Popis: |
The Khatt, Madab, and Al Ghmour Springs are important springs in UAE. They are located in the foothills of the Oman Mountains. The water temperature of these springs is relatively high (approximately 39 °C). Overexploitation of fractured aquifers negatively affected the waterflows from these springs. The outflows from these springs are time-dependent and range from 10 to 50 L/s (until 1998) to 1–10 L/s (until 2010). To assess the current conditions of the spring areas, relevant data were carefully reviewed, analyzed, and stored in a GIS database. A 3D-geological model was developed for the Khatt Springs area, which allowed different types of visualizations, calculations, and predictions. In addition, a 2D earth resistivity imaging survey was performed to evaluate the available groundwater resources, characterize the major faults/fractures feeding these springs, and to determine the locations of saturated fractures and karsts and the thicknesses of the unconsolidated materials in the wadis. Borehole and drilling information from observation wells were utilized to enhance the analysis of the earth resistivity imaging data. The described procedures and acquired results indicated that it was possible to determine the locations of two production wells for feeding Al Ghmour Springs with water during drought periods to keep it alive. |