Abstract:
The present study aims to study the environment of Evaporation
Al Asfar Lake, Al Hassa area, eastern province, Saudi Arabia. Remote sensing,
sedimentological, hydrogeological, chemical studies and Geographical Information
Systems (GIS) are implemented to achieve the objectives of this study.
The processed landsat-5 TM and SPOT Imageries indicated, there is a general
increment in both the sabkha and water ponds areas extent with the passage
of time. The origin and the various sediments types are recognized through
the sedimentological aspects of this study. Different sabkha grades are
identified. These different sabkha grades have various degrees of salt
content as it is indicated from the TDS spatial distribution at Al Asfar
area. This study revealed that the surface water of Al Asfar lake is characterized
by a relatively low salinity and then re-treating and reusing of this
water in agricultural purposes will lead to minimize the sabkha extension,
to mitigate its impact on the nearby farms of Al Hassa oasis, to mitigate
aquifer recharge with high saline water and to optimize the water use
of this available surface water body in this arid environment. The results
of this study are important in any future development of this area of
the Al Asfar and in planning of how to reuse the water lakes in the agricultural
purposes. Chemical results are very important to be taken in consideration
by Saudi Aramco, as the different sabkha grades have their various corrosion
levels that may impact the pipelines crossing this sabkha area.
Y.Y. Al-Dakheel, A.H.A. Hussein, A.S. El Mahmoudi and M.A. Massoud, 2009. Soil, Water Chemistry and Sedimentological Studies of Al Asfar Evaporation Lake and its Inland Sabkha, Al Hassa Area, Saudi Arabia. Asian Journal of Earth Sciences, 2: 1-21.
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