Spatio-Temporal Trend Analysis of Groundwater Levels in Sharjah, UAE
Abdullah Gokhan Yilmaz, Abdallah Shanableh, Rami Al‐Ruzouq, Naseraldin Kayemah
Abstract
United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a water stressed country due to limited rainfall. Moreover, rapid population growth, increase in agricultural and industrial activities are causing additional stress to the water resources in UAE. Groundwater is the most important fresh water source in UAE, and sustainable and efficient management of groundwater is vital for the country. Trend analysis of groundwater levels is an essential component of groundwater management, since it provides significant information about the direction and characteristics of the groundwater level trend, allowable discharge limit and the cause of groundwater decline. In this study, monthly groundwater level trends from eleven well fields were investigated over the period of 15 years in Sharjah, UAE. Groundwater spatiotemporal data analysis tool (GWSDAT) was used for the spatial and temporal trend analysis for groundwater levels. Mann-Kendall non-parametric test was used for the temporal trend analysis. Statistically significant decreasing trends were identified almost in all well fields in Sharjah. In parallel to decreasing groundwater levels, the groundwater production has fallen substantially (more than 90% decrease in some well fields over 15 years). It was found that the well fields close to the coastline experienced significant decrease in groundwater levels, which induces sea water intrusion and salinization of groundwater.