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Al Maliki A, Kumar US, Falih AH, Sultan MA, Al-Naemi A, Alshamsi D, Arman H, Ahmed A, Sabarathinam C. Geochemical processes, salinity sources and utility characterization of groundwater in a semi-arid region of Iraq through geostatistical and isotopic techniques. Environ Monit Assess 2024; 196:365. [PMID: 38483634 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12533-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Identifying factors contributing to water salinity is paramount in efficiently managing limited water resources in arid environments. The primary objective of this study is to enhance understanding regarding the hydrochemistry, source, and mechanism of water salinity, as well as to assess the suitability of water for various uses in southern Iraq. The groundwater samples were collected from water wells and springs and analyzed for major cations and anions along with stable isotopes (δ18O and δ2H) to accomplish the objective. The analysis of major ion chemistry, hydrochemical techniques, principal component analysis (PCA), and isotope signatures were adopted to determine the primary factors contributing to water mineralization. The study inferred that evaporation and geological processes encompassing water-rock interactions, such as dissolution precipitation and ion exchange, were key processes. The stable isotope analysis revealed that the water originated from meteoric sources and underwent significant evaporation during or before infiltration. The utility assessment of water samples indicates that most samples are not appropriate for consumption and are significantly below the established standards for potable water. In contrast, a significant portion of the groundwater samples were found to meet the criteria for irrigation suitability by adopting Wilcox and the US Salinity Laboratory criteria. The groundwater could be considered for irrigation with proper salinity control management. Overall, this study has significantly improved the understanding of the hydrogeochemical regimes and acts as a first step toward the sustainable utilization of water resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Al Maliki
- Ministry of Science and Technology/ Environment, Water and renewable energy Directorate, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - U Saravana Kumar
- Isotope Hydrology Section, Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ali Hasan Falih
- Ministry of Science and Technology/ Environment, Water and renewable energy Directorate, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - M A Sultan
- Ministry of Science and Technology/ Environment, Water and renewable energy Directorate, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Amer Al-Naemi
- Ministry of Science and Technology/ Environment, Water and renewable energy Directorate, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Dalal Alshamsi
- Geosciences Department, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates
- National Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hasan Arman
- Geosciences Department, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates
| | - Alaa Ahmed
- Geosciences Department, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates
- National Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates
- Geology Department, Division of Water Resource, Desert Research Center, Mathaf El Matariya Street, Cairo, 11753, Egypt
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Ahmed A, Al Maliki A, Hashim B, Alshamsi D, Arman H, Gad A. Flood susceptibility mapping utilizing the integration of geospatial and multivariate statistical analysis, Erbil area in Northern Iraq as a case study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11919. [PMID: 37488264 PMCID: PMC10366121 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39290-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate extreme events such as floods and droughts in any area have a significant impact on human life, infrastructure, agriculture, and the economy. In the last two years, flash floods caused by heavy rainstorms have become frequent and destructive in many catchments in Northern Iraq. The present study aims to examine flash floods in the Erbil region, Northern Iraq using Remote sensing (RS), Geographic Information System (GIS), and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) for geomorphic data. PCA results revealed that 12 geomorphic parameters exhibited a significant correlation with two different statistical components. To facilitate practical application, ranks are assigned based on the calculated parameters for flood susceptibility mapping. Out of the 24 basins in the current study, three basins (16, 3, and 14) have the highest geomorphometric values (36-39), indicating the zone most susceptible to flash floods and making up a maximum area of 38.58% of the studied region. Six basins (4, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 15), which have geomorphometric values between 30 and 35 and cover a land area of 27.86%, are the most moderately vulnerable to floods. The remaining basins, which make up 33.47% of the research, are occasionally subject to floods and have geomorphometric scores below 30. The precision of the flood susceptibility mapping was validated using the bifurcation ratio and drainage density relationship as well as past flood damages, such as economic losses and human casualties. Most of the recorded injuries and fatalities took place in areas that were particularly prone to severe past flooding. Additionally, the investigation revealed that 44.56% of all populated areas are located in extremely vulnerable basins. The findings demonstrate a notable correlation between the identified flood-susceptible areas and the occurrence of past flood damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Ahmed
- Geosciences Department, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
- National Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
- Geology Department, Division of Water Resource, Desert Research Center, Mathaf El Matariya Street, Cairo, 11753, Egypt.
| | - Ali Al Maliki
- Ministry of Science and Technology, Environment, Water and Renewable Energy Directorate, Baghdad, 765, Iraq
| | - Bassim Hashim
- Ministry of Science and Technology, Environment, Water and Renewable Energy Directorate, Baghdad, 765, Iraq
| | - Dalal Alshamsi
- Geosciences Department, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- National Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hasan Arman
- Geosciences Department, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed Gad
- Geosciences Department, United Arab Emirates University, 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
- Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
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Al Rashed M, Sefelnasr A, Sherif M, Murad A, Alshamsi D, Aliewi A, Ebraheem AA. Novel concept for water scarcity quantification considering nonconventional and virtual water resources in arid countries: Application in Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Sci Total Environ 2023; 882:163473. [PMID: 37075988 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The lack of perennial streams or surface water in most arid countries necessitates input modification and water scarcity/security equation calculation as per the water resource systems and physiographic conditions in these countries. The contributions of nonconventional and virtual water resources to water security have been disregarded or undervalued in previous research on global water scarcity. This study addresses this knowledge gap by developing a new framework for estimating water scarcity/security. The proposed framework considers the contributions of unconventional and virtual water resources and the roles of economics, technology, water availability, service accessibility, water safety and quality, water management, and resilience to threats on water and food security, and considers institutional changes required to adjust to water scarcity. To manage water demand, the new framework incorporates metrics for all categories of water resources. Although the framework was specifically designed for arid regions, particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, it is applicable to non-arid nations too. The framework was implemented in GCC countries, which are suitable examples of arid countries with notable virtual commerce. The ratio of abstraction from freshwater resources to renewability from conventional water sources was calculated to determine the extent of water stress in each country. The values obtained from measurement varied from 0.4 (the optimal threshold level for Bahrain) to 22 (severe water stress/low water security in Kuwait). Considering the nonconventional and abstracted nonrenewable groundwater volumes from the total water demand in the GCC, the minimum water stress value measured was 0.13 in Kuwait, suggesting considerable reliance on nonconventional water resources along with little domestic food production to achieve water security. The novel water scarcity/stress index framework was found to be appropriate for arid and hyper-arid regions, such as the GCC, where virtual water trade has a major positive impact on water security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Al Rashed
- National Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirates University, 15551 Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, 13109 Safat, Kuwait
| | - Ahmed Sefelnasr
- National Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirates University, 15551 Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Mohsen Sherif
- National Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirates University, 15551 Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, College of Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, 15551 Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed Murad
- National Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirates University, 15551 Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Geosciences Department, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, 15551 Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Dalal Alshamsi
- National Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirates University, 15551 Al Ain, United Arab Emirates; Geosciences Department, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, 15551 Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amjad Aliewi
- Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, 13109 Safat, Kuwait
| | - Abdel Azim Ebraheem
- National Water and Energy Center, United Arab Emirates University, 15551 Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Soliman AM, Alshamsi D, Murad AA, Aldahan A, Ali IM, Ayesh AI, Elhaty IA. Photocatalytic removal of nitrate from water using activated carbon-loaded with bimetallic Pd -Ag nanoparticles under natural solar radiation. J Photochem Photobiol A Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2022.114175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Gómez-Alday JJ, Hussein S, Arman H, Alshamsi D, Murad A, Elhaj K, Aldahan A. A multi-isotopic evaluation of groundwater in a rapidly developing area and implications for water management in hyper-arid regions. Sci Total Environ 2022; 805:150245. [PMID: 34534868 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Management of water resources in hyper-arid areas faces vital challenges in a global climate change context. Consequently, understanding the effects on groundwater sources can help mitigating the problem of water scarcity and the negative impact of human intervention on the environment. A case study area in the hyper-arid climate of the United Arab Emirates, was tackled here with the focus on applying stable isotopes as tools for evaluating groundwater sources and quality assessment. The results of major ions indicate variable increase in groundwater salinity moving away from Al Hajar Mountains recharge areas to the discharge areas (Arabian Gulf coast). The data of stable isotopes (δ18OH2O, δ2HH2O, δ18ONO3, δ15NNO3, δ18OSO4, δ34SSO4, δ11B) suggest impact of paleo-groundwater in the abstractions of the wells nearest to the coast. Nitrate isotopes indicate farming activities sources that can be masked due to the contribution from the nitrate-poor paleo-groundwater. Nitrate reduction processes are expected near to the recharge front. Sulphate and boron isotopes further suggest that influence of ancient evaporite dissolution in salinization. Management efforts should be focused on the diffuse sources of quality mitigations that can be vital in fingerprinting local and regional (transboundary) effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan José Gómez-Alday
- Biotechnology and Natural Resources Section, Institute for Regional Development (IDR), University of Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Campus Universitario s/n, 02071 Albacete, Spain
| | - Saber Hussein
- Department of Geosciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O.Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hasan Arman
- Department of Geosciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O.Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Dalal Alshamsi
- Department of Geosciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O.Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ahmed Murad
- Department of Geosciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O.Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Khalid Elhaj
- Department of Geosciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O.Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ala Aldahan
- Department of Geosciences, United Arab Emirates University, P.O.Box 15551, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.
