Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Book chapters
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-25071-7_4
Title (Primary) New tools for coherent information base for IWRM in arid regions: the Upper Mega Aquifer System on the Arabian Peninsula
Title (Secondary) Integrated water resources management: concept, research and implementation
Author Siebert, C. ORCID logo ; Rödiger, T.; Schulz, S.; Horovitz, M.; Merz, R.; Friesen, J. ORCID logo ; Dietrich, P. ORCID logo ; Michelsen, N.; Kallioras, A.; Rausch, R.; Engelhardt, I.; Al-Saud, M.; Schüth, C.
Publisher Borchardt, D.; Bogardi, J.; Ibisch, R.B.
Year 2016
Department MET; CATHYD; CIWAS
Page From 85
Page To 106
Language englisch
Keywords Groundwater modelling; Rare earth elements; Hydrochemistry; Time domain reflectometry; Soil moisture; Paleo-climate; Recharge; Sabkha evaporation
UFZ wide themes RU2
UFZ inventory Magdeburg, Bibliothek, 00517188, 16-0286 MA : Wa 01
Abstract In arid regions like the Arabian Peninsula, available water resources are essentially restricted to groundwater, requiring a detailed understanding of the local and regional hydrogeological conditions and water budgets. In the framework of the IWAS initiative, the 1.8 × 106 km2 large sedimentary Upper Mega Aquifer of the Arabian Peninsula was chosen as a model region to develop concepts and methodologies to quantify water fluxes in such an arid environment. Field and laboratory studies were conducted to analyse (i) precipitation patterns, (ii) groundwater recharge, (iii) the hydrochemical evolution of groundwater and (iv) evaporation particularly from Sabkhas in detail. Results were used as input parameters for a 3D groundwater model for the central part of the Peninsula, which was later extended to the full dimension of the Upper Mega Aquifer. It could be shown that in such a region different components of the water cycle have to be quantified with great care and several methods should be applied to reduce data uncertainty. It was not possible to make use out of satellite products to receive reliable actual precipitation patterns for the peninsula. It was observable; recharge estimations based on average annual precipitation are not applicable but should be based on singular precipitation events. A threshold of 6 mm/event was derived, below of which no recharge in sand seas occurs. The loss of water from UMA, due to sabkha evaporation reaches about 40 mm/a under the given recent climatic conditions.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=15584
Siebert, C., Rödiger, T., Schulz, S., Horovitz, M., Merz, R., Friesen, J., Dietrich, P., Michelsen, N., Kallioras, A., Rausch, R., Engelhardt, I., Al-Saud, M., Schüth, C. (2016):
New tools for coherent information base for IWRM in arid regions: the Upper Mega Aquifer System on the Arabian Peninsula
In: Borchardt, D., Bogardi, J., Ibisch, R.B. (eds.)
Integrated water resources management: concept, research and implementation
Springer, Basel, p. 85 - 106 10.1007/978-3-319-25071-7_4