Groundwater flow and solute transport simulation in eastern Al Batinah coastal plain, Oman: Case study

The Al Batinah coastal plain in the Sultanate of Oman is one of the area's most treasured regions for the existence of fresh groundwater and agriculture. Growth of irrigation, urbanization, and industrial endeavors have resulted in a severe decline in groundwater levels in the Al Batinah coastal aquifer, leading to significant seawater intrusion in recent decades. This study examines the groundwater and seawater intrusion pattern in the eastern Al Batinah coastal plain using a groundwater flow model along with a solute transport model. Both steady and transient calibration was carried out using data from the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources. The calibrated model was then utilized to simulate two scenarios to mitigate seawater intrusion: (1) reduction in pumping rate; and (2) artificial recharge with constant pumping. Model predictions suggest that the effect of optimizing the pumping rate and artificial recharge reducing seawater intrusion would prove to be effective in the eastern Al Batinah coastal plain.