Salt Crust Research Articles

Dust emission variability at the Salton Sea, California, USA

Abstract A field study conducted through a series of four field campaigns between 2005 and 2007 investigated the potential for dust emissions around the Salton Sea in California, USA. This paper explores the landform related controls on fugitive PM 10 dust emissions from soil surfaces surrounding the Salton Sea by measuring soil properties combined with estimating the in situ PM 10 dust emissions using a novel small portable field wind tunnel (PI-SWERL). The locations surrounding the Salton Sea were selected to encompass varying geomorphic landforms, including exposed shoreline areas with playa characteristics, barnacle covered beaches, dry washes, interdunes, and exposures of ancient Lake Cahuilla. The largest variation in potential dust emissions over the sampling period was from the playa-like surfaces that are near the open water and exhibited surface salt crusts, with the highest emissions measured from these surfaces during the winter. However, the largest emitting landform over the entire period were the dry washes that only exhibited a small degree of silt/clay crust, if any and were composed mainly of sand-sized particles. The highest emissions from all surfaces are compared with dust fluxes measured from Owens Lake and are within the same order of magnitude as those also measured with wind tunnels. Salt content did not show any statistically significant correlation with PM 10 dust emissions during any sampling period for the soils tested, which is attributed to the complications associating soil salt contents with particular salt crystal habit.

Bloedite sedimentation in a seasonally dry saline lake (Salada Mediana, Spain)

Salt crusts covering the surface of the Salada Mediana, a seasonally dry saline lake in northern Spain, consist predominantly of bloedite (Na 2Mg(SO 4) 2.4H 2O). Microscopic features of the crust were investigated to understand processes of bloedite sedimentation. This study was combined with satellite and airborne observations, revealing asymmetrical concentric and parallel-linear patterns, related to wind action. Gypsum (CaSO 4.H 2O) and glauberite (Na 2Ca(SO 4) 2) in the calcareous sediments below the crust, and abundant eugsterite (Na 4Ca(SO 4) 3.2H 2O) along the base of the crust, largely formed at a different stage than bloedite. The main part of the crust consists predominantly of coarse-crystalline xenotopic–hypidiotopic bloedite, but fan-like aggregates with downward widening, radial aggregates, surface layers with vertically aligned elongated crystals, and partially epitaxial coatings occur as well. The upper part of the crust is marked by a bloedite–thenardite (Na 2SO 4) association, recording a change in brine composition that is not in agreement with results of modelling of local brine evolution. A thin fine-grained thenardite-dominated surface formed in part by subaqueous settling of crystals, but there are also indications for development by transformation of bloedite. Surface features include fan-like bloedite aggregates with upward widening, formed by bottom growth. Overall, the Salada Mediana crusts record a complex history of bloedite and thenardite precipitation by various processes.

Internal structure and origin of modern salt crust of Salar de Uyuni (Bolivia) salt pan based on tomographic research

This paper presents the results of a study on the internal structure of modern salt crust of Salar de Uyuni in SW Bolivia. Additionally, the structure of desiccation fissure infill was investigated. X-ray microtomography was used as the main analytical method because it enabled the complete structure of the sample’s interior to be imaged without its destruction. Based on microtomographic images three layers were distinguished in the crust between the surface and its base: a halite shell at the top, a cellular halite layer in the middle and a large-pore halite layer at the base. Results revealed that the desiccation fissures are filled with extremely porous bubble-halite. Distribution of mud in the sample as well as wash-out of the surfical halite crystals indicate the cyclicity of halite dissolution, its crystallisation and mud accumulation. These observations provide an explanation for low rate salt accumulation in the salt pan. This leads to the conclusion that the observed layering in the rocks does not reflect annual sedimentation-evaporation cycles but rather long-term cycles.

