Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Groundwater: Quality Degradation and Water Pollution

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

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

Abstract

Karstic nature and unconfinement are the main factors making fresh groundwater resources in the UAE susceptible to receiving a large flux of contaminants from point and nonpoint sources on the land surface.

Recent investigations into the Wadi Al Bih limestone aquifer in the northern UAE indicated that the aquifer is highly sensitive to urban and agricultural development, and several wells were reported to contains Coliform bacteria in the Wadi Al Bih and Al Burayrat areas (Rizk et al. J Res Environ Earth Sci 3(3):1–14, 2017).

Groundwater pollution in the western gravel aquifer of Al Ain area is a result of the infiltration of industrial waste and sewage effluents from residential areas. The high concentration of Zn and Fe are attributed to well-construction materials, while high Cr is a result of the weathering of mafic minerals in the eastern mountain ranges or due to the use of animal waste on farmlands. Rizk and Alsharhan (Water resources in the United Arab Emirates. In: Alsharhan AS, Wood WW (eds) Water management perspectives: evaluation, management and policy. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, pp 245–264, 2003) applied remote sensing and GIS techniques and showed that intensive farming and other human activities are the main pollution sources for the gravel aquifers in the eastern UAE.

Methane gas was detected in water wells and springs tapping the ophiolite aquifer in the northeastern UAE, as a result of serpentinization of peridotite rocks forming the aquifer. This abiotic gas could contaminate the natural-gas fields in large sedimentary basins overthrusted by the ophiolite sequence.

Results of groundwater-flow and solute-transport models of the eastern gravel aquifer, conducted by Sherif et al. (Desalination 273(2):436–446, 2011, J Hydrol 464–465:186–198, 2012 and J Hydrol Eng 19:855–866, 2014), indicated that the saltwater intrusion problem has sharply increased during the last 20 years, due to excessive groundwater pumping and limited natural recharge. In an effort to stop further deterioration of groundwater quality, groundwater pumping for domestic purposes from several well fields has been decreased, and groundwater was replaced by desalinated water.

Major ions chemistry and nitrate isotopes (15N and 18O) in 22 groundwater samples indicated that fertilizers are the main source of nitrate in the Liwa Quaternary sand aquifer. A few samples are consistent with residential sources. The dominance of a CaSO4 water type supports the agricultural source of the nitrate, while the high NaCl water type is associated with residential land use.

The Quaternary sand aquifer in the northern UAE is free and receives a large flux of pollutants from the land surface. Based on field investigation and lab analysis of groundwater samples, Al-Hogaraty et al. (2008) detected high concentrations of total dissolved solids anions, cations and trace elements in areas close to pollution sources. These anomalies assisted in delineation of the groundwater–seawater interface in the Ajman area.

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

  • Al Asam MS (1994) Dams in the United Arab Emirates and their role in groundwater recharge. In: Proceedings of the second Gulf water conference, Manama, Bahrain, WASTA, pp 203–218

    Google Scholar 

  • Al Asam MS (1996) UAE water resources use in agriculture and conservation. International Desalination Association (IDA) conference of Desalination, Abu Dhabi, IDA, pp 625–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Hogaraty EA, Rizk ZS, Garamoon HK (2008) Groundwater pollution of the quaternary aquifer in northern United Arab Emirates. Water Air Soil Pollut 190:323–341

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali MY, Watts AB, Searle MP (2013) Seismic stratigraphy and subsidence history of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) rifted margin and overlying foreland basins. In: Al Hosani K et al (eds) Lithosphere dynamics and sedimentary basins. The Arabian plate and analogues, frontiers in earth sciences. Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Katheeri ES, Howari FM, Murad MM (2008) Hydrogeochemistry and pollution assessment of quaternary-tertiary aquifer in the Liwa area, United Arab Emirates. Environ Earth Sci 59:581–592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al Mutaz IS, Al Sultan B(1997)Operation characteristics of Maufouha reserve osmosis plants: The IDA World Congress on Desalination and Water Reuse, Madrid, Spain, p 25

    Google Scholar 

  • Al Nuaimi HS (2003) Hydrogeological and geophysical studies on Al Jaww Plain, Al Ain area, UAE: UAE University—Faculty of Graduate Studies, Water Resources program: Unpublished Master Thesis, p 150

    Google Scholar 

  • Alsharhan AS (1989) Petroleum geology of the United Arab Emirates. J Pet Geol 12:253–288

