Groundwater Quality and Geochemistry in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions

This book reviews groundwater quality and its major global contaminants, and collects the latest advances in the analysis, remediation, risk assessment, and hydrogeochemistry of groundwater in countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the USA. This book mainly focuses on the major arid and semi-arid areas where groundwater is scarce and highly polluted with geogenic and anthropogenic contaminants and the recharge to the groundwater is negligible due to limited rainfall.

Divided into 2 parts, the book starts by covering topics like assessment and protection of groundwater in arid and semi-arid regions, groundwater pollution, and contamination risk assessment. Particular attention is given to the application of environmental isotopes in groundwater studies and how anthropogenic activities impact groundwater quality, the impact of irrigation reservoirs in groundwater and soil quality, and how artificial intelligence is applied to forecast groundwater quality. In the second part of this book, readers will find more about the major global contaminants of groundwater in arid and semi-arid areas, including a geochemical analysis of fluoride and nitrate contamination.

Supported by regional case studies, this book appeals to researchers, scholars, and professionals working in the field of groundwater contamination and remediation and is also an important account for policymakers.

1. Unveiling the Hidden Depths: A Review for Understanding and Managing Groundwater Contamination in Arid Regions

   • Khaled S. Gemail, Ismail Abd-Elaty

   Pages 3-35

2. Risk Assessment of Potential Groundwater Contamination by Agricultural Drainage Water in the Central Valley Watershed, California, USA

   • Mohamed Galal Eltarabily, Mohamed Kamel Elshaarawy

   Pages 37-76

3. Impact of Bugun’ Reservoir on Groundwater and Soil: A Case Study from South Kazakhstan

   • Vladimir M. Starodubtsev, Maryna M. Ladyka

   Pages 77-96

4. Impact of Climate Changes on Seawater Intrusion in the Nile Delta Aquifer (Egypt)

   • Asaad M. Armanuos, Mohamed Samir Taha, Bakenaz A. Zeidan

   Pages 97-163

5. Groundwater Quality Prediction in Upper and Middle Cheliff Plain, Algeria Using Artificial Intelligence

   • Yamina Elmeddahi, Salah Difi, Hemza Allali, Ragab Ragab

   Pages 165-183

6. Evolution of Groundwater in the Cheliff and Mitidja Aquifers (North Algeria) in Qualitative and Quantitative Terms

   • Faiza Hallouz, Mohamed Meddi

   Pages 185-213

7. Groundwater Pollution Sources and Its Quality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: State of the Art

   • Mustafa El-Rawy, Heba Fathi

   Pages 215-235

8. Isotopic and Chemical Composition of Egypt’s Groundwater Resources

   • Mohamed Ahmed, Mahmoud M. Khalil

   Pages 237-265

9. Understanding Seawater Intrusion by Hydrochemical Parameters and Stable Water Isotopes Along the Coastal Alluvial Aquifers of the Essaouira Basin, Morocco

   • Mohammed Bahir, Otman el Mountassir, Shakir Ali

   Pages 267-293

10. Geochemical Controls on Fluoride Enrichment in Groundwater of a Geologically Heterogeneous Part of Ghana: Implications for Human Health Risk Assessment

    • Emmanuel Daanoba Sunkari, Moses Boakye Okyere, Salaam Jansbaka Adams, Musah Saeed Zango, Prosun Bhattacharya, Shakir Ali

    Pages 297-326

11. Uncovering Fluoride Contamination in Groundwater of Arid and Semi-Arid Regions: Stigma to Solutions

    • Shakir Ali

    Pages 327-338

12. Nitrate Contamination in Groundwater of Arid and Semi-Arid Regions, Ecotoxicological Impacts, and Management Strategies

    • Subhash Chander, Sangita Yadav, Asha Gupta

    Pages 339-369