The Sustainable Development of Kuwaiti Sabkhas

Abstract“Sabkha” is an Arabic term commonly used in foreign languages to denote a salt flat, a shallow depression. Sabkhas normally occur near sea level or at the underground water level. They usually are encrusted with a salt crust layer, the thickness of which depends on the location of the sabkhas and the evaporation rate. Sabkhas are one of the prominent surface topographical features in the Kuwaiti coastal zone, occupying an area of about 769.4 km2, equivalent to 4.3 percent of the nation's total area. Due to their presence in the most important locations near the coastline, they are a most suitable setting for exploitative human activities. Sabkhas have attracted development proponents, particularly after the increased economic growth, and urgent need for homes and housing facilities. The most significant developments in the sabkha lands are urban development, agricultural forestation, and nature reserves. This study has revealed that there are environmental hazards related to the use of sabkha lands, including salt weathering, soil salinization, tree damage and depletion of natural reserves, the deterioration of nebakha (formation and growth around plants in the desert where groundwater is available for vegetation; the usual dune forms that occur in such instances are isolated mounds around individual plants) fields, and semikarstic (an area of irregular limestone in which erosion has produced fissures, sinkholes, underground streams, and caverns) solution holes. Therefore, use of such lands should take into account scientific investigation and selection among the different development fields. Such a fragile environment obliges us to consider nature conservation, a non‐disruption or depletion of sabkhas' limited natural resources, and their environmental components. The concept of the sustainable development should prevail in the use of such sabkhas.

Floating brine crusts, reduction of evaporation and possible replacement of fresh water to control dust from Owens Lake bed, California

Summary Owens Lake, California, a saline terminal lake desiccated after diversion of its water source, was formerly the single largest anthropogenic source of fugitive dust in North America. Over 100 billion m−3 yr−1 of fresh water are projected to be used for mandated dust control in over 100 km2 of constructed basins required to be wetted to curtail emissions. An extensive evaporite deposit is located at the lake’s topographic low and adjacent to the dust control basins. Because this deposit is non-dust-emissive, it was investigated as a potential replacement for the fresh water used in dust control. The deposit consists of precipitated layers of sodium carbonate and sulfate bathed by, and covered with brine dominated by sodium chloride perennially covered with floating salt crust. Evaporation (E) rates through this crust were measured using a static chamber during the period of highest evaporative demand, late June and early July, 2009. Annualized total E from these measurements was significantly below average annual precipitation, thus ensuring that such salt deposits naturally remain wet throughout the year, despite the arid climate. Because it remains wetted, the evaporite deposit may therefore have the potential to replace fresh water to achieve dust control at near zero water use.

A Brine Evolution Model and Mineralogy of Chemical Sediments in a Volcanic Crater, Lake Kitagata, Uganda

Lake Kitagata, Uganda, is a hypersaline crater lake with Na–SO4–Cl–HCO3–CO3 chemistry, high pH and relatively small amounts of SiO2. EQL/EVP, a brine evaporation equilibrium model (Risacher and Clement 2001), was used to model the major ion chemistry of the evolving brine and the order and masses of chemically precipitated sediments. Chemical sediments in a 1.6-m-long sediment core from Lake Kitagata occur as primary chemical mud (calcite, magadiite [NaSi7O13(OH)3·3H2O], burkeite [Na6(CO3)(SO4)2]) and as diagenetic intrasediment growths (mirabilite (Na2SO4·10H2O)). Predicted mineral assemblages formed by evaporative concentration were compared with those observed in salt crusts along the shoreline and in the core from the lake center. Most simulations match closely with observed natural assemblages. The dominant inflow water, groundwater, plays a significant role in driving the chemical evolution of Lake Kitagata water and mineral precipitation sequences. Simulated evaporation of Lake Kitagata waters cannot, however, explain the large masses of magadiite found in cores and the formation of burkeite earlier in the evaporation sequence than predicted. The masses and timing of formation of magadiite and burkeite may be explained by past groundwater inflow with higher alkalinity and SiO2 concentrations than exist today.

Salt crust mineralogy and geochemical evolution of the Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü), Turkey

The Salt Lake (Tuz Golu) is the second largest lake in Turkey and also is one of the greatest salty lakes in the world. Salt Lake has a great salt potential. The salt was produced in large quantities on saltpans in the Salt Lake. In this study, a detailed mineralogical investigation was carried out with salt crust samples and unconsolidated muddy sediments, below the salt crust collected from the KaldA±rA±m Saltpan in the Salt Lake. The salt crust and below the salt crust (1 - 20 cm) evaporate mineralogy were determined by X-ray diffraction method. The analysis results show that the salt crust was in composition of halite, gypsum and kieserite; muddy sediments and below the salt crust which was in the composition of gypsum, magnesite, thenardite, polyhalite, aragonite and montmorillonite. The mineralogical variations of the participated salts indicated that, the chemical compositions of brines vary significantly between the Na-K-Mg-Ca-Cl type and the Na-K-Mg-Cl-SO4 type. Key words: Salt lake, solar evaporation, evaporates, salt crust, XRD, SEM.

