Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Limestone Aquifers

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Water Resources and Integrated Management of the United Arab Emirates

Part of the book series: World Water Resources ((WWR,volume 3))

  • 859 Accesses

Abstract

The Limestone aquifers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are the northern limestone aquifer of the Wadi Al Bih basin in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, Dammam limestone aquifer in Jabal Hafit south of Al Ain City and limestone aquifers in the western region of Abu Dhabi Emirate.

Wadi Bih limestone aquifer is the main water source used for domestic and agricultural purposes in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah. About 8.8% of rain falling on the Wadi Al Bih catchment area (475 km2) recharges the limestone aquifer. The aquifer’s recharge from rainfall increased to 13% after the Wadi Al Bih dam was construction in 1982. The decrease of groundwater pumping the Wadi Al Bih basin from 9.0 Mm3/year during the period 1991–1995 to 4.5 Mm3/year during the period 2010–2014, increased groundwater storage , raised the hydraulic heads and decreased groundwater salinity by 45% in the Al Burayrat well field 30% in the Wadi Al Bih well field. The study of stable isotopes suggests that the groundwater recharge occurs at an elevation of 1050 m. The source of increasing groundwater salinity in the aquifer during the period 1980–1994 is likely to be upwell ing of more saline water from deeper zones in the aquifer itself under the influence of the excessive groundwater pumping . The groundwater in the aquifer is hard to very hard and the SAR values indicate that the groundwater is mostly characterized by limited harmful effects on plants and soils when used for irrigation.

Water wells tapping the limestone Dammam aquifer in Jabal Hafit produce 21,000 m3/day of thermal (36–52 °C), brackish (3900–6900 mg/L), with high radium-226 and radon-222 gases. This water is slightly alkaline (pH 7–8), sodium-chloride rich and is now used for recreation, therapeutic purposes and landscaping. In Jabal Hafit, three water-bearing zones were identified: an upper freshwater zone, a middle brackish- water zone and a lower saline-water zone. The sources water in the Dammam aquifer include recharge water from rains directly falling on Jabal Hafit and saline water moving upward from a depth of 2000 m under temperature or gas drive. The brackish water forms when descending fresh recharge water mixes with ascending hot saltwater in the Jabal Hafit area. In addition to its curative and therapeutic and values, the groundwater in Jabal Hafit is now used for recreation, tourism and irrigation of salt-tolerant palm trees.

The limestone aquifers in the western UAE , including the Simsima, Umm Er Radhuma and Dammam, are highly saline. Water from these aquifers is injected in oil reservoirs to maintain pressure.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abu Al Enien H (1996) Wadi Al Bih alluvial fan water resources: Al Kuwait University, Geography Department, Publ. No. 198, p 78

    Google Scholar 

  • Akiti TT, Gonfiantini R, Mutawa A (1992) Aspects of isotope hydrology of the United Arab Emirates. Ministry of Electricity and Water internal report, p 50

    Google Scholar 

  • Al Amari KA (1997) Assessment of environmental impact of re-injecting oil-field water in the Miocene clastic sediments on the shallow aquifer at Bu Hasa oil field, United Arab Emirates. Unpublished MSc thesis, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

    Google Scholar 

  • Al Asam MS (1998) Application of geophysical and geochemical techniques for assessment of groundwater recharge from Wadi Al Bih dams, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Unpublished MSc thesis, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

    Google Scholar 

  • Al Asam MS, Al Matari A, Garamoon H, Suwaid N (2005) GIS-based Hydrogeological Studies for the Assessment of Groundwater Recharge from the Dam of Wadi Al Bih, UAE. In: Proceeding of the 7th Gulf water conference water in the GCC-towards an integrated management, WASTA, 19–23 November, State of Kuwait (1): 423–435

    Google Scholar 

  • Al Wahedi AA (1997) Application of hydrogeochemistry and groundwater modeling techniques for water-resources management of Wadi Al Bih drainage basin, United Arab Emirates. Unpublished MSc thesis, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

