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Hydrochemical processes determining the groundwater quality for irrigation use in an arid environment: The case of Liwa Aquifer, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Groundwater for Sustainable Development
  • Jibran Iqbal, Zayed University
  • Yousef Nazzal, Zayed University
  • Fares Howari, Zayed University
  • Cijo Xavier, Zayed University
  • Ahmad Yousef, Independent Geospatial Researcher
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2018
Abstract

© 2018 Evaluation of groundwater quality is very important in arid regions like United Arab Emirates where high evaporation rates and absence of present-day recharge coupled with increasing groundwater extraction may limit its use for irrigation purposes. The liwa aquifer in Abu Dhabi Emirate is known for its intensive agriculture activities which depend on groundwater exploitation. The objective of the study was to determine the hydrochemical processes governing the groundwater chemistry, evaluation of groundwater quality and suitability for irrigation use. In the present study, 41 groundwater samples were collected from Liwa area in Abu Dhabi and analyzed for various physiochemical parameters such as pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, CO3−, HCO3−, Cl−, SO42−, NO3- and heavy metals. Electrical conductivity varies between 328 and 3003 uS/cm with an average value of 1478.5 uS/cm. Results show that changes in the groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by rock weathering, to some extent evaporation and agricultural activities. The sodium ion was the main cation with an average value of 2923.2 mg/L, while the chloride ion was the dominant anion with an average value of 5670.8 mg/L. The water in the study area is mostly saline due to the dominance of these two ions. According to piper diagram, the main groundwater type in the study area was Na-Cl-SO4 type. The suitability for agriculture use was assessed using sodium absorption ratio (SAR), sodium percentage (Na%), residual sodium concentration (RSC), Kelley's ratio, and magnesium hazard. Results showed that the groundwater quality in the study area is not suitable for irrigation.

Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Disciplines
Keywords
  • Arid region,
  • Groundwater quality,
  • Hydrochemistry,
  • Irrigation,
  • Liwa aquifer,
  • UAE
Scopus ID
85048874732
Indexed in Scopus
Yes
Open Access
No
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsd.2018.06.004
Citation Information
Jibran Iqbal, Yousef Nazzal, Fares Howari, Cijo Xavier, et al.. "Hydrochemical processes determining the groundwater quality for irrigation use in an arid environment: The case of Liwa Aquifer, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates" Groundwater for Sustainable Development Vol. 7 (2018) p. 212 - 219 ISSN: <a href="https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/issn/2352-801X" target="_blank">2352-801X</a>
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/yousef-nazzal/14/