Major ion chemistry of groundwater in the extreme arid region northwest China

The Ejina Basin, located in arid northwest China, is one of the most arid areas in the world. In recent years, rapid development has created a greater demand for water which is increasingly fulfilled by groundwater abstraction. Detailed knowledge of geochemical evolution of groundwater and water quality can improve the understanding of a hydrochemical system, and promote sustainable development and effective management of groundwater resources. To this end, a hydrochemical survey was conducted in the Ejina Basin in order to identify the major hydrochemical characteristics. The results of chemical analysis indicate that groundwater in the area is brackish. The major ions, TDS, and hydrochemical types of different areas are highly variable and show an obvious zonation from the recharge area to the discharge area. Saturation index (SI), calculated according to the ionic ration plot, indicates that the gypsum-halite dissolution reactions take place under the condition of the rock weathering to some extent, and evaporation is the dominant factor to determine the major ionic composition in the study area.     

The distribution and natural degradation of cyanide in goldmine tailings and polluted soil in arid and semiarid areas

Farmlands and rivers have been seriously polluted by cyanide from a goldmine tailings dam that collapsed in early spring of 1995 in Yining County, Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China. The cyanide distribution in the polluted farmland and the abandoned tailings dam was studied, three and 4 years after the accident occurred. The results indicated that natural degradation of cyanide in soils is slower than in natural water bodies. The cyanide transport in the soil section is similar to freely soluble salts. In arid and semiarid areas, cyanide can be highly enriched in the salt crust in which the concentration is even higher than the fresh tailings debris though cyanide has decomposed for 4 years. In the polluted farmland, the sticky layer in the soil section can highly adsorb and enrich cyanide so it can partly prevent cyanide transfer to groundwater. According to the characteristics of cyanide natural degradation in soil, the measures for prevention and cure of soil polluted by goldmine tailing dam collapse have been discussed.     

干旱,半干旱地区水文地质研究现状

世界上近一半的国家都不同程度地受到干旱问题的影响,因而干旱、半干旱区的水文地质研究多年来一直是世界水文地质学界的研究热点。本文根据几年来所阅读的关于该方面的近百篇国内外文献资料,对干旱和半干旱地区地下水开发利用概况、地下水形成机理研究进展、干旱区大型盆地地下水运移所采用的两种模型、环境同位素技术在干旱区地下水研究中的应用、地下水流系统研究进展、地下水数值模拟及管理模型现状、干旱区包水带水文地质研究     

Landscape change and sandy desertification in arid areas: a case study in the Zhangye Region of Gansu Province, China

The Zhangye Region of Gansu Province is an important agricultural base in arid northwestern China. During the twentieth century, especially in the last five decades, the region has experienced sandy desertification. To document the status and causes of this deterioration, satellite images, meteorological and socioeconomic data to assess landscape change from 1993 to 2002 were interpreted and analyzed. The results show that during the intervening 9-year period the area of sandy lands has increased by 642.2 km², which consist of aeolian sand dune (357.1 km²) and potential sandy land (216.3 km²). Although the development and reversion of sandy desertification co-exist, the sandy desertification in this area seems serious and is attributable to the irrational use of water and land.     

The hydrochemical characteristics and evolution of groundwater and surface water in the Heihe River Basin, northwest China

A combination of isotopic and chemical indicators has been used to characterize rainfall, surface water and groundwater in the Heihe River Basin, China. Surface- vs. groundwater chemistry data enabled geographical zones and chemical types to be differentiated. The dissolution of halite, Glauber’s salt, gypsum, dolomite and calcite determine Na⁺, Cl^?, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, $ {\text{SO}}^{{2 - }}_{4} A combination of isotopic and chemical indicators has been used to characterize rainfall, surface water and groundwater in the Heihe River Basin, China. Surface- vs. groundwater chemistry data enabled geographical zones and chemical types to be differentiated. The dissolution of halite, Glauber’s salt, gypsum, dolomite and calcite determine Na⁺, Cl⁻, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and chemistry, but other processes such as evaporation, ion exchange, and deposition also influence the water composition. The majority of deep confined groundwaters are tritium-free and less mineralized than in the shallow aquifer. Radiocarbon values in the deeper groundwaters range from 18.8 to 38.9 pmc, and 80 pmc probably represents the upper limit of initial ¹⁴C activity; this yields ages of approximately 5,960–11,971 years BP, which is about 3,000 years older than those calculated by models in previous work. The shallow aquifer exhibits fairly high and variable tritium activities (4–75 TU), evidence of recent recharge and low residence time (<60 years), which is in line with estimates from previous work. Isotopic signatures indicate formation of deeper groundwaters in a colder and wetter climate during the late Pleistocene and Holocene. The results suggested that significant changes are urgently needed in water-use strategy to achieve sustainable development.