Space monitoring of Aral Sea degradation

The results of remote sensing survey of the Aral Sea in its degradation period are given. Satellite images are used to map shoreline retreat from 1961 to 2008 and to measure the decrease in the area. Seasonal variations in shoreline and water area are identified, suggesting seasonal level variations and correlating well with data of satellite altimetry surveys of sea level. Observations covered surge phenomena, seasonal dynamics of landscapes, and the seasonal salinization rhythm in coastal territories with the subsequent formation and weathering of salt crusts. The character of river runoff input into the Great Sea resulting from overbank flooding in artificial water bodies in the Amu Darya delta is identified.

Effect of geological conditions on road construction in Jandagh Playa of Iran

The Jandagh–Moalleman road, which crosses the Great Kavir of Iran, was completed in 1999. Less than 1 year after completion, road subsidence problems began. In order to determine the causes of failure, field observations were taken along with surface and subsurface samples from road segments exhibiting typical problems. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine their physical, chemical, and engineering properties. The results indicate that there are two typical layers in this playa: an upper, hard, salty crust layer composed of up to 46% soluble materials; and a lower, thick, muddy layer which is mostly composed of silt, clay minerals, gypsum, and halite. It was concluded that mineral dissolution of the upper salt crust layer and the sinking of road fill materials into the lower muddy layer, are the main causes of road settlement. An appropriate method to protect the road against the dissolution of its soluble materials is recommended.

Chemical Properties of the Salt Crust Layer in Shelterbelts Under Drip Irrigation with Saline Water in a Mobile Desert

Salt crust is a unique layer that forms on the soil surface under drip irrigation with saline water in the shelterbelts along the Trim Desert Highway.In this study,the chemical properties of salt crust layers in shelterbelts with different ages along the Trim Desert Highway in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert were analyzed.The results of this study were as follows:(1) The levels of organic matter in the salt crust layer increased as the age of the shelterbelt and the drip irrigation years increased due to the accumulation and decomposition of litter,but over time the increase trend gradually decreased;(2) The total N and total P increased as the age of the shelterbelt and the drip irrigation years increased,but the total K increased initially and then decreased;(3) The total salt content in the salt crust layer was much higher than in mobile sand,but it gradually decreased as the age of the shelterbelt and drip irrigation years increased;(4) The contents of all ions were higher when compared with the contents in mobile sand,but the SO2-4,Mg2+,Na+,Cl-,K+ and Ca2+ levels gradually decreased as the shelterbelt ages and drip irrigation years increased.In addition,the CO2-3 level changed only slightly,while the HCO-3 concentration gradually increased as the shelterbelt ages and drip irrigation years increased;(5) The pH values of the salt crust layer were all alkaline and gradually decreased as the shelterbelt ages and drip irrigation years increased.Indeed,even the pH value of a salt crust layer in a shelterbelt that was irrigated for 11 years was lower than that of mobile sand.

DODDER AND TRUE RHYMES

4 1 R D O D D E R A N D T R U E R H Y M E S S A N D R A M C P H E R S O N Dependent lei, you are welcome in patches. You puncture, leafless. You’re a slippery pumpkin color, before bloom. You live o√ your needle, pinned in pickleweed. Twisted, you’re a melee; cats fight over a spool of you. You lodge beside salt crusts and nodules, diatoms, sea lettuce, fine-branching scum. You are brass and copper wire by the red baywater. Soon you will have your diadem season. Exquisite parasite, flattering halophyte, cuscuta of botanist Gronon, kaunaoa of the island of Lanai, sponger, scrounger, freeloader on intervocalic alveolar voicing, the linguists tell me you are true, yet I can taste that lie; alma mater doesn’t mate, exact, with you. I protest that Ds and Ts don’t tie – that’s an – that’s their –identity disorder in addition to DTs. Can’t we just call us a marsh-rhyme? – a bit of a morass. I love us but I’m not your twin. 4 2 M C P H E R S O N Y I’m a waterbird-spotter, wader and plodder, hereditary poet of baylands, birth daughter of John Todd, John Todd’s daughter. ...