    Article  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 

  • 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 M. Sc. Thesis, UAE University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

    Google Scholar 

  • Andersen LJ, Kristiansen H (1984) Nitrate in groundwater and surface water related to land use in the Karup Bain, Denmark. Environ Geol 5:207–212

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • APHA (1995) Standard methods for examination of water and waste water, 19th edn. APHA 2540 C, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Appelo CAJ, Postma D (1999) Geochemistry, groundwater and pollution. Balkema, Rotterdam, p 636

    Google Scholar 

  • Azhar A (2000) Problems of developing world’s water networks. In: IV International conference. Water supply and water quality, Krakow, Poland, pp 1229–1233

    Google Scholar 

  • Baker AMJ (1981) Accumulators and excluders: strategies in the response of plants to trace metals. J Plant Nutr 3:643–654

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes CL, Jacobson G, Smith GD (1992) The origin of high-nitrate groundwaters in the Australian arid zone. J Hydrol 137:181–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Becker MF, Bruce BW, Pope LM, Andrews WJ (2002) Groundwater quality in the central High Plains aquifer, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, 1999. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 02–4112, p 64

    Google Scholar 

  • Berna C, Lang T, Goodwin G, Holmes E (2011) Developing a measure of interpretation bias for depressed mood: an ambiguous scenarios test. Personal Individ Differ 51(3):349–354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bleifuss PS, Hanson GN, Schoonen M (2000) Tracing sources of nitrate in the Long Island aquifer system. On line, p 27

    Google Scholar 

  • Böhlke JK (2002) Groundwater recharge and agricultural contamination. Hydrogeol J 10:153–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brook MC, Dawoud M (2005) Coastal water resources management in the coastal zones of United Arab Emirates. Symposium on Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Abu Dhabi UAE

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruce BW, Becker MF, Pope LM, Gurdak JJ (2003) Groundwater quality beneath irrigated agriculture in the central High Plains aquifer, 1999–2000. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 02–4219, p 39

    Google Scholar 

  • Chauret C, Springthorpe S, Sattar S (1999) Fate of Cryptosporidium oocysts, Giardia cysts, and microbial indicators during waste water treatment and anaerobic sludge digestion. Can J Microbiol 45(3):257

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark ID, Fritz P (1997) Environmental isotopes in hydrogeology. CRC, Florida, p 328

    Google Scholar 

  • Clesceri LS, Greenberg AE, Eaton AD (1998) Standard methods for the examination of water and waste water, 20th edn. American Public Health Association, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox PA (1991) The elements—their origin, abundance and distribution. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Dabbagh T, Sadler P, Al-Saqabi A, Sadeqi M (1994) Desalination: an emergent option. In: Rogers P, Lydon P (eds) Water in the Arab World – perspectives and prognoses, vol 8. Harvard University, Division of Applied Sciences, Cambridge, pp 203–242

    Google Scholar 

  • Dawoud MA, Sallam OM, Abdelfattah MA (2012) Treated wastewater management and reuse in arid regions: Abu Dhabi Case Study. In: The 10th Gulf water conference, Doha, Qatar, pp 732–752

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolatyar M, Gray TS (2000) Water politics in the Middle East: a context for conflict or cooperation? Macmillan Press Limited, Basingstoke, p 243

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ediger RD (1973) A review of water analysis by atomic absorption. At Absorption Newsl 12:151

    Google Scholar 

  • El dougdoug A (1993) Origin of unconformity-bound celestite mineralization, Jebel Hafit, Al Ain area, United Arab Emirates. M.E.R.C. Ain Shams Univ. Earth Sci Ser 7:209–222

    Google Scholar 

  • Electrowatt (Electrowatt Engineering Services Ltd) (1980) Wadi Ham dam for groundwater recharge and loss prevention. Preliminary Rep., Ministry of Environment and Water, Dubai, UAE

    Google Scholar 

  • Electrowatt (Electrowatt Engineering Services Ltd) (1981) Wadi Ham dam and groundwater recharge facilities. Volume I Design, Ministry of Environment and Water, Dubai, UAE

    Google Scholar 

  • Elmahdy SI, Mohamed MM (2012) Topographic attributes control groundwater flow and groundwater salinity of Al Ain, UAE. A prediction method using remote sensing and GIS. J Environ Earth Sci 2(8):1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • EPA (Environmental Protection Agency—USA) (1993) National interim primary drinking water regulations, part 141. Fed Regist 40(248):59566–59588

