Integrated Approach for the Assessment and Development of Groundwater Resources in Arid Lands: Applications in the Quetta Valley, Pakistan

The lack of adequate field measurements (e.g., precipitation and stream flow) and difficulty in obtaining them often hampers the construction and calibration of rainfallrunoff models over many of the world’s watersheds, leaving key elements of the hydrologic cycle unconstrained. We adopted methodologies that rely heavily on readily available remote sensing datasets as viable alternatives and useful tools for assessing, managing, and modeling the water resources of such remote and inadequately gauged regions. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool was selected for continuous (1998–2005) rainfall-runoff modeling of the northeast part of the Pishin Lora basin (NEPL), a politically unstable area that lacks adequate rain gauge and stream flow data. To account for the paucity of rain gauge and stream flow gauge data, input to the model included satellite-based Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission TRMM precipitation data. Modeled runoff was calibrated against satellite-based observations including: (1) monthly estimates of the water volumes impounded by the Khushdil Khan (latitude 30° 40'N, longitude 67° 40'E) and the Kara Lora (latitude 30° 34'N, longitude 66° 52'E) reservoirs, and (2) inferred wet versus dry conditions in streams across the NEPL throughout this period. Calibrations were also conducted against observed flow reported from the Burj Aziz Khan station at the NEPL outlet (latitude 30°20'N; longitude 66°35'E). Model simulations indicate that (1) average annual precipitation (1998–2005), surface runoff, and net recharge are 1,300 × 106 m3, 148 × 106 m3, and 361 × 106 m3, respectively; (2) within the NEPL watershed, precipitation and runoff are high for the northeast (precipitation: 194 mm/year; runoff: 38 × 106 m3/year) and northwest (134 mm/year; 26 × 106 m3/y) basins compared to the southern basin (124 mm/year; 8 × 106 m3/year); and (3) construction of delay action dams in the northeast and northwest basins of the NEPL could increase recharge from 361 × 106 m3/year up to 432 × 106 m3/year and achieve sustainable extraction. The adopted methodologies are not a substitute for traditional approaches that require extensive field datasets, but they could provide first-order estimates for rainfall, runoff, and recharge in the arid and semi-arid parts of the world that are inaccessible and/or lack adequate coverage with stream flow and precipitation data

A geospatial model to determine patterns in river ice cover breakup and jamming behaviour

In the past, both empirical and process-based attempts have been made to predict river ice behaviour, in particular ice cover breakup and ice jamming occurrences. These methods perform with varying and limited success and tend to be site specific. A method is required which can simply estimate the predisposition of river reaches to ice breakup and jamming events. This paper introduces a geospatial modelling approach which can fulfil that task and improve the predictive power of ice cover breakup and ice jamming behaviour. The geospatial model can determine the most vulnerable sections along the studied reaches to such behaviour, which are phenomena entailing hydraulic, ice morphology and fluvial geomorphology. A geospatial model clusters hydraulic characteristics (e.g. discharge or stage), ice characteristics (e.g. ice thickness and ice type) and river geomorphological characteristics (e.g. sinuosity, slope, width, etc.) into common river features called Geomorphic Response Units (GRU). A statistical clustering technique such as principle component analysis (PCA) is used to derive these GRUs. It is assumed that certain GRUs will be more susceptible to certain ice cover behaviour, such as breakup and jamming of river ice. Data acquired along the Slave River and its delta in Canada is used to test the geospatial model. The main data sources are space-borne remote sensing MODIS imagery and traditional and local knowledge from members of the communities alongside the river, in particular Fort Resolution and Fort Smit

A geospatial model to determine patterns in river ice cover breakup and jamming behaviour

