Assessment of Water Quality of Selected Natural Springs in Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, Libya Using the Water Quality Index (WQI)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63359/zm6sv105Keywords:
Water Quality Index (WQI), natural springs, Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, groundwater, Libya,Abstract
Natural springs are among the most important traditional water resources in the Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar region in eastern Libya, as the local population relies on them for agricultural and domestic uses. Therefore, assessing their water quality is essential to ensure their safety and sustainability. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of water from selected natural springs using the Water Quality Index (WQI) and to compare the results with Libyan and international standard guidelines to determine their suitability for various uses. A total of ten water samples were collected, with three replicates per sample, from springs distributed across several locations within the study area. The main physicochemical parameters were analyzed, including pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), total hardness (TH), nitrate (NO₃⁻), chloride (Cl⁻), and sulfate (SO₄²⁻). The Water Quality Index was calculated using the weighted arithmetic method to classify water quality. The results showed that most of the studied parameters were within the permissible limits according to standard guidelines, indicating acceptable water quality in the majority of the springs. However, Ain Al-Ajal spring recorded an elevated nitrate concentration (57.8 mg/L), likely due to agricultural activities and geological influences, which affected its WQI value. The WQI values ranged from 75.91 to 101.2, with most springs classified as having good water quality suitable for domestic and agricultural uses, while Ain Al-Ajal spring was classified as poor water quality. These findings confirm the effectiveness of the Water Quality Index as a reliable tool for evaluating natural water resources and highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and sustainable management to protect these resources from contamination and ensure their safe future use.
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