    Google Scholar 

  • EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) (2006) Drinking water regulations and health advisories. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, p 12

    Google Scholar 

  • Enghag P (2004) Encyclopedia of the elements – technical data, history, processing, applications. Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KgaA, Weinheim

    Google Scholar 

  • ENTEC (Entec Europe Limited) (1996) Survey on groundwater recharge and flow in Wadi Ham, vol 1. Ministry of Environment and Water, Dubai

    Google Scholar 

  • ESCWA (2001) Water desalination technologies in the ESCWA member countries: United Nations. New York, p 177

    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

    Google Scholar 

  • Etiope G (2015) Natural gas seepage. The Earth’s hydrocarbon degassing. Springer, Cham, p 199

    Google Scholar 

  • Etiope G, Judas J, Whiticar MJ (2015) Occurrence of abiotic methane in the eastern United Arab Emirates ophiolite aquifer. Arab J Geosci 8:11345–11348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Etiope G, Schoell M (2014) Abiotic gas: atypical but not rare. Elements 10:291–296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • FAO (1970) Physical and chemical methods of soil and water analysis. Soil Bull 10:236–238

    Google Scholar 

  • Fetter CW (1988) Applied hydrogeology, 2nd edn. Macmillan Publishing Company, New York, p 592

    Google Scholar 

  • Freeze RA, Cherry JA (1979) Groundwater. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, p 604

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritz P, Clark ID, Fontes JC, Whiticar MJ, Faber E (1992) Deuterium and 13C evidence for low temperature production of hydrogen and methane in a highly alkaline groundwater environment in Oman. In: Kharaka YK, Maest AS (eds) Proceedings of 7th international symposium on water-rock interaction: low temperature environments, vol 1. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 793–796

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill R (1989) Chemical fundamentals of geology, 2nd edn. Chapman and Hall, London, p 290

    Google Scholar 

  • Gosselin DC (1991) Bazile Triangle groundwater quality study. Lincoln, Conservation and Survey Division of the University of Nebraska Water Supply Paper 68, p 29

    Google Scholar 

  • Hem JD (1985) Study and interpretation of chemical characteristics of natural water: U. S. Geological Survey Water Supply Paper no. 1473, p 363

    Google Scholar 

  • Hounslow AW (1995) Water quality data analysis and interpretation. CRC Press Inc./Lewis Publishers, New York, p 397

    Google Scholar 

  • IWACO (1986) Ground water study. Drilling of deep water wells at various locations in the UAE. Internal Rep., Ministry of Environment and Water, Dubai, UAE

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenden PD, Hilton DR, Kaplan IR, Craig H (1993) Abiogenic hydrocarbons and mantle helium in oil and gas fields. In: Howell D (ed) Future of energy gases, vol 1570. USGS Prof Pap, Washington, DC, pp 31–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Kansas Geological Survey (1990) Geologic map of the United Arab Emirates (scale 1:1,000,000). U. S. Geological Survey: Miscellaneous geologic investigations map I – 270 A, The University of Kansas, Kansas, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Keller AE (2002) Environmental geology, 2nd edn. Prentice Hall, Inc, Upper Saddle River

    Google Scholar 

  • Khalifa MA (2003) Geohydrology and the source of flowing well water in Al-Neima area, Al. Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE, National Drilling Company and United States Geological Survey, p 9

    Google Scholar 

  • Lowrence AR, Foster SSD (1987) The pollution threat from agricultural pesticides and industrial solvents. BGS hydrogeology report, 87–2

    Google Scholar 

  • Madison RJ, Brunett JO (1983) Overview of the occurrence of nitrate in groundwater of the United States. In: National water summary 1984—hydrologic events, selected water-quality trends, and groundwater resources. U.S. Geological survey water-supply paper 2275, pp 93–105

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon PB (2001) Vertical gradients in water chemistry in the central High Plains aquifer, southwestern Kansas, and Oklahoma panhandle, 1999: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 01–4028, p 35

    Google Scholar 

  • McMahon PB, Böhlke JK (2006) Regional controls on the isotopic composition of nitrate in groundwater, High Plains, USA. Environ Sci Technol 40(9):2965–2970