In the past, both empirical and process-based attempts have been made to predict river ice behaviour, in particular ice cover breakup and ice jamming occurrences. These methods perform with varying and limited success and tend to be site specific. A method is required which can simply estimate the predisposition of river reaches to ice breakup and jamming events. This paper introduces a geospatial modelling approach which can fulfil that task and improve the predictive power of ice cover breakup and ice jamming behaviour. The geospatial model can determine the most vulnerable sections along the studied reaches to such behaviour, which are phenomena entailing hydraulic, ice morphology and fluvial geomorphology. A geospatial model clusters hydraulic characteristics (e.g. discharge or stage), ice characteristics (e.g. ice thickness and ice type) and river geomorphological characteristics (e.g. sinuosity, slope, width, etc.) into common river features called Geomorphic Response Units (GRU). A statistical clustering technique such as principle component analysis (PCA) is used to derive these GRUs. It is assumed that certain GRUs will be more susceptible to certain ice cover behaviour, such as breakup and jamming of river ice. Data acquired along the Slave River and its delta in Canada is used to test the geospatial model. The main data sources are space-borne remote sensing MODIS imagery and traditional and local knowledge from members of the communities alongside the river, in particular Fort Resolution and Fort Smit

Integrated Approach for the Assessment and Development of Groundwater Resources in Arid Lands: Applications in the Quetta Valley, Pakistan

The lack of adequate field measurements (e.g., precipitation and stream flow) and difficulty in obtaining them often hampers the construction and calibration of rainfallrunoff models over many of the world’s watersheds, leaving key elements of the hydrologic cycle unconstrained. We adopted methodologies that rely heavily on readily available remote sensing datasets as viable alternatives and useful tools for assessing, managing, and modeling the water resources of such remote and inadequately gauged regions. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool was selected for continuous (1998–2005) rainfall-runoff modeling of the northeast part of the Pishin Lora basin (NEPL), a politically unstable area that lacks adequate rain gauge and stream flow data. To account for the paucity of rain gauge and stream flow gauge data, input to the model included satellite-based Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission TRMM precipitation data. Modeled runoff was calibrated against satellite-based observations including: (1) monthly estimates of the water volumes impounded by the Khushdil Khan (latitude 30° 40'N, longitude 67° 40'E) and the Kara Lora (latitude 30° 34'N, longitude 66° 52'E) reservoirs, and (2) inferred wet versus dry conditions in streams across the NEPL throughout this period. Calibrations were also conducted against observed flow reported from the Burj Aziz Khan station at the NEPL outlet (latitude 30°20'N; longitude 66°35'E). Model simulations indicate that (1) average annual precipitation (1998–2005), surface runoff, and net recharge are 1,300 × 106 m3, 148 × 106 m3, and 361 × 106 m3, respectively; (2) within the NEPL watershed, precipitation and runoff are high for the northeast (precipitation: 194 mm/year; runoff: 38 × 106 m3/year) and northwest (134 mm/year; 26 × 106 m3/y) basins compared to the southern basin (124 mm/year; 8 × 106 m3/year); and (3) construction of delay action dams in the northeast and northwest basins of the NEPL could increase recharge from 361 × 106 m3/year up to 432 × 106 m3/year and achieve sustainable extraction. The adopted methodologies are not a substitute for traditional approaches that require extensive field datasets, but they could provide first-order estimates for rainfall, runoff, and recharge in the arid and semi-arid parts of the world that are inaccessible and/or lack adequate coverage with stream flow and precipitation data

Relationship between 20th Century Dune Migration and Wetland Formation at Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts

Outer Cape Cod (Massachusetts) is dominated by active and stabilizing parabolic and transverse dunes interspersed with numerous inter-dune wetlands. Dune migration has been significantly affected by human activities; conversely, current dune movements are affecting local populations. The objective of the reported research was to assess, using remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) technologies, migration of the Cape Cod dunes and the effect of dune movement on distribution of associated wetlands. Aerial photographs from 1938 through 2003 were analyzed to track individual dune movements and subsequent wetland propagation and expansion. Absolute dune movement rates during this period were computed, with a plot of dune movement as a cumulative function. One sub-problem of this study was to quantify ‘white’ areas of active moving sand and ‘dark’ areas of vegetation, in order to quantify changes in vegetative cover with wetland propagation and, conversely, vegetative disappearance with dune movement. Attempts were made to correlate the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) with dune migration. Based on review of aerial photographs, parabolic dunes have migrated 150 to 250 m since 1938, with 60% of the movement occurring between 1938 and 1977. The relation between absolute parabolic dune migration and corresponding PDSI is approximately logarithmic. Maximum dune migration is associated with PDSI values lower than –2 and reflects moderate drought conditions. Wetlands consistently trailed the dunes, and the distance of wetland movement was related to dune movement distances. Wetland migration was particularly marked from the 1950s to the 1980s. Based on review of georeferenced aerial photographs, it is concluded that marked stabilization of Cape Cod dunes occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, with renewed movement in the 21st Century. This study provides a practical application for assessment of dune migration and vegetative transformations over time using remote sensing and GIS technologie