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Résumé Une combinaison de plusieurs indicateurs isotopiques et chimiques a été utilisée dans le but de caractériser les précipitations, les eaux de surface et les eaux souterraines dans le Bassin de la Rivière Heihe, en Chine. La confrontation des chimies des eaux souterraines et de surface a permis de différentier plusieurs secteurs géographiques et faciès chimiques. Les compositions chimiques en Na⁺, Cl⁻, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, et sont déterminées par la dissolution de la halite, du sel de Glauber, du gypse, de la dolomite et de la calcite, mais d’autres processus peuvent également avoir une influence, comme l’évaporation, les échanges de bases et la sédimentation. La majorité des eaux souterraines captives profondes ne contiennent pas de tritium, et sont moins minéralisées que dans l’aquifère superficiel. Les valeurs de carbone 14 dans l’aquifère le plus profond sont comprises entre 18.8 et 38.9 pcm, pour une valeur maximum probable d’activité initiale de 80 pcm; les ages estimés correspondants sont compris entre 5,960 et 11,971 ans, soit environ 3,000 ans de plus que ceux calculés auparavant par les modèles. L’aquifère superficiel présente des activités tritium plut?t élevées et variables (4 à 75 UT), démontrant l’existence d’une alimentation récente et d’un temps de résidence faible (<60 ans), ce qui concorde avec les études antérieures. Les signatures isotopiques indiquent une alimentation des eaux souterraines les plus profondes au cours d’épisodes climatiques plus froids et plus humides qu’actuellement, à la fin du Pléistocène et à l’Holocène. Les résultats suggèrent que des changements significatifs dans la planification des usages de l’eau sont nécessaires et urgents dans des perspectives d’exploitation durable.

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Resumen Se ha utilizado una combinación de indicadores isotópicos y químicos para caracterizar la precipitación, el agua superficial y el agua subterránea en la Cuenca del Río Heihe, China. Los datos químicos de aguas superficiales frente a las subterráneas no permiten diferenciar zonas geográficas y tipos químicos. La disolución de halita, sal de Glauber, yeso, dolomita y calcita determina la química de Na⁺, Cl⁻, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, y , pero otros procesos, como evaporación, intercambio de iones y precipitación influyen también en la composición del agua. La mayoría de las aguas subterráneas profundas confinadas no tienen Tritio y están menos mineralizados que el acuífero superficial. Los valores de radiocarbono en las aguas subterráneas más profundas oscilan entre 18.8 y 38.9 pmc, y el valor de 80 pmc representa probablemente el límite superior de la actividad inicial de ¹⁴C; proporcionando edades de aproximadamente 5,960–11,971 a?os BP, que son unos 3,000 a?os más antiguas de las calculadas mediante modelización en trabajos previos. El acuífero superficial tiene actividades de tritio bastante más altas y variables (4–75 UT), evidenciando una recarga reciente y unos tiempos de residencia bajos (<60 a?os), lo cual está en la línea de lo estimado en trabajos previos. Los datos isotópicos apuntan a la formación de aguas subterráneas más profundas en un clima más frío y húmedo durante el Pleistoceno superior y el Holoceno. Los resultados sugieren que se necesita hacer cambios significativos en la estrategia de uso del agua para alcanzar un desarrollo sostenible.

     

中国西北内陆干旱盆地地下水形成演化模式及其意义

随着系统理论分析方法的引入和同位素、遥感、计算机技术和先进物探手段等的应用,内陆干旱区的地下水勘查与研究得到迅速发展。本文以作者在中国西北地区近十几年的地下水勘查与研究成果为主要基础,将内陆干旱盆地平原区地下水划分为四级地下水流系统,即山前局部地下水流系统（Ｉ）、区域地下水流系统（Ⅱ）、滞流地下水流系统（Ⅲ）和细土平原区易变的局部地下水流系统（Ⅳ）。盆地地下水的形成演化和盐分迁移主要发生在Ｉ、Ⅱ和     

Multi-tracer investigation of river and groundwater interactions: a case study in Nalenggele River basin,northwest China

