Multi-layer groundwater flow simulation in Al-Khoud lower catchment in Oman

Abstract

Sustainable groundwater resource management requires a better understanding of multilayer interactions, caused by the heterogeneous formations and enhanced by the groundwater withdrawal in aquifers. This phenomenon was studied in Al-Khoud lower catchment in Oman. Water exchange between different layers was observed by measuring piezometric heads of wells located at the same place with screen intervals placed in different layers. In addition, groundwater levels from 8 more wells and pumping rates from 60 wells were used for developing a numerical model in a 156 km² area. Lithological data from 23 boreholes were used for defining three subsurface layers. Model results under different conditions indicated that 1.9–3.8 m head difference could be attributed to the pumping, while 2.1–6.0 m groundwater-level variations were accounted for the heterogeneity and anisotropic effects. Further analysis showed that the increased pumping rate increased the piezometric head difference between the layers, which enhances the multi-layer interactions.

KEYWORDS:

• Arid climate
• heterogeneity
• anisotropy
• Oman
• MODFLOW

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Dr. Rashid Al-Abri and his staff in the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources for their support in data collection.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The Ministry and Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA), Sultanate of Oman: [grant number CR/ENG/CAED/19/01].

Notes on contributors

Al-Mundhar Al-Nasri

Al-Mundhar Al-Nasri is an MSc student in the Department of Civil And Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. He is specialized in Groundwater Hydrology and Numerical Simulation fields.

Luminda Niroshana Gunawardhana

Luminda Niroshana Gunawardhana is Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil And Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. He is specialized in Groundwater Hydrology, Surface Water, Climate Change and Numerical Simulation fields.

Ghazi Ali Al-Rawas

Ghazi Ali Al-Rawas is Associate Professor in the Department of Civil And Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. He is specialized in Groundwater Hydrology, Surface Water and GIS & Remote Sensing fields.

Mahad Said Baawain

Mahad Said Baawain is Associate Professor and Dean in the International Maritime College Oman. He is specialized in Groundwater Hydrology and Water quality fields.

Ahmed Sana

Ahmed Sana is Associate Professor in the Department of Civil And Architectural Engineering, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. He is specialized in Groundwater Hydrology, Numerical Simulations and Coastal Engineering fields.