Springer Water The book series Springer Water comprises a broad portfolio of multi- and interdisciplinary scientific books, aiming at researchers, students, and everyone interested in water-related science. The series includes peer-reviewed monographs, edited volumes, textbooks, and conference proceedings. Its volumes combine all kinds of water-related research areas, such as: the movement, distribution and quality of freshwater; water resources; the quality and pollution of water and its influence on health; the water industry including drinking water, wastewater, and desalination services and technologies; water history; as well as water management and the governmental, political, developmental, and ethical aspects of water. More information about this series at http://www.springer.com/series/13419 Osman Abdalla • Anvar Kacimov Mingjie Chen • Ali Al-Maktoumi Talal Al-Hosni • Ian Clark Editors Water Resources in Arid Areas: The Way Forward 123 Editors Osman Abdalla Ali Al-Maktoumi Earth Sciences Department, Sultan Qaboos University College of Science AlKhod Sultan Qaboos University Oman AlKhod Oman Talal Al-Hosni Sultan Quaboos University Anvar Kacimov AlKhod Sultan Qaboos University Oman AlKhod Oman Ian Clark Department of Earth and Environmental Mingjie Chen Sciences Water Research Center University of Ottawa Sultan Qaboos University Ottawa, ON AlKhod Canada Oman ISSN 2364-6934 ISSN 2364-8198 (electronic) Springer Water ISBN 978-3-319-51855-8 ISBN 978-3-319-51856-5 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-51856-5 Library of Congress Control Number: 2017936464 © Springer International Publishing AG 2017 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Springer International Publishing AG The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland To communities in arid regions striving for sustainable and healthy water supply. Preface The exponentially growing demand for water due to population growth, water-intensive diets, and rising of living standards has considerably stressed water resources worldwide. The challenge is greater in arid areas where evaporation significantly exceeds precipitation, and thus natural water resources are depleting. The water budget deficit in arid areas, the high cost of water supply, and the essential need for food and associated energy value among other challenges all need to be scientifically addressed to propose solutions to world current and future water problems. Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary fundamental and applied scientific research is essential to contribute to solve water problems. Thus, this book “Water Resources in Arid Areas: The Way Forward” addresses diverse water issues in arid regions through gathering selected outstanding contributions presented at the International Water Conference “Water Resources in Arid Areas (IWC 2016),” which was held in Muscat, Oman, in March 2016. This book presents to the reader different examples of applied and fundamental evolving water science that will hopefully enlighten decision-makers, planners, and communities in making sound judgments for better management of water resources. The book contains 6 main parts with a total of 28 chapters representing the contributions to different water issues in arid regions. The following themes rep- resent the 6 parts and appear in the book in the following sequential order: Climate and Water Resources Groundwater Resources Water Resources Management Salinity and Desalination Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Agriculture and Irrigation Management vii viii Preface A few decades ago, the arid regions (mostly located in developing areas) were entirely relying on external expertise to assess/understand local and regional water resources challenges and to suggest and implement solutions. The region has now developed fair scientific and technological independence evident from the contri- butions published in this book. The various applications of isotopes, satellites, exploration techniques, advancements in water treatment and desalination, hydro- logical modeling among others presented in this book demonstrate this develop- ment. The arid regions are playing an important part in the equation of global climatic changes, and the effects are also seen in the region similar to polar areas; therefore, arid regions can be an important player in the international global climatic changes policy and mitigation developments. It is our hope that through presenting these examples and case studies that reader will gain a broader understanding of the current research and developments in water resources of arid areas. Thanks Osman Abdalla Anvar Kacimov Mingjie Chen Ali Al-Maktoumi Talal Al-Hosni Ian Clark Acknowledgements This book assembles selected papers presented at the conference “Water Resources in Arid Areas: The Way Forward” organized by the Water Research Center (WRC) at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), Oman. The highly appreciated generous support provided by SQU for the conference has paved the ground for this book. The review of papers conducted by a pool of experts in various fields of water science (names of reviewers are listed at page XIX) has significantly improved the quality and provided constructive criticism important for quality assurance. We would like to also express our deepest thanks and gratitude to the authors of the selected papers for their valuable contribution. We are also indebted to the office work and support of Ms. Maria Diana Austria, the WRC office coordinator. ix Contents Part I Climate and Water Resources Paleoclimatic Registers from Semi-arid Costal Sediments of Southeastern India: A Multi Proxy Approach ................... 3 Anburaj Vidyasakar, Helena Sant’Ovaia, Linto Alappat, P. Morthekai, Seshachalam Srinivasalu, A.K. Singhvi, Ferreira Jorge and Celeste Gomes Collective Impact of Upstream Anthropogenic Interventions and Prolonged Droughts on Downstream Basin’s Development in Arid and Semi-arid Areas: The Diyala Transboundary Basin ...... 31 Furat A.M. Al-Faraj Scenarios Based Climate Projection for Oman Water Resources ...... 43 Sultan Al-Yahyai, Yassine Charabi, Said Al-Sarmi and Juma Al-Maskari Study of Rainfall Variations in Tessa Subwatershed of Medjerda River in Tunisia ............................. 59 Sahar Abidi, Olfa Hajji and Hamadi Habaieb Spatial and Temporal Variability Analysis Using Modelled Precipitation Data in Upper Catchment of Chambal Basin ........... 75 Ankit Gupta, Maya Kumari and B. Krishna Rao Recent Observed Climate Change Over Oman ................. 89 Said Al-Sarmi, Sultan Al-Yahyai, Juma Al-Maskari, Yassine Charabi and B.S. Choudri xi xii Contents Part II Groundwater Resources Significance of Silica Analysis in Groundwater Studies of Domestic Shallow Wells in Parts of Jeli District, Kelantan, Malaysia ........................................... 103 Mohammad Muqtada Ali Khan, Fatin Wahida Fadzil, Hafzan Eva Mansor, Dony Adriansyah Nazaruddin and Zameer Ahmad Shah Assessment of Global Change Impacts on Groundwater Resources in Souss-Massa Basin ......................................... 115 Seif-Ennasr Marieme, Hirich Abdelaziz, Zine El Abidine El Morjani, Choukr-Allah Redouane, Zaaboul Rashyd, Nrhira Abdessadek, Malki Mouna, Bouchaou Lhoussaine and Beraaouz Elhassane An Overview of Stable Isotopes in Northern Oman’s Main Aquifers as an Insight into Recharge Process ...................... 141 Khadija Semhi, Osman Abdalla and Rashid Al Abri Satellite-Based Estimates of Groundwater Storage Changes at the Najd Aquifers in Oman .................................. 155 Mohamed Saber, Saif Alhinai, Ahmed Al Barwani, Ahmed AL-Saidi, Sameh A. Kantoush, Emad Habib and David M. Borrok Part III Water Resources Management Geological Assessment of Water-Based Tourism Sites in Jeli District, Kelantan, Malaysia .............................. 173 Dony Adriansyah Nazaruddin, Muhammad Muqtada Ali Khan, Sofea Rasheeqa Fazil, Zurfarahin Zulkarnain and Kausilia Raman Mapping and Modelling of Areas at Risk of Erosion: Case of Aures Center (Algeria) ................................. 197 Benmessaoud Hassen, Laggoun Soufiane and Chafai Chaouki Evaluation of Water Erosion Risk in Tunisian Semi Arid Area ....... 215 Olfa Hajji, Sahar Abidi, Taoufik Hermassi and Ikram Mekni Hydrological Modeling of Sediment Transport in the