Groundwater Quality of Coastal Aquifer Systems in the Eastern Coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, Saudi Arabia (original) (raw)
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Groundwater aquifers of the eastern coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, Saudi Arabia, are of critical economic and social significance to the region, where groundwater is the sole source of irrigation and drinking water. Evaluation of groundwater quality of the coastal aquifers revealed that groundwater salinization is widespread. Groundwater samples exceeded the permissible limits for the majority of drinking water parameters tested except for dissolved metals. The occurrence of very low trace element levels probably reflects natural sources. The distributions of total dissolved solids were found to vary spatially. The variability observed within the groundwater samples is primarily related to seawater intrusion, mineral dissolution in the aquifer, distance from the sea, solutes in recharging water, time of year. Wells located in the upper north part of the study area were highly contaminated compared to southern wells. In addition, the occurrence of high salinity in the northern wells may be the result of surface water flow direction, where leaching and runoff flushing through the basin occur. Saline groundwater might occur due to both high evaporation and dissolution of evaporate minerals. Nitrate concentrations are variable but showed elevated levels. Evaluation of usability of groundwater aquifer for irrigation revealed that the majority of wells are generally not suitable for irrigation use under normal conditions but rather for salt-tolerant plants or livestock watering.
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The groundwater quality of wadi Jazan (southwest Saudi Arabia) experienced degradation due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. On the basis of the groundwater chemistry, an evaluation of groundwater for domestic and irrigation uses is established. Thirty one groundwater samples were collected in February 2011 from wadi Jazan, southwest Saudi Arabia to study the chemical parameters such as hydrogen ion concentration, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, total hardness, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, sulfate and chloride. To classify water quality for irrigation, parameters such as sodium adsorption ratio and sodium percentage were calculated. Concentrations of major cations and anions of groundwater samples are exceeding the allowable concentration compared to their levels in potable water. The total dissolved solids are 5220 mg/l or below which indicates the presence of saline water. The saline water condition is also verified by low to high electrical conductivity (552 to 8030 S/cm) and lowers than 7.92 hydrogen ion concentration values. The low to medium sodium adsorption ratio (0.99 to 10.62) coupled with low to high electrical conductivity gives the water medium, high to very high salinity hazard and low to medium sodium hazard. Thus, most of the study groundwater samples are generally unsuitable for domestic and irrigation purpose.
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The Midyan Basin is characterized by arid climate with rare surface water flow. Groundwater is the main water resources in this region. In order to evaluate their suitability for drinking, domestic and irrigation purposes, chemical characteristics of groundwater in the Midyan Basin (northwestern Saudi Arabia) have been investigated and evaluated. A total of 72 water samples were collected from different wells and analyzed for hydrogen ion concentration, total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, total hardness, Ca2+, Na+, Mg2+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-, NO3-and SO42-. To understand quality of groundwater and their suitability, chemical indices like sodium percentage, sodium adsorption ratio and salinity values have been calculated using analytical techniques. From traditional Piper diagram for water classification, the water quality is placed at Na+-Ca2+-SO42--Cl-type. According to the results of electrical conductivity and sodium adsorption ratio, 37% of the studied samples are regarded as highly saline, while 63% of them are classified as very highly saline. As per the Arab Gulf and international standards, such waters are not suitable for irrigation under normal condition and further action is required to remediate such problem by salinity control. Sodium content in 24% of the studied samples is regarded as high that can't be used for irrigation purposes for any soils. Thus high level of salinity, sodium adsorption ratio and sodium percentage in most water samples have made them unsuitable rapid industrialization and enhanced agricultural activities. Objective of the present study on the Midyan Basin is to assess the suitability of groundwater in the shallow aquifer for different uses. groundwater quality, major ions, arid climate, Midyan Basin, Saudi Arabia AGJSR 30 (1) 2012: 7-13 A. Batayneh et al.
Trends in the quality of groundwater in Bahrain with respect to salinity, 1941–1992
Environment International, 1994
This study presents trends in the quality of groundwater in Bahrain with respect to salinity during the period from 1941 through 1992. The results demonstrate that the salinity of groundwater is generally elevated above 2 g/L. Beginning with 1960, the quality declined. Seawater intrusion in the aquifers occurred mainly in the eastern region, where TDS values reached over 20 g/L, and saline water upflow occurred mainly in the north central area. In the period from 1986 to 1992, about 33% of the well water showed a TDS content greater than 4 g/L. Relatively, the best-quality water was found in the northwestern areas where the aquifer is directly recharged from Saudi Arabia by underflow. This investigation presents a typical case study showing the impact of overexploitation on the quality of groundwater.
