A Master’s thesis at the College of Agriculture, University of Kirkuk, examined the identification of groundwater recharge zones in the Laylan area of Kirkuk Governorate using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
The thesis, submitted by Nahla Fathallah Hassan, aimed to identify areas of groundwater occurrence and recharge in the study area to support the sustainable management of groundwater resources. It also sought to determine the main physical and chemical characteristics of groundwater wells distributed throughout the study area, assess the extent of well-water contamination by harmful chemical compounds and ions, and evaluate its suitability for irrigation purposes.
The study concluded that integrating natural factors, including rainfall, rock formations, lineaments, slope, and drainage networks, provides a scientific basis for identifying the areas most suitable for groundwater recharge in the study area. The most favorable groundwater recharge zones were associated with locations characterized by suitable geomorphological and hydrological conditions, including gentle slopes, high permeability, and well-developed lineaments. In contrast, groundwater potential was lower in areas with high surface runoff and low-permeability rock formations.
