Aquifer investigations in north Qatar

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Science, Technology and Design, Department of Environment, Geography and Geology, University of Luton, UK in partial fulfillment ofthe requirements for the degree of Master of PhilosophyThe purpose of this study was to investigate the levels and quality of groundwater in a farming area to the north of Doha, the capital of the State of Qatar. Two rows of about five wells were selected, the lines being more or less parallel to each other, about 30 km apart, running for 45 km inland from the east coast. Vertical electrical sounding surveys were undertaken and groundwater samples were taken from these wells in winter and in summer. The water was chemically analysed, and the results formed the basis for a hydrogeochemical modelling exercise. The results of the geophysical and geochemical surveys indicate that there is a seasonal vertical and lateral migration of the fresh water/salt water interface in winter before the rainfall replenishes the groundwater aquifers. The geochemistry of the groundwater indicate that there is a gradual decrease of cations and anions, particularly Na+, cr, S04, and HC03-, together with a decrease in conductivity CEC), total dissolved solids (TDS) and sodium absorption ratio (SAR) from the coast inland. There is an upconing which brings the saline water to the surface near the middle of the southern profile in both seasons. In both profiles the fresh water/salt water interface migrates inland due to the excessive extraction of fresh water from the wells