Assessment of Groundwater Aquifer Impact from Artificial Lagoons and the Reuse of Wastewater in Qatar

Al-Jabiry, Hayat; Young, Scott D.; Bailey, Elizabeth H.

Abstract

Qatar relies on groundwater for farming activities. Animal fodder crops are irrigated during summer, and different types of vegetables are grown in winter. Qatar has been using lagoons in different parts of the country to dispose of treated wastewater. Some of those lagoons are near farms and residential areas. Thus, understanding the groundwater quality and the lagoons’ impact on them is important for future human and environmental health. Lagoons (n = 14) and wells (n = 56) were sampled in both summer and winter of 2018/2019. A good correlation between Cl−, Na+, Li+, SO42−, S, Sr2+ and Ca2+ suggests salinization of the aquifers. Gypsum dissolution is active in the Qatar aquifers and lagoons system during both summer and winter. A few elements in groundwater exceeded the Qatar irrigation guidelines, indicating a degradation of groundwater quality. Lagoon water was found to be similar to groundwater but with lower values of salinity. General linear model analysis shows a correlation between lagoon proximity to the wells and the concentrations of elements in the groundwater. Isoconcentration maps visualize marine intrusion and the impact of lagoons on groundwater quality. Increasing concentrations of nitrate and decreasing chloride and sulphate concentrations were observed in the groundwater in winter, indicating recharge following winter rainfall.

Citation

Al-Jabiry, H., Young, S. D., & Bailey, E. H. (2019, December). Assessment of Groundwater Aquifer Impact from Artificial Lagoons and the Reuse of Wastewater in Qatar. Presented at International Conference on Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Desert Climate 2019, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar

• Presentation Conference Type: Edited Proceedings
• Conference Name: International Conference on Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Desert Climate 2019
• Start Date: Dec 2, 2019
• End Date: Dec 5, 2019
• Acceptance Date: Apr 26, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Apr 26, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022
• Deposit Date: Jul 27, 2022
• Publisher: Springer
• Pages: 13-23
• Series Title: Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation
• Book Title: Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Deserts: Proceeding of the First International Conference on Sustainable Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Desert Climates
• ISBN: 9783030760809
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76081-6_2
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/8227173
• Publisher URL: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-76081-6_2