Aquifer Characterization and Quantitative Assessment of Over Exploitation of the Shallow Aquifer in AI Maqam AI Saad Area the Eastern Region, Abu Dhabi Emirate

Abstract

Al Maqam-AI Saad area is located to the west of Al Ain city on Al Ain-Abu Dhabi Highway. This area was chosen to be studied because of the rapid decline of the water level in the shallow aquifer as a result of continuous heavy withdrawal of the ground water. In 1990-1991, the area was recognized as one of the major ground water depressions in the Eastern Region where more than 40 meters of draw down were noted in the center of depression . The objective of this study is to determine the hydraulic status of the aquifer by means of characterization and to carry out a quantitative assessment of the shallow aquifer in the study area. The characterization of the aquifer was conducted in order to assess the hydraulic conductivity in the area by means of re-analysis of previously conducted pumping tests. Pumping tests conducted in the area by the Ground-water Research Program (GWRP) were reanalyzed using Aquifer Test Software. The results of the reanalysis are displayed in maps of transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity. The hydraulic conductivity in the area is small and ranges from 1 to 5 meters per day with increasing trend from east to west. This range of values is consistent with the heterogeneous lithology of the aquifer that ranges from well sorted to poorly sorted gravel inter bedded with clay \u27) stone, siltstones, shale, and limestone. In addition to the pumping tests analysis, geological intonation and ground-water salinity distribution maps were also taken into Consideration In the aquifer characterization and hence in the aquifer as assessmen