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sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Climatic and geologic influences on the hydrology of Al-Kharj Plain, Saudi Arabia

Auteur : Al-Ammari, Abdullah Saad N

Université de soutenance : Eastern Michigan University

Grade : Master of Science (MS) 1991

Résumé
This study examines and describes the climate and geology of the Al-Kharj Plain of east-central Saudi Arabia. These two factors are analyzed to determine their effect on the hydrology of an alluvial plain south of Riyadh. The study area is characterized by high temperatures, high evaporation, low relative humidity, and very low but variable annual rainfall. These environmental factors have an impact on the water resources of the area and together are the cause of surface water scarcity in Saudi Arabia. The only reasonable exploitable water resource is in the subsurface. The geology under the Al-Kharj Plain consists of eastward dipping sedimentary rocks which contain deep aquifers. Three wadis flow into the Al-Kharj Plain, creating a large alluvial fill in a wide valley which provide shallow aquifers. The quantity of water that exists under the Al-Kharj Plain allows the area to be one of the most productive agricultural areas in Saudi Arabia. The high level of agricultural production creates a great demand on subsurface water resource which the government will need to regulate closely.

Mots clés : Hydrology, Geology, Geography, Earth sciences

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