Cultivation and molecular monitoring of halophilic microorganisms inhabiting an extreme environment presented by a salt-attacked monument

AbstractIn the last few years several investigations, based on culture-dependent and -independent techniques, have shown that salt-attacked stone surfaces present a habitat for extremely salt tolerant and moderate halophilic microorganisms. The inner walls of the Chapel of St. Virgil in Vienna (Austria) are an example of this phenomenon. Salt crusts cover most of the wall surfaces and salt crystallization in the porous space of the stone is causing decohesion of material and destruction of the original medieval paintings. The salt, together with the oligotrophic conditions, creates a very special and extreme habitat for halotolerant and halophilic microorganisms.In this study we investigate and monitor the cultivable and non-cultivable members of the microbial community present on the stonework of the medieval Chapel of St. Virgil after several severe disturbances of the microbial environment caused by desalination and disinfection treatments. With this finality, a combination of culture-dependent and -independent techniques was selected. The genetic diversity of a total of 104 bacterial strains isolated from the stone samples was analysed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Strains were distributed over 29 groups on the basis of their RAPD patterns. Only 19 groups were differentiated by DGGE. Comparative sequence analyses showed that the isolated strains belong to related species of the generaHalobacillus(47.1%),Bacillus(35.6%),Acinetobacter(4.8%),Halomonas(3.9%),Nesterenkonia(2.9%),Paucisalibacillus(2.9%),Paenibacillus(1%),Staphylococcus(1%) andExiguobacterium(1%).In addition, polymerase chain reaction DGGE fingerprints, in combination with the creation of clone libraries and sequencing analyses, were used to monitor and identifyArchaea, the non-cultivable fraction of the microbial community. The detected archaeal sequences were closely related to different uncultured archaeons as well as to the cultured generaHalococcusandHalalkalicoccusandHalobacterium.Cultivation and molecular analyses revealed the presence of highly specialized microorganisms that were able to thrive and survive after several desalination and disinfection treatments in the extreme environment presented by the salt-attacked Chapel of St. Virgil.

The effect of salt crust on the thermal conductivity of one sample of fluvial particulate materials under Martian atmospheric pressures

A line‐heat source apparatus was used to measure thermal conductivities of a lightly cemented fluvial sediment (salinity = 1.1 g · kg−1), and the same sample with the cement bonds almost completely disrupted, under low pressure, carbon dioxide atmospheres. The thermal conductivities of the cemented sample were approximately 3× higher, over the range of atmospheric pressures tested, than the thermal conductivities of the same sample after the cement bonds were broken. A thermal conductivity‐derived particle size was determined for each sample by comparing these thermal conductivity measurements to previous data that demonstrated the dependence of thermal conductivity on particle size. Actual particle‐size distributions were determined via physical separation through brass sieves. When uncemented, 87% of the particles were less than 125 μm in diameter, with 60% of the sample being less than 63 μm in diameter. As much as 35% of the cemented sample was composed of conglomerate particles with diameters greater than 500 μm. The thermal conductivities of the cemented sample were most similar to those of 500‐μm glass beads, whereas the thermal conductivities of the uncemented sample were most similar to those of 75‐μm glass beads. This study demonstrates that even a small amount of salt cement can significantly increase the thermal conductivity of particulate materials, as predicted by thermal modeling estimates by previous investigators.

Environmental Conditions and Vegetation Recovery at Abandoned Drilling Mud Sumps in the Mackenzie Delta Region, Northwest Territories, Canada

Historical data from oil and gas exploration in the delta of the Mackenzie River, Northwest Territories, in the 1970s provided an opportunity to estimate decadal-scale impacts of exploratory oil and gas drilling on native plant communities in low Arctic tundra. We assessed changes in vegetation composition and associated environmental gradients across seven drilling mud sumps in the Kendall Island Bird Sanctuary, Mackenzie Delta. Three decades after disturbance, drilling sumps had developed vegetation coverage equivalent to that in undisturbed areas, although bare soil persisted in ponded areas and where a salt crust was present. Vegetation on sumps was composed of communities dominated by forbs, grasses, and tall shrubs that were distinct from adjacent, undisturbed sedge and low shrub communities. The area of altered vegetation around a sump was generally larger in upland or saline environments than in lowland areas. Pooled water observed around many sumps was likely associated with thaw subsidence that occurred following construction, which was subsequently compounded by snow drifting and increased soil temperatures along the margins of the sump mound. Changes in drainage, active-layer depth, and surface salt concentrations appear to be key environmental factors that have helped shape plant communities established on drilling sumps in the three decades after disturbance.