    Google Scholar 

  • Alsharhan AS, Rizk ZS, Nairn AEM, Bakhit DW, Alhajari SA (2001) Hydrogeology of an arid region: the Arabian Gulf and adjoining areas. Elsevier Publishing Company, Amsterdam, p 331

    Google Scholar 

  • Bouwer H (1978) Groundwater hydrology, vol 480. McGraw-Hills, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Electrowatt (1981) Wadi Bih dam and groundwater recharge facilities: Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, UAE, p 67

    Google Scholar 

  • Erikson E (1983) Stable isotopes and tritium in precipitation: Guidebook on nuclear techniques in hydrology. Technical report series no. 91, IAEA, pp 19–33

    Google Scholar 

  • ESCWA (2005) Development of frameworks to implement national strategies of integrated water resources management in the ESCWA countries: United Nations, New York, p 94 (in Arabic)

    Google Scholar 

  • Faure G, Hagen EH, Johnson KS, Strobel ML, Whiting KS (1995) Geological exploration of East Antarctica: Iron, manganese and titanium in the heavy minerals fraction of till in the Transantarctic Mountains. In: Elliot DH, Blaisdell GL (eds) Contribution to antarctic research IV. Antarctic research series, vol 67. American Geophysical Union, Washington, DC, pp 19–31

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Glennie KW, Boeuf MGA, Hugh Clark MW, Moody-Stuart WFH, Piller WFH, Reinhardt PM (1974) Geology of the Oman mountains, parts I, II, III. Verh Kon Nederlands Geol Mijn Gen Trans Geol Survey 31:423

    Google Scholar 

  • Gonfiantini R (1992) Investigation of ground water resources of the United Arab Emirates by using isotope techniques: IAEA report (UAE/8/92), Vienna, Austria, p 34

    Google Scholar 

  • GSO (GCC Standardization Organization) (2008) Bottled Drinking water, GSO5/FDS/1025/2008, 22 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamdan AA, Bahr SA (1992) Lithostratigraphy of the Paleocene succession of northern Jabal Hafit, Al Ain, UAE. MERC Ain Shams Univ Earth Sci Ser 6:201–224

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassan AA, Al-Aidarous A (1985) Regional aquifer geology – onshore Abu Dhabi. Geology Department, ADCO project report 1584–50, Abu Fhabi, U. A. E., p 28

    Google Scholar 

  • Hem JD (1959) Study and interpretation of chemical characteristics of natural water. U.S. Geological Survey water supply paper no. 1473, p 363

    Google Scholar 

  • Hem JD (1992) Study and interpretation of chemical characteristics of natural water, U. S. Geological Survey water supply paper no. 2254, 3rd edn, p 263

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudson RGS (1960) The Permian and Triassic of the Oman Peninsula Arabia. Geol Mag XCVII(4):299–308

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hudson RGS, Chatton M (1959) The Musandam limestone (Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous) of Oman, Arabia. Museum National D’histoire Naturelle, Paris, vol VII, pp 69–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunting (1979a) Geological map of the United Arab Emirates. Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Abu Dhabi

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunting (1979b) Report on a mineral survey of the U. A. E. 1977–1979, vol 1. Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Abu Dhabi, pp 1–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson C (1996) Groundwater resources of Abu Dhabi Emirate: US Geological survey administrative report, p 136

    Google Scholar 

  • Karanjac MA (1997) Hydrogeology of the geothermal fractured-rock well field at Jabal Hafit, Abu Dhabi Emirate. In: Proceeding of the third Gulf water conference—towards efficient utilization of water resources in in the Gulf, Muscat, Sultanate Oman, pp 125–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Khalifa MA (1997) Hydrogeology of the geothermal fractured-rock well field at Jabal Hafit, Abu Dhabi Emirate. In: Proceedings of the third Gulf water conference, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, pp 125–140

    Google Scholar 

  • Langenegger O (1990) Groundwater quality in rural areas of western Africa. UNDP-Project INT/81/026, p10