Environmental tracers (such as major ions, stable and radiogenic isotopes, and heat) monitored in natural waters provide valuable information for understanding the processes of river–groundwater interactions in arid areas. An integrated framework is presented for interpreting multi-tracer data (major ions, stable isotopes (²H, ¹⁸O), the radioactive isotope ²²²Rn, and heat) for delineating the river–groundwater interactions in Nalenggele River basin, northwest China. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were undertaken to estimate the bidirectional water exchange associated with small-scale interactions between groundwater and surface water. Along the river stretch, groundwater and river water exchange readily. From the high mountain zone to the alluvial fan, groundwater discharge to the river is detected by tracer methods and end-member mixing models, but the river has also been identified as a losing river using discharge measurements, i.e. discharge is bidirectional. On the delta-front of the alluvial fan and in the alluvial plain, in the downstream area, the characteristics of total dissolved solids values, ²²²Rn concentrations and δ¹⁸O values in the surface water, and patterns derived from a heat-tracing method, indicate that groundwater discharges into the river. With the environmental tracers, the processes of river–groundwater interaction have been identified in detail for better understanding of overall hydrogeological processes and of the impacts on water allocation policies.     

Pumping decisions for sustainable development of groundwater resources in areas of grassland degradation: a case study in Lanqi Banner, Inner Mongolia, China

The best planting alternatives for satisfying high water use demands of forage and fodder crops in a region of Inner Mongolia, China, were determined by a multiobjective distributed-parameter groundwater management model. These alternatives took account of different cropping patterns and pumping decisions associated with both temporal and spatial aspects of water allocation. The model was developed for phreatic, homogenous, and isotropic aquifers using the response matrix technique of quadratic programming theory and, in this case, using the alternative direction implicit (ADI) scheme. Model solutions using effective rainfall with a probability of 50%, show that average water table drawdown in the planning period (2006–2017) is 0.22 m and the groundwater fluctuation in each pumping well is very low. In order to evaluate the pumping decisions under an effective rainfall with a probability of 75%, a sensitive analysis was also conducted. Analysis shows that it is useful to apply the results from the proposed model to control the landscape degradation due to overgrazing and overpumping activities.     

Land-use change and its environmental impact in the Heihe River Basin, arid northwestern China

Rapid land-use change has taken place in many arid and semi-arid regions of China over the last decade as the result of demand for food for its growing population. The Heihe River Basin, a typical inland river basin of temperate arid zone in northwestern China, was investigated to assess land-use change dynamics by the combined use of satellite remote sensing and geographical information systems (GIS), and to explore the interaction between these changes and the environment. Images were classified into six land-use types: cropland, forestland, grassland, water, urban or built-up land, and barren land. The objectives were to assess and analyze landscape change of land use/cover in Heihe River Basin over 15 years from 1987 to 2002. The results show that (1) grassland and barren land increase greatly by 22.3, and 268.2 km², respectively, but water area decreased rapidly by 247.2 km² in the upper reaches of Heihe River Basin; (2) cropland and urban or built-up land increased greatly by 174.9, and 64.6 km², respectively, but grassland decreased rapidly by 210.3 km² in the middle reaches of Heihe River Basin; and (3) barren land increased largely by 397.4 km², but grassland degraded seriously and water area decreased obviously by 313.3, and 21.7 km², respectively in the lower reaches of Heihe River Basin. These results show that significant changes in land-use occur within the whole basin over the study period and cause severe environmental degradation, such as water environmental changes (including surface water runoff change, decline of groundwater table and degeneration of surface water and groundwater quality), land desertification and salinization, and vegetation degeneracy.     

Evaluation of landscape changes and ecological degradation by GIS in arid regions: a case study of the terminal oasis of the Shiyang River,northwest China

The development and utilization of water and land resources in the Shiyang River basin are the highest among the inland rivers in northwestern China. Using GIS and the landscape structure analysis program FRAGSTATS, landscape metrics of a study area in the lake-district in Minqin Oasis in the lower reaches of Shiyang River basin were calculated and analyzed based on TM images from 1987 to 2001 at class level and landscape level, respectively. Transformation matrix of the landscape mosaics was also examined. The driving forces of landscape changes were analyzed, including the dynamics of runoff and groundwater resources and their exploitation, and influences of policies and market economy. The results showed that: (1) Patch number of farmland and desert decreased, but their mean patch area increased, indicating that reclamation and desertification was very serious in the study area. Contagion index for oasis increased and edge density and landscape diversity were reduced. (2) Farmland and desert areas have enlarged by 1,520.46 and 4,941.27 hm², respectively. This increase was at the cost of woodland and grassland, which shrank by 1,520.46 and 4,941.27 hm², respectively. (3) The net utilization of surface water decreased by 50% in the last 10 years, and dropped to 22.3 × 10⁶ m³ in the later 1990s. Exploitation of groundwater increased remarkably, up to 80 × 10⁶ m³ per year in the last 5 years. (4) The capability of the economic structure to withstand pressures of the market economy has depressed distinctly because of the simplified planting pattern, which is dominated by salinity-enduring cash crops, such as cotton. Based on the above analysis, strategies of ecological reconstruction in the lake-district were suggested.     

西北旱区潜在蒸散发的气候敏感性及其干旱特征研究

潜在蒸散量（PET）是干旱监测评价的重要指标,分析影响潜在蒸散发的气候敏感因子对揭示气候变化的水文响应机理尤为重要。常采用的局部敏感性方法不适用于非线性模型且难以评估各气象因子间的相互作用。对此,基于1964—2018年西北旱区内163个气象站的监测数据,通过Penman-Monteith公式,采用Sobol全局敏感性方法分析了西北旱区潜在蒸散发的气候敏感因子,计算得到了自校准帕默尔干旱指数（scPDSI）,进而分析了区域干旱的时空演变特征。结果表明：1964—2018年西北旱区年均潜在蒸散量为1157.8 mm,高值出现在新疆东部与内蒙古西部地区,低值出现在青海南部地区。1993年为转折点,西北旱区潜在蒸散发受气温、日照时数、风速、相对湿度等多种因素综合影响由显著下降的趋势转变为显著上升,且在夏季最为明显。在1964—1993年,净辐射、风速与相对湿度的变化对潜在蒸散发的影响较大;在1994—2018年,风速与相对湿度的变化对潜在蒸散发的影响较大。scPDSI的时空分布表明新疆北部、青海中部以及甘肃境内的干旱有缓解的趋势;而黄河流域西南部干旱呈现加重趋势,将加剧区域水资源紧张,威胁生态安全。     

Environmental isotopic and hydrochemical study of groundwater in the Ejina Basin,northwest China

The study investigates the groundwater evolution and its residence time in the Ejina Basin, northwest China according to isotope and hydrochemical analyses results. The groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by the dissolution of halite, Glauber’s salt, gypsum, dolomite and calcite, also influenced by other processes such as evaporation, ion exchange, and deposition. Based on tritium content in atmospheric precipitation and by adopting a model with exponential time distribution function, the mean residence time of the unconfined aquifer groundwater with fairly high tritium activities (21–49 TU) is evaluated. The results show that these groundwaters have low residence time (5–120 years) and are renewable. In contrast, the deep confined groundwaters are tritium-free and radiocarbon values range from 18.3 to 26.7 pmc. According to the most commonly used ¹⁴C correction models, the radiocarbon groundwater ages were calculated which yield ages of approximately 4,087–9,364 years BP. Isotopic signatures indicate formation of deep confined groundwaters in a colder and wetter climate during the late Pleistocene and Holocene. It is suggested that long-term, rational water usage guide should be set up for the Heihe River Basin as a whole to permit a considerable discharge to the Ejina Basin.     

