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Comparison and Hydrochemical Characterization of Groundwater Resources in the Arabian Peninsula: A Case Study of Al-Baha and Al-Qassim in Saudi Arabia

  • HYDROCHEMISTRY, HYDROBIOLOGY: ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
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Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare and assess the quality and study the hydrochemistry of groundwater in the Al-Baha and Al-Qassim areas, representing the Arabian Shield and Arabian Shelf, respectively, of the Arabian Peninsula. The chemical and microbiological constituents of the groundwaters of the two sites were acquired and compared. The Al-Baha analyses indicated that the underground water near urban area is subject to contamination by E. coli and nitrate. However, the dissolved salts and soluble ions were at an acceptable level according to WHO standards. In Al-Qassim, 77% of the studied groundwater samples were inappropriate for drinking because of high salinity; however, 60% had slight to moderate salinity hazard for use in irrigation. At both regions, trace elements were found to be within acceptable limits for irrigation and drinking. Piper, Schoeller, and Durov diagrams showed that the majority of the investigated groundwaters in Al-Baha were calcium–magnesium, chloride–sulfate water type. However, 51% of the studied waters in Al-Qassim were sodium, chloride, sulfate water type. The geology of Al-Baha is comprised of gypsum, anhydride, and dolomite. The geology of Al-Qassim is dominantly comprised of halite. The saturation index indicated that the Al-Baha groundwaters are undersaturated with respect to halite, gypsum, and anhydrite; however, the groundwaters of Al-Qassim are undersaturated with respect to halite. The approach utilized in this investigation could be useful in similar environments worldwide.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank King Saud University, Deanship of Scientific Research, College of Food and Agriculture Science, Research Center, for supporting this research.

The authors also thank the Deanship of Scientific Research and RSSU at King Saud University for their technical support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Soil Sciences Department, Food Sciences and Agriculture, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, 11451, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Fahad N. Al-Barakah, Anwar A. Aly, Abdulaziz G. Alghamdi & Mohammad S. Al-Sewailem

  2. Soil and Water Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt

    Anwar A. Aly

  3. Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Emad H. S. Abaakhel

  4. Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Abdulwahid M. Al-Rizkid

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  1. Fahad N. Al-Barakah
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Correspondence to Fahad N. Al-Barakah, Anwar A. Aly, Emad H. S. Abaakhel or Abdulwahid M. Al-Rizkid.

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Fahad N. Al-Barakah, Aly, A.A., Abaakhel, E.H. et al. Comparison and Hydrochemical Characterization of Groundwater Resources in the Arabian Peninsula: A Case Study of Al-Baha and Al-Qassim in Saudi Arabia. Water Resour 47, 877–891 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0097807820050073

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