Water quality mapping and assessment, and weathering processes of selected aflaj in Oman

Abstract

There are more than 4,000 falaj (singular of a peculiar dug channel) distributed in different regions in Oman. The chemical characteristics of the water in 42 falaj were studied to evaluate the major ion chemistry; geochemical processes controlling water composition; and suitability of water for drinking, domestic, and irrigation uses. GIS-based maps indicate that the spatial distribution of chemical properties and concentrations vary within the same region and the different regions as well. The molar ratios of (Ca + Mg)/Total cations, (Na + K)/Total cations, (Ca + Mg)/(Na + K), (Ca + Mg)/(HCO₃ + SO₄), and Na/Cl reveal that the water chemistry of the majority of aflaj are dominated by carbonate weathering and evaporite dissolution, with minor contribution of silicate weathering. The concentrations of most of the elements were less than the permissible limits of Omani standards and WHO guidelines for drinking water and domestic use and do not generally pose any health and environmental problems. Some aflaj in ASH Sharqiyah and Muscat regions can be used for irrigation with slight to severe restriction because of the high levels of electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, chloride, and sodium absorption ratio.