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Novel Perspective for Interactions between Water and the Geology Using GRACE and Remote Sensing Data

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A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Hydrogeology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 April 2024) | Viewed by 13459

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Karem Abdelmohsen

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Guest Editor

1. School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
2. Geodynamics Department, National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), Helwan, Cairo, Egypt
Interests: hydrogeology; geology; geophysics; GRACE; remote sensing; GIS analysis

Dr. Lóránt Földváry

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary
Interests: gravity geodesy; earth sciences; GRACE; crustal deformation; satellite data; geophysics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

While the slow movement of groundwater through porous media (laminar flow) is well characterized by existing methods, modeling rapid and turbulent flow through geological structural pathways (shear zones/faults/karst) remains a challenging task. Traditional investigation methods include measurement of water flux across the groundwater movement, application of heat and environmental tracer methods, numerical simulations of the water flow, and mass-balance-based approaches.

This Special Issue invites contributions using GRACE, remote sensing, and modeling to address and to better understand the nature, and the full scale, of water and geology interactions. We realize that there is added value in integrating observations extracted from GRACE and remote sensing data with those from other datasets (such as groundwater flow models or geochemical, isotopic tracers, and hydrologic models). These include but are not limited to field, hydrologic, geophysical, and geochemical data. As such, we encourage submissions with additional complementary approaches and investigation methods to better understand water and geology interaction.

Dr. Karem Abdelmohsen
Dr. Lóránt Földváry
Guest Editors

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Keywords

geology
hydrogeology
GRACE
remote sensing
hydrological modeling

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

28 pages, 9629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Coupling Machine and Deep Learning with Explainable Artificial Intelligence for Improving Prediction of Groundwater Quality and Decision-Making in Arid Region, Saudi Arabia

by Fahad Alshehri and Atiqur Rahman

Water 2023, 15(12), 2298; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15122298 - 20 Jun 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1688

Abstract

Recently, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) models based on artificial intelligence (AI) have emerged as fast and reliable tools for predicting water quality index (WQI) in various regions worldwide. In this study, we propose a novel stacking framework based on DL models for WQI prediction, employing a convolutional neural network (CNN) model. Additionally, we introduce explainable AI (XAI) through XGBoost-based SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) values to gain valuable insights that can enhance decision-making strategies in water management. Our findings demonstrate that the stacking model achieves the highest accuracy in WQI prediction (R²: 0.99, MAPE: 15.99%), outperforming the CNN model (R²: 0.90, MAPE: 58.97%). Although the CNN model shows a relatively high R² value, other statistical measures indicate that it is actually the worst-performing model among the five tested. This discrepancy may be attributed to the limited training data available for the CNN model. Furthermore, the application of explainable AI (XAI) techniques, specifically XGBoost-based SHAP values, allows us to gain deep insights into the models and extract valuable information for water management purposes. The SHAP values and interaction plot reveal that elevated levels of total dissolved solids (TDS), zinc, and electrical conductivity (EC) are the primary drivers of poor water quality. These parameters exhibit a nonlinear relationship with the water quality index, implying that even minor increases in their concentrations can significantly impact water quality. Overall, this study presents a comprehensive and integrated approach to water management, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to mitigate pollution levels and uphold water quality. By leveraging AI and XAI, our proposed framework not only provides a powerful tool for accurate WQI prediction but also offers deep insights into the models, enabling informed decision-making in water management strategies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Perspective for Interactions between Water and the Geology Using GRACE and Remote Sensing Data)

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18 pages, 6632 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Groundwater Potentiality of Wadi Fatimah, Western Saudi Arabia: Geophysical and Remote Sensing Integrated Approach

by Fahad Alshehri and Kamal Abdelrahman

Water 2023, 15(10), 1828; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15101828 - 11 May 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2293

Abstract

To detect groundwater-bearing potential zones in Wadi Fatimah, western Saudi Arabia, geophysical data from three profiles of two-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and remote sensing data were gathered, integrated, and evaluated. The DEM and slope maps indicate that Wadi Fatimah has a high potential to store great amounts of groundwater. The maximum elevations range from 0 to 933 m, with an average elevation of 466 m AMSL. The amount of surface water that infiltrates into the ground is affected by the slope. Rainwater can be collected in low-sloped areas and percolate into the subsurface, replenishing groundwater. In the study area, the slope ranged from 0° to 38°. The slopes of Wadi Fatimah ranged from 0° to 9.1°, with highlands having slopes ranging from 9.1° to 38°. Wadi Fatimah has a high stream density. Furthermore, because it is unconfined, the groundwater-bearing zone reaches the ground surface and recharges continuously during the rainy season. The drainage density is 0.433 km/km², which is considered normal for coarse drainage. Lithology, infiltration capacity, and topographic relief all have an impact on drainage texture. Because of the basement rocks’ low slope, a coarse drainage texture of 0.059 was calculated, indicating additional groundwater recharge from precipitation. Moreover, based on the 2D inversion results of the ERT data, Wadi Fatimah’s unconfined aquifer has a high potential for groundwater. This aquifer is distinguished by a zone of low resistivity (less than 100 Ω.m) and a depth of up to 50 m below the ground surface. This aquifer is underlain by the weathered/fractured and/or fresh basement rocks. Wadi Fatimah basin is recharged by rainfall creating a promising or strategic area for groundwater supply for future planning and urbanization projects in surrounding areas. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Perspective for Interactions between Water and the Geology Using GRACE and Remote Sensing Data)