中国西北地区北部蚀源区铀含量特征及其地质、成矿意义

中国西北地区北部主要盆地蚀源区包括银额盆地周缘、北山盆地群周缘、三塘湖盆地周缘、准噶尔盆地周缘,主体位于中亚构造域中西部南缘(部)或与之毗邻区。通过对研究区1 416件中性、酸性及碱性岩浆岩样品的年龄和铀含量数据进行分区统计处理,计算其在地史上的铀迁移量和古铀含量,结果显示,研究区岩浆活动主要发生在早石炭世-早三叠世(349~248 Ma),其次在中奥陶世-早泥盆世(470~396 Ma)。这分别与古亚洲洋开始俯冲消减(O2S1)和最终关闭、中亚-蒙古碰撞褶皱带形成(C-T1)的大地构造演化阶段及重大事件相对应。各区富铀岩石主要形成于早石炭世-早三叠世(334~250 Ma),其与晚古生代岩浆活动具有时间上的一致性。在地域上, 两者有从西向东时代变新的趋势。这亦与古亚洲洋关闭、中亚构造域形成西早东晚的演化特征相一致。各蚀源区岩石的铀含量不尽相同,综合对比和评价表明：北山柳园区、准噶尔盆地东北缘阿勒泰-蕴都地区和东南部清河地区岩石铀含量与宗乃山区铀含量相当或更富;准噶尔盆地东北缘卡拉麦里区岩石铀含量偏富;银额盆地南缘雅布赖山、巴彦诺日公及庆格勒地区及其北部的沙拉扎山区,北山盐滩及马鬃山区,三塘湖盆地周缘,以及准噶尔盆地东北缘的阿勒泰西北区和西缘的北部区铀含量中等;其他地区铀含量相对较贫。研究区现今富铀蚀源区的大部地区,在晚三叠世开始隆升,此后进一步发展,为邻近中新生代盆地提供了丰富的沉积物和铀物质,成为相邻中新生代陆相盆地砂岩型、煤岩型及泥岩型铀矿床的主要成矿物质来源;盆内深部烃源岩层富含铀元素,可降低烃源岩的生烃门限温度并增加烃源岩生烃总量,具有重要的地质、成矿意义。     

中国西北干旱区降雪和极端降雪变化特征及未来趋势

降雪是中国西北干旱区水文系统中关键的组成要素, 同时也是对气候变化极为敏感的因子。利用中国西北干旱区的89个气象站点逐日气象资料结合IPCC-CMIP5气候情景数据, 研究了该区域降雪和极端降雪的时空变化特征, 并分析了其对气候变化的响应机理及未来变化趋势。结果表明： 1971—2010年, 我国西北干旱区年降雪量显著增加, 但降雪次数却明显减少; 年极端降雪发生次数占总降雪次数的比例不足3%, 但其对年降雪量的平均贡献可达1/4, 且极端降雪量和发生次数的增加是近40年西北干旱区降雪总量增加的主要原因。极端降雪发生时的气温要比非极端降雪发生时的气温平均高3.3 ℃; 当气温在1 ℃以下, 降雪强度随气温升高而增大, 该变化特征基本符合克劳修斯-克拉伯龙方程理论, 气候变暖是导致极端降雪显著增加的主要原因。在RCP4.5气候情景下, 我国西北干旱区未来年降雪次数将大幅减少, 年降雪量将在（2040±5）年前后达到峰值随后下降, 年极端降雪量和发生次数预计（2060±5）年左右达到峰值; 相比基准期, 2050s西北干旱区所有站点的年降雪发生次数都将明显减少, 区域平均年降雪量将减少5%, 而年极端降雪量和发生次数有微弱的增加, 分别增加约2%和4%。     

Hydrochemical characteristics and geochemistry evolution of groundwater in the plain area of the Lake Baiyangdian watershed,North China Plain

Water cycle and water quality in the Lake Baiyangdian watershed of the North China Plain have undergone great changes due to over-pumping of groundwater and wastewater discharge.In this paper,hydrogeochemical data was collected to analyze the hydrochemical characteristics and geochemistry evolution of groundwater.The study area was divided into two typical parts.One was in the upstream plain area,where over-pumping had resulted in significant decline of groundwater level;the other one was located in the downstream area near the Fu River and Lake Baiyangdian(Lake BYD region).In addition to the natural weathering of minerals,excessive fertilizer was also a main factor of higher ion concentration in groundwater.According to studies,due to good permeability,these regions were easy to be polluted even with deep groundwater depth.However,upstream shallow groundwater and surface water,including lake water,domestic along with industrial wastewater were all sources of present shallow groundwater in the Lake BYD region.Results indicated that anthropogenic activities rather than minerals much matter to the groundwater in these regions.Particularly,wastewater largely decided the groundwater quality,which suggested that the management and restoration of surface water quality was crucial to groundwater protection.     

