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Numerous hydrological projects have been carried out using isotopic methods over the last two decades in the ESCWA region, which includes the Arabian Peninsula, the Arabian countries to the north, and Egypt. The large amount of data obtained from groundwater samples has been evaluated together with the hydrogeological, hydrochemical and water management data available for the area. Analyses of the stable isotopes of oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon in the groundwater samples, as well as the naturally occurring radioactive isotopes of hydrogen and carbon are used for the localization of groundwater recharge areas; determination and quantification of mixtures of groundwater from different sources; reconstruction of groundwater flow systems on regional and local scales; determination of the paleoclimatic effects on the geohydraulic conditions; determination of groundwater ages, i.e., residence times; and distinguishing between renewable and fossil groundwater resources. Extensive hydrological studies using isotopic methods have been conducted in the ESCWA region on the following aquifer systems and topics: isotopic composition of precipitation in Jordan and Syria; groundwater turnover in karst aquifers in the highlands of western Jordan, the mountains in western Syria and the West Bank; groundwater recharge from precipitation and surface water on the Damascus plain; origin and age of groundwater in the basalt aquifer system in Jordan and Syria; recently recharged freshwater lenses and fossil groundwater in Badiye and Hamad (steppe and desert regions in Syria and eastern Jordan and the adjacent areas in Iraq and Saudi Arabia); low of fossil groundwater and local, recently recharged groundwater in Paleogene carbonate aquifers in eastern Saudi Arabia, the Golf region, and southern Oman; groundwater recharge from flash floods in the aquifers in unconsolidated rock in wadis and coastal plains of the Arabian Peninsula; age and origin of groundwater in aquifers in consolidated rock in the mountains of Oman. The discussion of the hydrogeological significance of isotope data is supplemented by comments on the most important current hydrogeological problems in the ESCWA region that could be investigated using isotopic methods. These include problems of groundwater recharge, the provenance of groundwater, groundwater flow systems on regional and local scales, paleohydrological conditions, and groundwater quality, particularly contamination by human activities. All available publications on the isotope hydrology of the ESCWA region are listed in the bibliography, as well as basic publications on isotope hydrology in arid regions. (Isotope geochemistry, isotope ratios, stable isotopes, O16, O18, O18/O16, C14, radioactive isotopes, iritium, absolute age, atmospheric precipitation, groundwater, currents, groundwater provinces, groundwater quality, sampling, groundwater recharge, climate, paleoclimate, aquifer, sandstone, limestone, dolomite, volcanic rocks, quaternary aquifer, unconsolidated sediments Bahrain, Jemen, Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Oman, United Arabic Emirates)
This book presents both updated and new measurements on water resources from selective pilot areas form the Middle East. Demand for water has become very crucial notably in arid and semiarid regions like in the Middle East. The changing climate and the increased population are the most striking challenges on water resources in this region where the largest part of its territory is dry lands and deserts with minimal precipitation and high evaporation rates, and thus, the average per capita of water does not exceed 25 m3/year. This resulted in developing many studies and researches in different Middle East countries to clearly identify and assess the hydrological characteristics of the available water resources and to explore new resources in order to secure balanced water supply/demand. As a first of its type, this book introduces comprehensive knowledge on the successful reports of the use of satellite images in water studies in the Middle East, and the economic value resulted from adopting these techniques. Based on illustrated case-studies the book will represent a significant resource for a large number of experts, academics, researchers, engineers and different-level stakeholders including the decision makers.
The principle of transferable groundwater rights is that by making water rights capable of being traded in the market, water resources can be used more sustainably and efficiently. Groundwater would achieve its economic value, by switching from the high volume-low value irrigation, which is prevalent with many farmers, particularly in South Asia, to low volume-high value urban supply or the growing of intensive horticultural or cash crops. This book discusses transferable groundwater rights in their broader context. It starts with a detailed description of the physical aspects of groundwater, which non-technical readers should find useful, followed by a discussion of legal and economic aspects. Water transfers and the international experiences in transferable groundwater rights are dealt with in detail in two subsequent chapters. A model is presented to guide those involved in water resources management and planning in their decision process to introduce transferable groundwater rights and water rights trading. The author concludes that transferable groundwater rights potentially offer a better alternative to land-based water rights systems. However, he casts serious doubt on whether groundwater rights trading on its own can achieve water resources sustainability, environmental protection and social equity. Government intervention seems to be almost always needed to assist the water rights market and take responsibility for any of its adverse consequences.

Report

United Nations. Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 160


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The book gives an outline of prevailing hydrogeologic conditions in the Arab Middle East together with the geologic background. Emphasis is given to relationships between the main features influencing the hydrogeologic conditions - regional geologic developments, paleogeographic conditions, morphology, climate and paleo-climate - and the resulting hydrogeologic features: formation of aquifers, distribution of major aquifers, main groundwater flow systems, occurrence of renewable and fossil groundwater. Reported data on hydraulic aquifer parameters, recharge rates and groundwater flow volumes are evaluated with a view to arrive at characteristic values under the specific hydrogeologic and climatic conditions. The area considered covers approximately the Arabian Plate. Information on the following countries is included: Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, West Bank and Gaza, Yemen.
Foreword -- Preface -- Acronyms & units of measurement -- Introduction to the inventory -- Shared water resources in Western Asia -- Key findings -- Overview & methodology: Surface water -- Euphrates River Basin -- Shared tributaries of the Euphrates River -- Tigris River Basin -- Shared tributaries of the Tigris River -- Shatt al Arab, Karkheh and Karun Rivers -- Jordan River Basin -- Orontes River Basin -- Nahr El Kabir Basin -- Qweik River Basin -- Overview & methodology: Groundwater -- Saq-Ram Aquifer System (West) -- Wajid Aquifer System -- Tawila-Mahra/Cretaceous Sands: Wasia-Biyadh-Aruma Aquifer System (South) -- Sakaka-Rutba: Wasia-Biyadh-Aruma Aquifer System (North) -- Rub'al Khali: Umm er Radhuma-Dammam Aquifer System (South) -- Gulf Umm er Radhuma-Dammam Aquifer System (Centre) -- Widyan-Salman: Umm er Radhuma-Dammam Aquifer System (North) -- Wadi Sirhan Basin: Tawil-Quaternary Aquifer System -- Anti-Lebanon -- Western Aquifer Basin -- Coastal Aquifer Basin -- Yarmouk Basin: Basalt Aquifer System (West) -- Azraq-Dhuleil Basin: Basalt Aquifer System (South) -- Taurus-Zagros -- Jezira Tertiary Limestone Aquifer System -- Jezira Basin: Neogene Aquifer System (North-West): Upper and Lower Fars -- Dibdibba Delta Basin Neogene Aquifer System (South-East): Dibdibba-Kuwait Group