Hydrogeochemical Variations of Groundwater of the Northern Jabal Hafit in Eastern Part of Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- 1 Department of Geology, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
- 2 WJ Groundwater Ltd., Dubai/Jumierah Lakes Towers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- 3 Department of Geology, UAE University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
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.
- H. S. Al Nuaimi, “Hydrogeological and Geophysical Studies on Al Jaww plain, Al Ain Area, United Arab Emirates,” M.Sc Thesis, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 2003, 159 p.
- M. E. Altoviski, “Dictionary for Hydrgeologist. Gosgeolitchizdat,” USSR, Moscow, 1962, 616 p.
- M. C. Brook, “History & Current Status of Municipal Wellfields in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi Emirate, 1979-2002,” Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD), Abu Dhabi, Vol. 1 and 11, 2003.
- S. N. Davis and R. J. De Weist, “Hydrogeology,” John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1966, 108 p.
- F. El-Shami, “The Hydrogeochemistry of the Spring of Ain Bu Sukhanah,” U.A.E. Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, Vol. 8, No. 1, 1990, pp. 34-36.
- Environment Agency, “Abu Dhabi Water Resources Statistics,” Abu Dhabi (EAD), 2003.
- H. K. Garamoon, “Hydrogeological and Geomorphological Studies on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai-Al Ain Triangle, UAE,” Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Geology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Ain Shames University, Egypt, 1996, 127 p.
- K. W. Glennie, M. G. A. Bouef, M. W. H. Clarke, M. M. Stuart, W. F. H. Pillar and B. M. Reinhardt, “Geology of the Oman Mountains,” Transactions of the Royal Dutch Geological and Mining Society, Koninklijk Nederlands Geological Genootshap., 1974, pp. 31-423.
- A. A. Hamdan and H. S. Anan, ”Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary in the United Arab Emirates,”. M.E.R.C, Ain Shams University, Earth Science Series, Vol. 7, 1993, pp. 223-231.
- A. A. Hamdan and S. A. Bahr, “Lithostratigraphy of the Paleogene Succession of Northern Jabal Hafit., Al-Ain Area, UAE.,” M.E.R.C., Ain Shams University, Earth Sci. Ser., Vol. 6, 1992, pp. 201-224.
- A. A. Hamdan and W. Z. El-Deeb, “Stratigraphy of the Paleogene Succession of Jabal Malaqet, West of the Northern Oman Mountains.,” Fac. Sci., UAE University., Vol. 2, 1990, pp. 30-39.
- J. D. Hem, “Study and Interpretation of the Chemical Characteristics of Natural Water,” 3rd Edition, Water-Supply Paper 2254, US Geological Survey, 1989.
- Hunting Geology and Geophysics Ltd., Report on Mineral Survey of the U.A.E., Al-Ain Area, Vol. 9, 1979, p 29.
- HydroConsult, “Reconnaissance Report and Development Proposals, Abu Dhabi, (UAE) Eastern Region Water Resources,” Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Report, Government of Abu Dhabi, 1987, 126 p.