Exploring the Geographical Distribution of Groundwater Sources and their Associations to Chronic Kidney Diseases: A Review

This review explores the geographical distribution of groundwater sources and their potential link to chronic kidney diseases (CKD), with a focus on relevancy to Iraq. Groundwater is a crucial water source for many regions, including parts of Iraq, and its availability and quality vary significantly across geographical locations due to geological, hydrological and anthropogenic factors. The review examines studies and data from various locations including Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Mauritania, Saudi Arabia and Iraq to identify patterns and associations between groundwater quality and CKD prevalence. These regions provide useful case studies due to widespread groundwater usage, available research, and diverse environmental settings. The findings highlight how groundwater mineral composition can impact CKD rates in different areas. In Iraq, chronic kidney disease has spread widely in recent years as some communities have increasingly relied on groundwater extraction for drinking and irrigation, due to declining flows in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The review investigates factors influencing groundwater quality and considers their potential influence on chronic kidney disease in Iraq and other regions. While an association between groundwater and CKD is evident, additional research is still needed to fully characterize this relationship and its public health implications when accounting for confounding variables and clarifying mechanisms. The review provides valuable insights for studying the spatial distribution of CKD in Iraq and surrounding areas