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Zhang HW, Sun YQ, Li Y, Zhou XD, Tang XZ, Yi P, Murad A, Hussein S, Alshamsi D, Aldahan A, Yu ZB, Chen XG, Mugwaneza VDP. Quality assessment of groundwater from the south-eastern Arabian Peninsula. Environ Monit Assess 2017; 189:411. [PMID: 28735434 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6092-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Assessment of groundwater quality plays a significant role in the utilization of the scarce water resources globally and especially in arid regions. The increasing abstraction together with man-made contamination and seawater intrusion have strongly affected groundwater quality in the Arabia Peninsula, exemplified by the investigation given here from the United Arab Emirates, where the groundwater is seldom reviewed and assessed. In the aim of assessing current groundwater quality, we here present a comparison of chemical data linked to aquifers types. The results reveal that most of the investigated groundwater is not suitable for drinking, household, and agricultural purposes following the WHO permissible limits. Aquifer composition and climate have vital control on the water quality, with the carbonate aquifers contain the least potable water compared to the ophiolites and Quaternary clastics. Seawater intrusion along coastal regions has deteriorated the water quality and the phenomenon may become more intensive with future warming climate and rising sea level.
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Affiliation(s)
- H W Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
| | - Y Q Sun
- Department of Energy & Resources Engineering and Institute of Water Sciences ,College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Y Li
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
| | - X D Zhou
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
| | - X Z Tang
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
| | - P Yi
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China.
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing, China.
| | - A Murad
- Department of Geology, United Arab Emirates University, POB 15551, Al Ain, UAE
| | - S Hussein
- Department of Geology, United Arab Emirates University, POB 15551, Al Ain, UAE
| | - D Alshamsi
- Department of Geology, United Arab Emirates University, POB 15551, Al Ain, UAE
| | - A Aldahan
- Department of Geology, United Arab Emirates University, POB 15551, Al Ain, UAE.
| | - Z B Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
| | - X G Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
| | - V D P Mugwaneza
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
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Murad A, Zhou XD, Yi P, Alshamsi D, Aldahan A, Hou XL, Yu ZB. Natural radioactivity in groundwater from the south-eastern Arabian Peninsula and environmental implications. Environ Monit Assess 2014; 186:6157-6167. [PMID: 24903925 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-3846-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is the most valuable resource in arid regions, and recognizing radiological criteria among other water quality parameters is essential for sustainable use. In the investigation presented here, gross-α and gross-β were measured in groundwater samples collected in the south-eastern Arabian Peninsula, 67 wells in Unite Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as two wells and one spring in Oman. The results show a wide gross-α and gross-β activities range in the groundwater samples that vary at 0.01∼19.5 Bq/l and 0.13∼6.6 Bq/l, respectively. The data show gross-β and gross-α values below the WHO permissible limits for drinking water in the majority of the investigated samples except those in region 4 (Jabel Hafit and surroundings). No correlation between groundwater pH and the gross-α and gross-β, while high temperatures probably enhance leaching of radionuclides from the aquifer body and thereby increase the radioactivity in the groundwater. This conclusion is also supported by the positive correlation between radioactivity and amount of total dissolved solid. Particular water purification technology and environmental impact assessments are essential for sustainable and secure use of the groundwater in regions that show radioactivity values far above the WHO permissible limit for drinking water.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Murad
- Department of Geology, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
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Murad A, Alshamsi D, Hou XL, Al Shidi F, Al Kendi R, Aldahan A. Radioactivity in groundwater along the borders of Oman and UAE. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-013-2911-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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