A Detailed Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan, and Suitability for Future Development

Kabul is one of the most populated cities in Afghanistan and providing resources to support this population in an arid climate presents a serious environmental challenge. The current study evaluated the quality of local Kabul Basin groundwater to determine its suitability water for drinking and irrigation purposes now and into the future. This aim was aided through groundwater parameter assessment as well as determination ofWater Quality Index (WQI) developed from 15 observation points near the city. The results of our physicochemical analysis illustrate that groundwater in the majority of areas of the Kabul Basin is not generally suitable for human consumption, and in some cases the concentrations of many contaminants are higher than accepted health standards or water quality benchmarks. The aquifer underlies an arid landscape, and because of this 85% of the samples tested are very hard while just over 13% are classified as hard. Groundwater in the Kabul Basin is typically high in calcium and magnesium and overall classified as a calcium bicarbonate water type. Overall, more than 60% of the analyzed samples had concentrations higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) standard of total dissolved solids (TDS), 10% in total hardness (TH), about 30% in turbidity and more than 90% in magnesium. The results show that based on WQI, without treatment, roughly 5% of groundwater in the studied area is unsuitable for human consumption, while 13.3% is very poor and 40% is poor quality water. Approximately 40% of the assessed groundwater has good quality and could be used as drinking water for future development. Groundwater in some areas shows evidence of pollution and high dissolved solids content, rendering these sources unsuitable for either drinking or irrigation purposes

A Detailed Assessment of Groundwater Quality in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan, and Suitability for Future Development

Abstract: Kabul is one of the most populated cities in Afghanistan and providing resources to support this population in an arid climate presents a serious environmental challenge. The current study evaluated the quality of local Kabul Basin groundwater to determine its suitability water for drinking and irrigation purposes now and into the future. This aim was aided through groundwater parameter assessment as well as determination ofWater Quality Index (WQI) developed from 15 observation points near the city. The results of our physicochemical analysis illustrate that groundwater in the majority of areas of the Kabul Basin is not generally suitable for human consumption, and in some cases the concentrations of many contaminants are higher than accepted health standards or water quality benchmarks. The aquifer underlies an arid landscape, and because of this 85% of the samples tested are very hard while just over 13% are classified as hard. Groundwater in the Kabul Basin is typically high in calcium and magnesium and overall classified as a calcium bicarbonate water type. Overall, more than 60% of the analyzed samples had concentrations higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) standard of total dissolved solids (TDS), 10% in total hardness (TH), about 30% in turbidity and more than 90% in magnesium. The results show that based on WQI, without treatment, roughly 5% of groundwater in the studied area is unsuitable for human consumption, while 13.3% is very poor and 40% is poor quality water. Approximately 40% of the assessed groundwater has good quality and could be used as drinking water for future development. Groundwater in some areas shows evidence of pollution and high dissolved solids content, rendering these sources unsuitable for either drinking or irrigation purposes

Red Sea Rifting Controls on Groundwater Reservoir Distribution: Constraints from Geophysical, Isotopic, and Remote Sensing Data

