Identification and evaluation of the hydrogeochemical processes of the lower part of Wadi Siham catchment area, Tihama p
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Identification and evaluation of the hydrogeochemical processes of the lower part of Wadi Siham catchment area, Tihama plain, Yemen Ghunaim Nasher & Ali Al-Sayyaghi & Adel Al-Matary
Received: 22 December 2010 / Accepted: 27 October 2011 / Published online: 14 December 2011 # Saudi Society for Geosciences 2011
Abstract One hundred forty-eight groundwater samples were collected from the lower part of Wadi Siham catchment area for hydrogeochemical investigations to understand the hydrogeochemical processes affecting groundwater chemistry and their relation with groundwater quality. Groundwater in the study area is abstracted from different aquifers. The study area is characterized by arid climate and extremely high relative humidity. The results indicate that groundwater in the study area is fresh to brackish in nature. The abundance of the major ions is as follows: Na+1 >Ca+2 >Mg+2 ≥K+1 and Cl−1 > HCO3−1 >SO4−2 >NO3−1. Various graphical and ionic ration plots, statistical analyses, and saturation indices calculations have been carried out using chemical data to deduce a hydrochemical evaluation of the study area. The prevailing hydrogeochemical processes operating in the study area are dissolution, mixing, evaporation, ion exchange, and weathering of silicate minerals in the eastern part (recharge areas). The reverse ion exchange and seawater intrusion control the groundwater chemistry along the Red Sea coast areas and few parts of the study area. Deterioration in groundwater quality from anthropogenic activities has resulted from
G. Nasher Faculty of Marine Science and Environment, Hodeidah University, Hodeidah, Yemen A. Al-Sayyaghi National Program of IWRM, NWRA, Sana’a, Yemen A. Al-Matary (*) Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen e-mail: [email protected]
saltwater intrusion along the coastal areas due to groundwater overpumping and extensive use of fertilizers and infiltration of sewage water. Salinity and nitrate contamination are the two major problems in the area, which is alarming considering the use of this water for drinking. Keywords Groundwater . Hydrogeochemical processes . Saltwater intrusion . Wadi Siham . Yemen
Introduction Yemen is facing a chronic imbalance in the population–water resource equation. The demand for water in Yemen exceeds the available resources, and with the passage of time, the gap between both demand and supply widens. The groundwater resources in Yemen are overexploited at high rates, where some groundwater basins such as Sana’a and Sa’adah are showing strong signs of depletion, such as declining groundwater levels and increasing salinity (National Water Resource Authority (NWRA) open file). At present, under the conditions of population growth, industrial, irrigational, and other human activities, the increasing water use and the deteriorating water quality are gradually putting high stresses on the limited water resources. The hydrogeochemical processes reveal the zones and quality of water that are suitable for d
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