Abstract
A classification approach has been implemented in the present work by integrating traditional water sample analysis methods and Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities in order to classify zones with acceptable groundwater quality for drinking. GIS extrapolation capabilities with their multi-conditional layering facilities were integrated together in order to assess in the determination of areas suitable for drinking purposes. This technique was implemented in Wadi Rabigh, Western Saudi Arabia, due to its significance as one of the most promising areas in the Western Province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, owing to the establishment of King Abdullah Commercial City and King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) nearby. Results show that only a limited area in the aquifer can be used for domestic purposes. This area is located in two separate patches in the upstream part of the aquifer while most of the aquifer water is categorized as brackish which might be used for agriculture purposes to a certain extent. The downstream area of the aquifer is very saline due to sea water intrusion effect.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Asadi SS, Vuppala P, Reddy MA (2007) Remote sensing and GIS techniques for evaluation of groundwater quality in municipal corporation of Hyderabad (Zone-V), India. Int J Environ Res Public Health 4(1):45–52
Babiker IS, Mohamed AM, Hiyama T (2007) Assessing groundwater quality using GIS. Water Resour Manag 21(4):699–715
Bilgehan N, Berktay A (2008) Groundwater quality mapping in urban groundwater using GIS, environmental monitoring and assessment. (on-line, in press)
Bindagji HH (1980) Atlas of Saudi Arabia. Oxford University Press, London, p 10 61 maps
Butler M, Wallace J, Lowe M (2002) Ground-water quality classification using GIS contouring methods for Cedar Valley, Iron County, Utah. In: Digital mapping techniques, 2002, Workshop Proceedings, US Geological Survey Open-File Report 02-370
Kharad SM, Rao KS, Rao GS (1999) GIS based groundwater assessment model, GIS@development, Nov–Dec 1999. http://www.gisdevelopment.net/application/nrm/water/ground/watg0001.htm. Accessed 22 June 2010
Rangzan K, Charchi A, Abshirini E, Dinger J (2008) Remote sensing and GIS approach for water-well site selection, Southwest Iran. Environ Eng Geosci 14(4):315–326
Skubon BA Jr (2005) Groundwater quality and GIS investigation of a shallow sand aquifer, Oak opening region, North West Ohio. Geol Soc Am Abstr Programs 37(5):94
Sogreah (1970) Water and Agricultural Development Studies, Area VI, Final Report, part 2. Ministry of Agricultural and Water, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Water Health Organization (WHO) (2008) Guidelines for drinking water quality, 3rd edn, Geneva
Yammani S (2007) Groundwater quality suitable zones identification: application of GIS, Chittoor area, Andhra Pradesh, India. Env Geol 53(1):201–210
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
El-Hames, A.S., Al-Ahmadi, M. & Al-Amri, N. A GIS approach for the assessment of groundwater quality in Wadi Rabigh aquifer, Saudi Arabia. Environ Earth Sci 63, 1319–1331 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0803-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-010-0803-0