Mapping of seawater intrusion into the coastal aquifer of Al Khabourah, Oman, after cyclone Shaheen using electrical resistivity tomography

Groundwater is an important source of water in Oman for irrigation, domestic and public-supply water use. Meanwhile, floods are important sources of groundwater recharge in arid and semi-arid areas. With appropriate management practices, floods can significantly increase the groundwater recharge. This study uses electrical resistivity tomography, time domain electromagnetic method and groundwater salinity to map and understand the seawater intrusion into the coastal aquifer of Al Khabourah, Oman, after the tropical cyclone Shaheen. It investigates the present status of groundwater quality in the region and its enhancement or degradation after Shaheen supporting the adoption of appropriate flood management practices to enhance groundwater recharge. This approach, combining groundwater salinity and geophysical methods, is transportable and has been applied and tested in other arid and semiarid regions. The results of the research can also be used to evaluate effective usage and management of the groundwater resource in the study area over the long term. This research will also provide much of the data needed to support the adoption of appropriate flood management practices to improve the sustainability of the groundwater resources in the region.