Hydrohalite in cold sea ice: Laboratory observations of single crystals, surface accumulations, and migration rates under a temperature gradient, with application to “Snowball Earth”

When NaCl precipitates out of a saturated solution, it forms anhydrous crystals of halite at temperatures above +0.11°C, but at temperatures below this threshold it instead precipitates as the dihydrate “hydrohalite,” NaCl · 2H2O. When sea ice is cooled, hydrohalite begins to precipitate within brine inclusions at about −23°C. In this work, hydrohalite crystals are examined in laboratory experiments: their formation, their shape, and their response to warming and desiccation. Sublimation of a sea ice surface at low temperature leaves a lag deposit of hydrohalite, which has the character of a fine powder. The precipitation of hydrohalite in brine inclusions raises the albedo of sea ice, and the subsequent formation of a surface accumulation further raises the albedo. Although these processes have limited climatic importance on the modern Earth, they would have been important in determining the surface types present in regions of net sublimation on the tropical ocean in the cold phase of a Snowball Earth event. However, brine inclusions in sea ice migrate downward to warmer ice, so whether salt can accumulate on the surface depends on the relative rates of sublimation and migration. The migration rates are measured in a laboratory experiment at temperatures from −2°C to −32°C; the migration appears to be too slow to prevent formation of a salt crust on Snowball Earth.

Environmental changes, remote sensing, and infrastructure development: The case of Egypt's East Port Said harbour

Using Landsat TM data, this article examines the environmental impact of the East Port Said harbour project on the surrounding landscape. The optimum three-band combination and the most appropriate multispectral bands were selected to enhance the images and monitor land cover changes for the periods of 1984–1991 and 1991–2003. The results indicate that wetland areas declined from 103 km 2 in 1984 to 30 km 2 in 2003. In addition, the surface area of El-Malha Lake has shrunk from 27 km 2 to 18 km 2 over the same period. In contrast, the area covered by salt crust has increased from 11 km 2 in 1984 to 19 km 2 in 2003. Urban land use and designed cultivated lands were also significant in 2003, covering 49 km 2 and 71 km 2, respectively. The rate of shoreline change between 1984 and 2003, the period when the East Port Said harbour was constructed, was calculated. Vector data indicate that the rate of shoreline loss was −13 m/year from 1984 to 1991 and −15 m/year from 1991 to 2003. Despite the fact that construction of the East Port Said harbour caused significant changes in the study area, there are several factors controlling coastline and land cover changes including industrial development and fish cultivation farms.

Origin of Salts and Brine Evolution of Bolivian and Chilean Salars

Central Andes in Bolivia and northern Chile contain numerous internal drainage basins occupied by saline lakes and salt crusts (salars). Salts in inflow waters stem from two origins: alteration of volcanic rocks, which produces dilute waters, and brine recycling, which leads to brackish waters. Chilean alteration waters are three times more concentrated in average than Bolivian waters, which is related to a higher sulfur content in Chilean volcanoes. Brackish inflows stem from brines which leak out from present salars and mix with dilute groundwater. Most of the incoming salts are recycled salts. The cycling process is likely to have begun when ancient salars were buried by volcanic eruptions. Three major brine groups are found in Andean salars: alkaline, sulfate-rich, and calcium-rich brines. Evaporation modeling of inflows shows good agreement between predicted and observed brines in Chile. Alkaline salars are completely lacking in Chile, which is accounted for by higher sulfate and lower alkalinity of inflow waters, in turn related to the suspected higher sulfur content in Chilean volcanic rocks. Six Bolivian salars are alkaline, a lower number than that predicted by evaporative modeling. Deposition on the drainage basin of eolian sulfur eroded from native deposits shifts the initial alkaline evolution to sulfate brines. The occurrence of calcium-rich brines in Andean salars is not compatible with volcanic drainage basins, which can only produce alkaline or sulfate-rich weathering waters. The discrepancy is likely due to recycled calcic brines from ancient salars in sedimentary basins, now buried below volcanic formations. Calcic salars are not in equilibrium with their volcanic environment and may slowly change with time to sulfate-rich salars.