Highly productive wells in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt are tapping groundwater in subsided blocks of Jurassic to Cretaceous sandstone (Taref Formation of the Nubian Sandstone Group) and Oligocene to Miocene sandstone (Nakheil Formation), now occurring beneath the Red Sea coastal plain and within the proximal basement complex. Aquifer development is related to Red Sea rifting: (1) rifting was accommodated by vertical extensional displacement on preexisting NW-SE– to N-S–trending faults forming a complex array of half-grabens and asymmetric horsts; and (2) subsided blocks escaped erosion accompanying the Red Sea–related uplift. Subsided blocks were identifi ed and verifi ed using satellite data, geologic maps, and fi eld and geophysical investigations. Interpretations of very low frequency (VLF) measurements suggest the faults acted as conduits for ascending groundwater from the subsided aquifers. Stable isotopic compositions (δD: –19.3‰ to –53.9‰; δ18O: –2.7‰ to –7.1‰) of groundwater samples from these aquifers are interpreted as mixtures of fossil (up to 70%) and modern (up to 65%) precipitation. Groundwater volumes in subsided blocks are large; within the Central Eastern Desert basement complex alone, they are estimated at 3 × 109 m3 and 10 × 109 m3 for the Nakheil and Taref Formations, respectively. Results highlight the potential for identifying similar rift-related aquifer systems along the Red Sea–Gulf of Suez system, and in rift systems elsewhere. An understanding of the distribution of Red Sea rift–related aquifers and modern recharge contributions to these aquifers could assist in addressing the rising demands for fresh water supplies and water scarcity issues in the regio

Red Sea Rifting Controls on Groundwater Reservoir Distribution: Constraints from Geophysical, Isotopic, and Remote Sensing Data

Highly productive wells in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt are tapping groundwater in subsided blocks of Jurassic to Cretaceous sandstone (Taref Formation of the Nubian Sandstone Group) and Oligocene to Miocene sandstone (Nakheil Formation), now occurring beneath the Red Sea coastal plain and within the proximal basement complex. Aquifer development is related to Red Sea rifting: (1) rifting was accommodated by vertical extensional displacement on preexisting NW-SE– to N-S–trending faults forming a complex array of half-grabens and asymmetric horsts; and (2) subsided blocks escaped erosion accompanying the Red Sea–related uplift. Subsided blocks were identifi ed and verifi ed using satellite data, geologic maps, and fi eld and geophysical investigations. Interpretations of very low frequency (VLF) measurements suggest the faults acted as conduits for ascending groundwater from the subsided aquifers. Stable isotopic compositions (δD: –19.3‰ to –53.9‰; δ18O: –2.7‰ to –7.1‰) of groundwater samples from these aquifers are interpreted as mixtures of fossil (up to 70%) and modern (up to 65%) precipitation. Groundwater volumes in subsided blocks are large; within the Central Eastern Desert basement complex alone, they are estimated at 3 × 109 m3 and 10 × 109 m3 for the Nakheil and Taref Formations, respectively. Results highlight the potential for identifying similar rift-related aquifer systems along the Red Sea–Gulf of Suez system, and in rift systems elsewhere. An understanding of the distribution of Red Sea rift–related aquifers and modern recharge contributions to these aquifers could assist in addressing the rising demands for fresh water supplies and water scarcity issues in the regio

Groundwater inflow modeling for a Kazakhstan copper ore deposit

Mining exploration is widely spread throughout Kazakhstan and it is an important part of the country’s economy. However, mining can create landslides, as well as both surface and groundwater pollution. The purpose of this research is to model the water movement and water volume changes for one of Kazakhstan's mining operations. In this study, we have modeled and predicted the water volume changes within a mining operation for the next 50 years, until the year 2065. The sulphide-ore mining operation, which was studied, is located in East Kazakhstan. Several mining development scenarios with groundwater volume changes were prepared. One of the modeling scenarios was related to the mining pit exploration up to a depth of 100 meters. The groundwater inflow was computed at 106.3 m3/hour, or 2551.6 m3/day for this scenario. Another modeling scenario for the same mining pit had a depth at 585 meters. The groundwater inflow for this scenario was computed at 268.6 m3/hour, or 6447.3 m3/day. Calibration and verification were provided for the modeling work, and results were compared to the water balance. The results of this work could be considered for the engineering design to drain the groundwater from the mining pit. This research work and methodology are replicable and could be applied to other mining explorations and groundwater inflow prediction analyses. The methodology can be adapted to open pit mines under similar condition