银额盆地及邻区二叠系硅质岩岩石学、地球化学特征及沉积环境

通过对研究区二叠系硅质岩岩石学特征、主量及稀土元素地球化学研究,探讨硅质岩的地球化学特征及其沉积环境。结果表明,杭乌拉下二叠统埋汗哈达组硅质岩Al/(Al+Fe+Mn)值介于0.68~0.78之间,平均值为0.73,δCe值为0.89~0.94,平均值为0.90,二断井中二叠统菊石滩组Al/(Al+Fe+Mn)值介于0.50~0.67之间,平均值为0.60,δCe值介于0.85~0.90之间,平均值为0.88,在Al-Fe-Mn三角图上,样品点落入生物成因硅质岩区,指示研究区硅质岩为海水生物沉积成因。杭乌拉下二叠统埋汗哈达组硅质岩Al_2O_3/(Al_2O_3+Fe_2O_3)值为0.78~0.86,平均值为0.83,Mn O/Ti O2值为0.04~0.40,平均值为0.16,(La/Ce)N值为1.02~1.15,平均值为1.10,Ceanom值为-0.041~-0.001,平均值为-0.029,二断井中二叠统菊石滩组硅质岩Al_2O_3/(Al_2O_3+Fe_2O_3)值为0.82~0.91,平均值为0.87,Mn O/Ti O2值为0.05~0.47,平均值为0.24,(La/Ce)N值为1.00~1.12,平均值为1.06,Ceanom值为-0.058~-0.033,平均值为-0.045。这些地球化学指标指示了研究区硅质岩沉积于大陆边缘缺氧的水体环境中。     

Occurrence of soluble salts and moisture in the unsaturated zone and groundwater hydrochemistry along the middle and lower reaches of the Heihe River in northwest China

Deforestation, over-development of water resources and population growth have contributed to degeneration of vegetation in the Heihe River Basin in northwest China. Salts and water contents are the most important factors affecting the growth of vegetation in this arid area. This study was conducted to determine soluble salt levels of soils in the unsaturated zone and the hydrochemistry of groundwater at 14 sites in this region. Concentrations of soluble ions in the soils deceased with depth. Soil ion contents increased at depths below the root system of native plants. Sulfate was the dominant anion in both the unsaturated zone and the groundwater. Total dissolved solids (TDS) in groundwater ranged from less than 1 g/L in the middle reaches of the watershed to about 10 g/L in the arid lower reaches. In the middle and upper reaches of the watershed, salinity in soil and groundwater decreased. Groundwater was highly variable in hydrochemistry. The lower reaches was predominated by SO₄–Na•Mg and SO₄–Mg•Na type water, whereas in the middle reaches groundwater is characterized by lower TDS and HCO₃-dominated type water. Evapotranspiration is responsible for occurrence of the soluble salts in the soil profiles. Dissolution is the dominant chemical process in the middle reaches, whereas evapotranspiration prevails in the lower reaches of the Heihe River.     

Variability and stability of water resource in the arid regions of China: a case study of the Tarim River basin

In this study, we analyzed two long term streamflow records of the Aksu River basin, the main water source of the Tarim River basin, using multiscale t-test and F-test with the aim to understand the changing characteristics of hydrological regimes in terms of the first moment (mean or average) and the second moment (variance). The results indicate the following: 1) In general, increasing streamflow was observed in two periods: 1965–1970 and 1980–1985. Since 1986, the streamflow of the Aksu River has been persistently increasing. 2) Synchronous variations can be found between the subseries variance and the subseries mean, i.e., an increase in the subseries mean is usually consistent with an increase in the subseries variance, and vice versa. Therefore, streamflow changes of the Aksu River tend to be unsteady, although streamflow is persistently increasing since 1986. 3) The streamflow changes of the Aksu River are heavily dependent on precipitation and ice melting. Increase of precipitation and more ice melting in recent decades, particularly after the 1980s, are the major causes of streamflow changes of the Aksu River basin.     

Determination of groundwater availability in shallow arid region aquifers utilizing GIS technology: a case study in Hada Al-Sham, Western Saudi Arabia

A simple, physically based method is developed in this paper to assist in the allocation of areas with high groundwater potential and for the determination of maximum allowed pumping rate to ensure proper groundwater management. This method utilizes the aquifer physical properties as well as GIS technology to accomplish this purpose. The design of this method was considered to be applicable in areas with little data, such as in most arid regions. This technique was applied to a catchment in an arid environment where qualitative as well as quantitative analyses of the results were undertaken. Locations of available groundwater and rates of maximum allowable pumping were compared with observations and experiments in the field and a good agreement was found. It was concluded that the best groundwater location was in the alluvial area, which represents only 16% of the total aquifer, which is a typical case in arid region catchments. The rate of maximum pumping was estimated to be 65 m³/h. However, to benefit 55% of the area, the maximum pumping rate should only be 40 m³/h with an average rate throughout the area (55%) of about 24 m³/h.This revised version was published online in December 2004 with corrections to the category.