Geostatistical modelling of the Wasia aquifer in Central Saudi Arabia

Aquifers in sedimentary basins provide a regional domain for the spatial variabilities in geologic, hydrologic, geomorphologic and hydrochemical phenomena. Their study should account for this spatial variability within the study area prior to any formal modelling. A cumulative semivariogram scheme is adopted in this paper for the spatial variability, which is then incorporated with the kriging technique to provide maps of regional variation concerning variables such as storativity, transmissivity, piezometric levels, total dissolved solids and groundwater flow velocity. It is shown that the classical semivariogram models are not capable of accounting for the spatial variability of the Wasia aquifer. Comparison between the cumulative and classical semivariograms are given on the basis of hydrogeologic variables observed in the field. It is concluded, in general, that the cumulative semivariogram modelling of the spatial variability is more effective and yields realistic regional variables.