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13 pages, 2306 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Water Density Variations of the Aral Sea from GRACE and GRACE-FO Monthly Solutions

by Lóránt Földváry, Karem Abdelmohsen and Bence Ambrus

Water 2023, 15(9), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15091725 - 29 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1748

Abstract

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and its successor, the GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) gravity satellite missions, have been providing monthly gravity field solutions for almost 20 years, enabling a unique opportunity to monitor large-scale mass variation processes. The gravity anomaly time series for the Aral Sea region has been obtained for the period of April 2002 to January 2022. The method of determining the gravity anomaly time series from GRACE and GRACE-FO monthly solutions has been improved by considering the mass variations of the Caspian Sea. The gravity anomaly time series was then compared to water mass changes determined by considering variations in the salinity and temperature of seawater. Nevertheless, the tests suggest that improvements in correlation with such information might occur, although the relevance of the improvement should not be overestimated. All in all, it can be demonstrated that salinity changes relevantly influence the gravity field; however, the signal is too weak to inversely obtain information from satellite-borne gravity observations on salinity variations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Perspective for Interactions between Water and the Geology Using GRACE and Remote Sensing Data)

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16 pages, 8799 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Groundwater Storage Fluctuations Using GRACE and Remote Sensing Data in Wadi As-Sirhan, Northern Saudi Arabia

by Fahad Alshehri and Ahmed Mohamed

Water 2023, 15(2), 282; https://doi.org/10.3390/w15020282 - 09 Jan 2023

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4696

Abstract

Human activity has led to a rise in the demand for water, prompting Saudi Arabia to search for alternative groundwater supplies. Wadi As-Sirhan is one area that has experienced extensive agricultural growth and the severe over-exploitation of its groundwater resources. The groundwater drawn from the wadi should be continuously monitored to determine the best management options for groundwater resources and economic growth. The most recent Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission and outputs of land surface models were combined to estimate the depletion rate of the groundwater of the Wadi As-Sirhan drainage basin in the northern region of Saudi Arabia throughout the period of April 2002–December 2021. The findings are: (1) the average GRACE-derived terrestrial water storage variation (ΔTWS) was calculated at −13.82 ± 0.24 mm/yr; (2) the soil moisture storage variation was averaged at +0.008 ± 0.004 mm/yr; (3) the GRACE-derived groundwater depletion rate was estimated at −13.81 ± 0.24 mm/yr; (4) the annual precipitation data over the Wadi As-Sirhan was averaged at 60 mm/yr; (5) The wadi has a minimal recharge rate of +2.31 ± 0.24 mm/yr, which may partially compensate for a portion of the groundwater withdrawal; (6) the sediment thickness shows an increase from 0 m at the southern igneous and volcanic rocks to more than 3000 m close to the Saudi–Jordanian border; (7) The wadi’s eastern, southern, and western portions are the sources of its tributaries, which ultimately drain into its northwestern portion; (8) change detection from the Landsat photos reveals considerable agricultural expansions over recent decades. The integrated method is useful for analyzing changes to groundwater resources in large groundwater reservoirs and developing environmentally appropriate management programs for these resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Perspective for Interactions between Water and the Geology Using GRACE and Remote Sensing Data)

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16 pages, 6401 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Mass Variations in Terrestrial Water Storage over the Nile River Basin and Mega Aquifer System as Deduced from GRACE-FO Level-2 Products and Precipitation Patterns from GPCP Data

by Basem Elsaka, Karem Abdelmohsen, Fahad Alshehri, Ahmed Zaki and Mohamed El-Ashquer

Water 2022, 14(23), 3920; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14233920 - 01 Dec 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1999

Abstract

Changes in the terrestrial total water storage (TWS) have been estimated at both global and river basin scales from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission and are still being detected from its GRACE Follow-On (GRACE-FO) mission. In this contribution, the sixth release of GRACE-FO (RL06) level-2 products applying DDK5 (decorrelation filter) were used to detect water mass variations for the Nile River Basin (NRB) in Africa and the Mega Aquifer System (MAS) in Asia. The following approach was implemented to detect the mass variation over the NRB and MAS: (1) TWS mass (June 2018–June 2021) was estimated by converting the spherical harmonic coefficients from the decorrelation filter DDK 5 of the GRACE-FO Level-2 RL06 products into equivalent water heights, where the TWS had been re-produced after removing the mean temporal signal (2) Precipitation data from Global Precipitation Climatology Project was used to investigate the pattern of change over the study area. Our findings include: (1) during the GRACE-FO period, the mass variations extracted from the RL06-DDK5 solutions from the three official centers—CSR, JPL, and GFZ—were found to be consistent with each other, (2) The NRB showed substantial temporal TWS variations, given a basin average of about 6 cm in 2019 and about 12 cm in 2020 between September and November and a lower basin average of about −9 cm in 2019 and −6 cm in 2020 in the wet seasons between March and May, while mass variations for the MAS had a relatively weaker temporal TWS magnitude, (3) the observed seasonal signal over the NRB was attributed to the high intensity of the precipitation events over the NRB (AAP: 1000–1800 mm yr⁻¹), whereas the lack of the seasonal TWS signal over the MAS was due to the low intensity of the precipitation events over the MAS (AAP:180–500 mm yr⁻¹). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Perspective for Interactions between Water and the Geology Using GRACE and Remote Sensing Data)

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