Effect of Artificial (Pond) Recharge on the Salinity and Groundwater Level in Al-Dibdibba Aquifer in Iraq Using Treated Wastewater

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

1-      The manuscript must be improved by checking once again English grammar and technical writing. What did the authors mean by;

*“Scientists often used numerical modelling”

“Uncontrolled pumping of groundwater from the aquifer [5], drought in Iraq, high temperatures and varied precipitation patterns, had a direct effect on groundwater recharge “

“To sustainability control the reduction of groundwater levels in arid-region in country like Iraq climate, is to use artificial water recharge method”

Check English grammar and technical writing in the whole context.

2-      The introduction part has to be enhanced by adding enough recent references (last 5 years). The authors can follow the following references: First highlight the global contamination problems (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2022.102847). Then, use recent references as follows  (https://doi.org/10.3390/w12020341), (https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-824387-9.00020-7), (https://doi.org/10.1177/00368504211026143).

3-      The whole manuscript must be supported by enough recent references.

4-      The modelling approach section should be enhanced and clarified.

5-      The treated wastewater characterization should be added and compared to the WHO standards.

6-      The computed and observed values graphs should be clarified in all Figures.

7-      Providing ANN-prediction models for future precipitation rates should be conducted in this study.

8-      Do the authors have any recommendations for the future flow increments?

9-      Highlight the limitations, recommendations and future prospects of the study in the conclusion part.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

1             General Remarks

Recommendation: Minor Revision

Summary: In this manuscript, the authors attempted to create an artificial recharge pond using treated wastewater. The effect of the artificial recharge pond on groundwater levels and water quality in the unconfined aquifer was evaluated. The authors assessed how much an artificial recharge by a pond near the Kerbala wastewater treatment plant will raise water levels and improve water quality, and how large an area will be affected. The topic well falls within the scope of Water. It is important to develop a cost-effective method to sustainably control the reduction of groundwater levels. Overall, the authors have conducted many experiments with good experiential designs. Meanwhile, the results were well demonstrated in this manuscript with an in-depth discussion. I suggest accepting the publication of this manuscript in its present form except for one minor revision.

 

2             Comments

1.     The Conclusion section of a manuscript should include a summary of the results, the potential limitation of this research, and the recommendation of future research directions for peers. However, only a summary of the results was covered in the Conclusion section of this manuscript. It would be great to add the potential limitation of this research and the recommendation of future research directions for peers.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Journal: Water (ISSN 2073-4441)

Manuscript ID: water-2177248

Type: Article

Title: Effect of artificial (ponds) recharge on salinity and groundwater level in Al-Dibdibba aquifer in Iraq using treated wastewater

 

Numerical modeling has emerged as an effective tool for managing groundwater resources and predicting future responses, especially when dealing with complex aquifers systems and heterogeneous formations. Among these models, MODFLOW and MT3D are the most commonly used simulators for groundwater flow and solute transport in subsurface systems, respectively. As irrigation with saline water is one of the major factors limiting crop productivity since most of the water available for irrigation is inappropriate for irrigating crops due to high salt concentrations. Therefore, the proper mitigating strategies of the usage of harmful effects of saline water for crops production are necessary under good water scarcity and changing climate scenario. I have very favorable comments for present research and manuscript quality. It deserves to be published.

 

 Suggestions  .DOC MS-OFFICE-WORD file is attached for incorporation.

 

Comments for author File: Comments.docx

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 4 Report

The MS “Effect of artificial (ponds) recharge on salinity and groundwater level in Al-Dibdibba aquifer in Iraq using treated wastewater” is an interesting idea, it is written however, it needs substantial revisions.

Abstract

There is a mistake in the first sentence of the abstract, “Groundwater is one of the water resources in Iraq” it should be changed to Ground water is one of the important water resources in Iraq.

The authors have used much unnecessary information in the abstract section, I suggest the authors to focus on core findings and a little bit about the methodology in this section.

At the end of the abstract section authors must add a strong conclusion on the basis of study findings.

Please delete this kind of statement “Figure 3 illustrates the calibration results along with the  calibration target bars” from all the results sections.

Authors must separate the results and discussion section.

There is nothing in discussion and there is a big room to bring novelty in this section. I also suggest the authors to strongly improve this section and make this section cool and attractive.

 

The conclusion is well supported by study findings however, authors may add the future research thrust in this section. 

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

All comments have been addressed.

 

Reviewer 4 Report

The MS can be accepted for publication in its current form.