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Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 2020
Groundwater is the most important source for domestic and agricultural usage. Surface water supplies are meager in Saudi Arabia; therefore, it depends on the available groundwater reserves. Twenty-two groundwater samples were collected from different locations in Najran area according to the standard protocol recommended by the American Public Health Association (APHA, 1995). The study physio-chemical parameters of groundwater including pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, calcium, magnesium, sulfate, and chloride parameters were measured and compared with the WHO standards. The results illustrate the concentration ranges of cations and anions as follows:
Hydrogeology and Water Quality of Umm Alradhma Aquifer, Eastern Saudi Arabia
Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 2013
Umm Alradhma limestone aquifer represents the most important aquifers in Saudi Arabia. This aquifer is the largest groundwater reservoir in the Arabian Peninsula. It has high potential of groundwater with average saturated thickness of Umm Alradhma 270 m. the average transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity and effective porosity of Umm Alradhma limestone aquifer are 5800 m2/day, 33 m3/day and 30% respectively. The groundwater of the Umm Alradhma limestone aquifer exists under confined condition in the study area. The productivity of the wells reached 704000 m3/day and provided Riyadh City about 300,000 m3/day. The hydrochemical analyses of 52 groundwater samples representing Umm Alradhma limestone aquifer reveal that the groundwater origin is meteoric. The presence of marine salts in groundwater is attributed to the effective leaching and dissolution processes through the flow path within the aquifer materials (limestone, dolomitic limestone and dolomite). The groundwater salinity of the Umm Alradhma limestone aquifer in the study area ranges between 1195-1429 ppm. This suggests that groundwater of Umm Alradhma limestone aquifer is acceptable for domestic, industrial and agricultural purposes.
Salinity Pollution of Groundwater in South of Iraq
Salinity Pollution of Groundwater in South of Iraq, 2019
Generally, water considers as the most important components in the development of an area, while groundwater considered as a major potable, agricultural and industrial source of water in many locations. Groundwater was once thought to be preserved from contamination by of rock and soil layers, which act as filters. Depending on eighty-six wells, the aquifer formed by Dibdibba and alluvial fan in the eastern and northeastern part of the area while only Dibdibba formation forming the aquifer in the west of the area. The aquifer was investigated during fieldwork where geographical position, elevations, static water levels, depths, thicknesses, maximum yields as well as water sampling have been carried out. Depending on hydrochemical properties, the studied area characterize by groundwater polluted with salinity while a small area located to the west was unpolluted zone. Physicochemical analysis of groundwater aquifer is brackish to saline water. Groundwater quality of aquifer not recommended to be used for human and irrigation purposes, even so the farmers used this water for irrigation and animal purposes depending on soil nature and plants.
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Some Aspects of Groundwater Quality in Najran Town, Kigdom of Saudi Arabia
This paper aims to determine the groundwater quality at Najran town and nearby villages, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Physical and chemical analyses have been carried out for seven groundwater samples collected from Najran area. This study indicates that the groundwater quality in the study area is fit for human purposes except at few localities which contain high amounts of total dissolved solids (TDS) and electrical conductivity (EC) above the permissible limits of the World Health Organization standards. The groundwater is also fit for irrigation purpose and agricultural use.
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In the absence of permanent rivers, groundwater is one of the major water resources in Southern Tihama plain, in the Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Hydrogeological investigation, as well as hydrogeochemical analyses, of 272 groundwater samples was performed to evaluate groundwater resources of shallow alluvial aquifer and their quality for different purposes in the Southern Tihama plain. Hydrogeological investigation revealed that groundwater occurs mainly in alluvium deposits under free water table conditions that range between 9 and 33 m. The calculated hydraulic gradient is inclined towards the west and southwest direction, ranging from 0.001 to 0.005, and soil infiltration rate of coastal plain soils is higher than other soil types. Hydrochemical analysis results indicate that groundwater type is mainly sodium chloride reflecting high amount of minerals. Groundwater in Tihama plain is not suitable for direct drinking and domestic purposes; therefore, it needs a proper treatment to remove high salinity and chloride concentrations. Result also shows that most of the groundwater has high salinity and low sodium hazard, suggesting little danger of exchangeable sodium. Other quality indices such as salinity, chloride, sulfate, and alkalinity range from suitable to high restricting water suitability for some industrial purposes without special treatment or mixing with low saline water.