    Google Scholar 

  • Maddy DV, Editor (1993) Ground-water resources of Al-Ain area, Abu Dhabi Emirate, U.S. Geological survey administrative report 93–001, p 332

    Google Scholar 

  • Murad A, Hussein S, Arman H (2014) Possible impact of climate change on water resources: a case study, Ras Al Khaimah (Wadi Al Bih), Northern United Arab Emirate. Recent advances in environment, ecosystems and development, pp 122–127

    Google Scholar 

  • NDC-USGS (1996) Potential for contamination of the Liwa aquifer by disposal of brine in Bu Hasa and Asab fields, U.A.E.: Private consultant’s report for Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO), p 73

    Google Scholar 

  • Polytechna (1996) Evaluation of water springs analyses, Mubazzarah well field near Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. Polytechna Ltd., Prague, p 12

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards LA (1969) Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils. United States Salinity Laboratory Staff, Agriculture handbook no. 60, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizk ZS (2015) Why Wadi Ab Bih limestone is the most sustainable aquifer in the United Arab Emirates? Int J Sustain Water Environ Syst 7(1):21–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizk ZS, Alsharhan AS (2008) Water resources in the United Arab Emirates. Ithraa Publishing and Distribution, Amman, p 624. (in Arabic)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizk ZS, Wood WW, Alsharhan AS (2007) Sources of dissolved solids and water in Wadi Al Bih aquifer, Northern United Arab Emirates. Hydrogeol J 15(7):1553–1563

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stringfield VT Le Grand HE (1966) Hydrology of limestone terrains in the coastal plain of the southeastern United States. Geol Surv Am Spec Paper 93:45

    Google Scholar 

  • Terratest (1975) Abu Dhabi mineral survey – Stage II. Detailed investigation of promising areas, Final report. Phase II – Ain bu Sukhanah (unpublished report)

    Google Scholar 

  • Todd DK (1980) Groundwater hydrology, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York, p 535

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (1991) Drinking water regulations and health advisories. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Report, p 12

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Salinity Laboratory Staff (1954) Diagenesis and improvement of saline and alkali soils, Agricultural handbook no. 60. U.S. Department of Agricultural, Washington, DC, pp 60–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner W (1997) Renewable groundwater resources in dry areas of the ESCWA region – origin and isotopic characteristics: a regional training workshop on geochemical modeling methods for geochemistry evaluation and water pollution studies: UAE University, p 11

    Google Scholar 

  • White WB (1977) Conceptual models for carbonate aquifers: revisited. In: Dilamarter RR, Csallany SC (eds) Hydrologic problems in karst regions. Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, pp 176–187

    Google Scholar 

  • Whittle GL, Alsharhan AS (1994) Dolomitization and chertification of the Early Eocene Rus Formation in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Sediment Geol 92:272–285

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (World Health Organization) (1984) WHO guidelines for drinking water quality: volume 1, recommendations, Geneva, p 130

    Google Scholar 

  • Yehia MA, Nasr A (1992) Use of Thematic Mapper Landsat Satellite Data for the study of the Geology and Geomorphology of Jabal Hafit, UAE. Earth Sci Ser 6:169–183

    Google Scholar 

  • Yurtsever (1992) Preliminary evaluation of isotope results from reconnaissance samples collected in Kuwait. IAEA Technical Cooperation project, Isotope Hydrology of the Middle East, p 12

    Google Scholar 

  • Yurtsever (1996) Isotope methods in water resources management and examples of applications in the Gulf region: Water Management Conference, Abu Dhabi

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Middle East Geological and Environmental Establishment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

    Abdulrahman S. Alsharhan

  2. University of Science and Technology of Fujairah, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

    Zeinelabidin E. Rizk

Authors
  1. Abdulrahman S. Alsharhan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zeinelabidin E. Rizk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Alsharhan, A.S., Rizk, Z.E. (2020). Limestone Aquifers. In: Water Resources and Integrated Management of the United Arab Emirates. World Water Resources, vol 3. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-31684-6_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation