were turbid. The results were compared with WHO and SSMO and were found not acceptable and chemically unfit for human consumption. The deviation of the values for most constituents from these accepted and the change in these values indicates that the water was affected by the mining.