Hydrogeochemical Variations of Groundwater of the Northern Jabal Hafit in Eastern Part of Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Abstract

This study is aimed to assess and evaluate the suitability of groundwater of the area located to the south-east of Al-Ain area in the UAE using hydrogeochemcical approach. The chemical analyses of groundwater samples collected from the study area showed that the groundwater salinity is high which resulted from heavy groundwater pumping. High chloride concentrations in groundwater of Mubazarah and Neima might be attributed to the entrapped saline water within the limestone sequence of Jabal Hafit, or it can be the agricultural activities as it clear from the positive relationship between Cl − and Br − . High sulphate concentrations in groundwater might be related to the presence of gypsum and anhydrite within the limestone sequence of Jabal Hafit. The anionic and cationic compositions of groundwater indicate that the chloride and sodium ions are the dominant and presence of bicarbonate and sulphate may reflect the mixing of such water by the recent freshwater through the existing structural lineaments within the study area. The hydrochemical parameters indicate a relative increase in the concentration of calcium, magnesium and sulphate ions and this could reflect the influence of carbonates and evaporite sediments.

Hydrochemical Analysis of Groundwater in Remah and Al Khatim Regions, United Arab Emirates

“…However, there is one sample in the north which displays a higher concentration. The source of sulfate in the study area is the sedimentary rocks, gypsum (CaSO 4 .2H 2 O) and anhydrite (CaSO 4 ) which is present in the study area and was also reported by Murad et al [22].…”

“…However, the bicarbonate concentration in Al Khatim is higher in the north with an average concentration of 104.3 mg/L. The sources of bicarbonate are either the presence of carbon dioxide and/or the dissolution of carbonate rocks [22].…”

“…Excessive withdrawal of groundwater and low recharge rate in the area has caused a significant decline of the groundwater levels and an increase of salinity. Due to the extensive agricultural activities in the region, the application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is likely contaminating the groundwater and affecting the groundwater quality [22]. Increased groundwater salinity and the rapid decrease in the water table is of significant concern for the sustainable management of the groundwater resources in the area.…”

“…However, this saline groundwater is used for agricultural purposes, mainly to irrigate date palm [16]. In the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, studies have been conducted in the area of Liwa [17,18], the western coast [19,20], and the eastern region [21,22]. The shallow sand dune aquifer of Abu Dhabi has been the subject of a study by Imes and Wood [23], who suggested that the increase of solute observed in the groundwater is a result of the upward transport of solute from underlying mudstone and evaporate, and the loss of groundwater through evaporation.…”

The Effect of Evaporative Formations in Increasing the Salinity of the Water Resources in Mahdasht-Eshtehard Region (Iran)

“…Considering the statistics and the wells' exploitation and consumption type, the highest usage of the water sources relates to the agricultural use [11]. Plotting the ground water discharge maps, it was revealed that the highest consumption occur around the central part of the plain; hence the effects of ground water flow as well as the decrease in the amount of the entry water into the plain table in changes of the solvents and salinity amounts were analyzed [12] [13].…”