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mengis M, Walther U, Bernasconi SM, Wehrli B (2001) Limitations of using δ18 O for the source identification of nitrate in agricultural soils. Environ Sci Technol 35(9):1840–1844

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Communications (1996) U.A.E. Climate. Cultural Foundation Publications, Abu Dhabi, p 240

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed M, Almualla A (2010a) Water demand forecasting in Umm Al-Quwain (UAE) using the IWR-MAIN specify forecasting model. Water Resour Manag 24(14):4093–4120

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed M, Almualla A (2010b) Water demand forecasting in Umm Al-Quwain using the constant rate model. Desalination 259:161–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed MM, Elmahdy SI (2015) Natural and anthropogenic factors affecting groundwater quality in the eastern region of the United Arab Emirates. Arab J Geosci 8:7409–7423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed M, Hatfield K (2005) Modeling microbial-mediated reduction using the quasi-steady-state approximation. Chemosphere 59:1207–1217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed M, Hatfield K (2011) Dimensionless Monod parameters to summarize the influence of microbial inhibition on the attenuation of groundwater contaminants. Biodegradation 22:877–896

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed M, Hatfield K, Hassan AE, Klammler H (2009) Stochastic evaluation of subsurface contaminant discharges under physical, chemical, and biological heterogeneities. Adv Water Resour 33(7):801–2010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed M, Hatfield K, Perminova IV (2007) Evaluation of the biological parameters in the subsurface using moment analysis: theory and numerical testing. Adv Water Resour 30(9):2034–2050

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mueller DK, Helsel DR (1996) Nutrients in the Nation’s waters-too much of a good thing? U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1136, p 24

    Google Scholar 

  • Murad AA, Gerish MH, Mahgoub FM, Hussein S (2011) Physiochemical processes affecting the geochemistry of carbonate aquifer of Southeastern Al-Ain Area, United Arab Emirates. Water Air Soil Pollut 214:653–665

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murad A, Mahgoub F, Hussein S (2012) Hydrogeochemical variations of groundwater of the northern Jabal Hafit in eastern part of Abu Dhabi Emirate. United Arab Emirates (UAE). Int J Geosci 3:410–429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ni Y, Dai J, Zhou Q, Luo X, Hu A, Yang C (2009) Geochemical characteristics of abiogenic gas and its percentage in Xujiaweizi fault depression, Songliao Basin, NE China. Pet Explor Dev 36:35–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oram B (2007) Water Research Centre E. Coli in Water: retrieved from Water Research Centre website. http://www.water-research.net

  • Raskin I, Nanda-Kumar PBA, Dushenkov S, Salt DE (1994) Bioconcentration of heavy metals by plants. Curr Opin Biotechnol 5:285–290

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plazinska A (2000) Microbiological quality of drinking water in four communities in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands, SA. Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra

    Google Scholar 

  • Rainwater FA, Thatcher LL (1960) Methods for collection and analysis of water samples: U. S. geological survey water supply paper no. 1454, Washington, pp 1–301

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizk ZS (1998) Falajs of United Arab Emirates: geological settings and hydrogeological characteristics. Arab J Sci Eng 23:3–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizk ZS (2009) Factors controlling distribution of trace elements in groundwater of the United Arab Emirates. Int J Sci Res 19:13–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizk ZS (2014) Determining the sources of nitrate pollution of the Liwa Quaternary aquifer in the United Arab Emirates. In: WSTA 11th Gulf water conference, water in GCC. Towards efficient management, 20–22 October 2014, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, pp 120–136

    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 (2003) Water resources in the United Arab Emirates. In: Alsharhan AS, Wood WW (eds) Water management perspectives: evaluation, management and policy. Elsevier Science, Amsterdam, pp 245–264

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizk ZS, Alsharhan AS, Shindo SS (1997) Evaluation of groundwater resources of United Arab Emirates. In: Proceedings of the third Gulf water conference, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, pp 95–122

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizk ZS, El-Etr HA (1997) Hydrogeology and hydrogeochemistry of some springs in the United Arab Emirates. Arab J Sci Eng 22:95–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizk ZS, Garamoon HK, Abu Sara HS (2017) Hydrogeochemistry and microbiology of Wadi Al Bih limestone aquifer in Northern United Arab Emirates. J Res Environ Earth Sci 3(3):1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizk ZS, Garamoon HK, El-Etr AA (1998) Hydraulic properties of dune and interdune areas around Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates. In: Alsharhan, Glennie, Whittle, Kendall (eds) Proceedings of the international conference on quaternary deserts and climatic change. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 455–467

