Physical and chemical evaluation of groundwater quality in Jouf region in Saudi Arabia for energy, agriculture and drinking purposes

In the current study, groundwater quality assessment for energy, potable, and irrigation purposes was done in the Jouf region in Saudi Arabia. The samples of groundwater were gathered from twenty wells distributed from the fourth direction. The physical features like total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, conductivity, and turbidity values in the study area have been examined and it found that 90% of the gathered water specimens exhibited TDS magnitude in the range of 393–1,000 mg/L and pH values were in the range 6.39–7.54, indicating safe water for drinking and the rest can be used in energy purpose. The abundance of main cations is calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) hardness, sodium (Na+), and potassium (K+), and anions are chloride (Cl–) followed by SO42–. The cation ions contents in all samples were within the permissible limit except sample S-HD. The results revealed that the increase in SO42–is convoyed by increases in the proportion of sodium and magnesium because the existing sulfates are in the form of sodium, magnesium, and calcium salts. All results confirmed that the samples from the south region presented the best water quality except S-HD. Moreover, boron (B) hasn’t been detected in all water samples indicating that no other hazardous substances are possibly present in groundwater in the Jouf region. A pre-treated prior to use is necessary for consumption or agricultural irrigation of groundwater based on the purpose.