Effects of natural covers on soil evaporation of the shelterbelt along the Tarim Desert Highway

The control of soil evaporation is one of important approaches to save water. The artificially simulated evaporation experiments have been conducted in the hinterland of the Taklimakan Desert to reveal the effects of the natural covers on the soil evaporation of the Tarim Desert Highway shelterbelt as well as provide some insights in the efficient utilization of water resources and optimization of irrigation systems. The results showed that (1) All the covers, including the sand deposit, the salt crust, the litter, the sand-litter mixed layer and so on, can significantly inhibit the soil water evaporation. Specifically, the daily evaporation, the total evaporation, and the evaporation rate in covered sands were much smaller than that of sands without cover. The cover inhibition effects increased with the cover thickness. Particularly, the soil evaporation of the covered sands was less affected by external and internal factors than that of the bare sands. Moreover, the variation of daily evaporation of covered sands was smaller than that of bare sands. The cumulative evaporation varied linearly with time in the covered sands whereas it varied logarithmically in the bare sands. In addition, the soil evaporation in the bare sands showed significantly different characteristics in the early and late stages of the evaporation. (2) All the covers exhibited the significant inhibiting effect on the soil evaporation, and the inhibition efficiency increased logarithmically with the cover thickness. However, as the cover thickness was above a certain value, the increase in the inhibition efficiency was slow. Particularly, at a cover thickness of 2 cm, there was no obvious difference in the inhibition efficiency among all kinds of covers. The maximum inhibition efficiency as calculated from the daily evaporation on the first day of irrigation was: sand-litter mixed layer (79.92%) > litter layer (78.96%) > salt crust (75.58%) > sand bed (74.11%), whereas the average inhibiting efficiency as calculated from the cumulative soil evaporation at the end of an irrigation cycle (the fourth day) was: salt crust (67.78%) > sand-litter mixed layer (66.72%) > sand deposit (63.28%) > litter layer (61.74%).

Development of Individual Hydration Strategies for Athletes

Athletes are encouraged to begin exercise well hydrated and to consume sufficient amounts of appropriate fluids during exercise to limit water and salt deficits. Available evidence suggests that many athletes begin exercise already dehydrated to some degree, and although most fail to drink enough to match sweat losses, some drink too much and a few develop hyponatremia. Some simple advice can help athletes assess their hydration status and develop a personalized hydration strategy that takes account of exercise, environment, and individual needs. Preexercise hydration status can be assessed from urine frequency and volume, with additional information from urine color, specific gravity, or osmolality. Change in hydration during exercise can be estimated from the change in body mass that occurs during a bout of exercise. Sweat rate can be estimated if fluid intake and urinary losses are also measured. Sweat salt losses can be determined by collection and analysis of sweat samples, but athletes losing large amounts of salt are likely to be aware of the taste of salt in sweat and the development of salt crusts on skin and clothing where sweat has evaporated. An appropriate drinking strategy will take account of preexercise hydration status and of fluid, electrolyte, and substrate needs before, during, and after a period of exercise. Strategies will vary greatly between individuals and will also be influenced by environmental conditions, competition regulations, and other factors.

Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP)-Based Flood Water Retention Planning in Thailand

The Chi River basin is the lifeline of northeast Thailand and suffers from recurrent flood and drought. The fundamental solution lies in storing the flood water and using it in the dry months for agriculture and domestic use. This paper describes a methodology that can help identify the optimum of flood retention reservoirs based on the use of an analytical hierarchical process (AHP). The parameters considered in the study were salt crust, soil drainage, slope, land use, and geological formation. AHP was used to compute the weights of the main and sub-criteria. These weights were employed to determine a Water Harvesting Potential Index (WHPI). Based on the analysis, potential areas were categorized as excellent, good, moderate, and poor candidates. These data were converted into vector layers for creating water harvesting zone maps. The capacity of the potential reservoirs was computed in a GIS environment using an analysis of digital elevation models (DEMs) and maps of potential water harvesting zones. The DEM had some missing data points, which were filled and calibrated. The map was validated with a field survey of the flood water retention site and the reservoir sites under the supervision of Regional Office of Irrigation 6, Thailand. The proposed methodology improved the ability to identify the location of flood water retention reservoirs in Thailand.