Geophysical and sedimentological evaluation of quaternary groundwater aquifers, eastern hafit anticline, al-ain, united arab emirates (UAE)

Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) geophysical techniques are integrated with the Sedimentlogical analysis (megascopic/microscopic examination as well as, X-ray diffraction, to investigate the hydrostratigraphic units and sediments analysis of the Quaternary aquifer Al-Ain City, UAE, where the study area is located. The main goal of this study is to map the Quaternary aquifer at the area and identify the location of the paleochannels, which is considered to be of high hydrologic potential. Many wadis are originated from the Oman Mountains range and form the catchment and feeding area of the water resources. The subsurface investigation of these wadis is very important for better understanding of the aquifer system from the hydrological point of view. Nine2-D resistivity tomograms and five VES indicate the hydrostratigraphic units of the Quaternary aquifer. Erosional unconformities at the base of the quaternary alluvium are traced along some of the (2-D) profiles. These unconformities represent the paleochannels in the bed rock that were formed in the geological past by the ancient wadis. These paleochannels are considered as promising locations for groundwater investigation. This was integrated with the Petrographical analysis of Quaternary sediments in the study area, which indicates Four facies types in the aquifer sediments which consist of serpentine, calcite, dolomite and plagioclase, with minor contents of quartz, pyroxene and amphibole.