    Google Scholar 

  • Rizk ZS, Garamoon HK (2006) The influence of major lineaments on groundwater resources in the eastern region of the United Arab Emirates. Univ Sharjah J Pure Appl Sci,. ISSN 1811 1645 3(3):83–111

    Google Scholar 

  • Rus A, Baxter I, Muthukumar B, Gustin J, Lahner B, Yakubova E (2006) Natural variants of AtHKT1 enhance Na+ accumulation in two wild populations of Arabidopsis. PLoS Genet 2:210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sherif MM (2006) Geoelectrical and hydrogeochemical studies for delineating seawater intrusion in the outlet of Wadi Ham, UAE. Environ Geol 49(4):536–551

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sherif M, Mohamed M, Kacimov A, Shetty A (2011) Assessment of groundwater quality in the northeastern coastal area of UAE as precursor for desalination. Desalination 273(2):436–446

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sherif MM, Sefelnasr A, Javadi A (2012) Incorporating the concept of equivalent freshwater head in successive horizontal simulations of seawater intrusion in the Nile Delta Aquifer, Egypt. J Hydrol 464–465:186–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sherif M, Sefelnasr A, Ebraheem A, Javadi A (2014) Quantitative and qualitative assessment of seawater intrusion in Wadi Ham under different pumping scenarios. J Hydrol Eng 19:855–866

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simpson JM, Santo Domingo JW, Reasoner DJ (2002) Microbial source tracking: state of the science. Environ Sci Technol 36:5279–5288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skoog DA, West DM, Holler FJ, Crouch SR (2004) Fundamental analytical chemistry, 8th edn. Thomson Brooks/Cole, Belmont, p 870

    Google Scholar 

  • Spalding RF, Exner ME (1991) Nitrate contamination in the contiguos United States. In: Bogardi I, Kuselka RD (eds) Nitrate contamination. Springer, Berlin, pp 13–48

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Spalding RF, Kitchen LA (1988) Nitrate in the intermediate vadose zone beneath irrigated cropland. Groundwater Monit Rev 8(2):89–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spoolman E, Scotte M, Tyeler G (2009) Living in the environment, 16th edn. Nelson Education, ttd, Pacific Grove, p 533

    Google Scholar 

  • Szatmari P, da Fonseca TCO, Miekeley NF (2011) Mantle-like trace element composition of petroleum – contributions from serpentinizing peridotites. In: Closson D (ed) Tectonics, vol 3. InTech, Rijeka, pp 332–358

    Google Scholar 

  • Tortora GJ, Funke BR, Case CL (2010) Microbiology, 10th edn. Pearson Education, Inc., San Francisco, p 431

    Google Scholar 

  • Tourenq C, Shuriqi MK, Sawaf M, Smart E, Brook M, Selwan R, Ziolkowski M (2009) Characterisation of the Wadi Wurayah catchment basin, the first mountain protected area in the United Arab Emirates. Int J Ecol Environ Sci 35:289–311

    Google Scholar 

  • Uqba KA (1991) The water resources of the united Arab emirates: a comprehensive emperical appraisal of their status and management: PhD thesis, Durham University

    Google Scholar 

  • Vela NP, Olson LK, Caruso JA (1993) Elemental speciation with plasma mass spectrometry. Anal Chem 65(13):585–597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss J (1986) In: Johnson EL (ed) Handbook of ion chromatography. Dionex Corp, Sunnyvale

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolf RE, Grosser ZA (1997) Overview and comparison of ICP-MS methods for environmental analyses. At Spectrosc 18(5):145–151

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood WW (1976) Guidelines for collection and field analysis of ground-water samples for selected unstable constituents: techniques of water resources investigations, U. S. Geological Survey, Book 1, Chapter D2, U. S. Government Printing Office, p 24

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood WW, Rizk ZS, Alsharhan AS (2003) Timing of recharge, and the origin, evolution and distribution of solutes in a hyper arid aquifer system, developments in water science (50). In: Alsharhan AS, Wood WW (eds) Water resources perspectives: evaluation, management and policy. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 245–264

    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). Groundwater: Quality Degradation and Water Pollution. 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_18

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation