Assessment of Groundwater Quality in Zelten City, Al Jifara Plain, NW Libya

Groundwater resources management requires water quality assessment. Nine groundwater samples were collected during 2023 and 2024, from wells within the north and south of Zelten City. These wells penetrate the unconfined Quaternary aquifer (Al Jifara plain, NW Libya). This work is concerned with monitoring and determining water quality and assessing its suitability for potable water, irrigation, and industrial use. The samples were chemically analyzed include various hydrochemical parameters as; electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved salts (TDS), hydrogen ions (pH), total hardness (TH), chlorine (Cl-), calcium (Ca+2), total alkalinity (TA), and salinity as (NaCl). Results show in April 2024, the alteration of these parameters is generally higher than those in February 2023, with most increases occurring in variations at the north and northwest of Zelten. Hydrochemical prepared maps, display high NaCl values in the north and northwest directions, averaging about 3000 mg/l. The water is unsuitable for irrigation and is classified as C5 level, which means it contains excessive mineral content. The high concentration of Ca+2, Cl- and TDS is indicating the presence of Sabkha deposits and seawater intrusions. Therefore, the water in the study area requires treatment processes.