Assessment of Potential Potable Water Reserves in Islamabad, Pakistan Using Vertical Electrical Sounding Technique
This study aimed to investigate the potential reserves of potable water in Islamabad, Pakistan, considering the alarming depletion of water resources. A detailed vertical electrical sounding (VES) survey was conducted in two main localities: Bara Kahu (Area 1) and Aabpara to G-13 (Area 2), based on...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Hydrology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/10/12/217 |
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| author | Mehboob ur Rashid Muhammad Kamran Muhammad Jawad Zeb Ihtisham Islam Hammad Tariq Janjuhah George Kontakiotis |
| author_facet | Mehboob ur Rashid Muhammad Kamran Muhammad Jawad Zeb Ihtisham Islam Hammad Tariq Janjuhah George Kontakiotis |
| author_sort | Mehboob ur Rashid |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study aimed to investigate the potential reserves of potable water in Islamabad, Pakistan, considering the alarming depletion of water resources. A detailed vertical electrical sounding (VES) survey was conducted in two main localities: Bara Kahu (Area 1) and Aabpara to G-13 (Area 2), based on accessibility, time, and budget constraints. A total of 23 VES measurements were performed, with 13 in Area 1 and 10 in Area 2, reaching a maximum depth of 500 m. Geologs and pseudosections were generated to assess lithological variations, aquifer conditions, and resistivity trends with depth. Statistical distribution of resistivity (SDR), hydraulic parameters, true resistivity, macroanisotropy, aquifer depth and thickness, and linear regression (R<sup>2</sup>) curves were calculated for both areas, providing insights into the aquifer conditions. The results revealed that the study areas predominantly consisted of sandy lithology as the aquifer horizon, encompassing sandstone, sandy clay, and clayey sand formations. Area 2 exhibited a higher presence of clayey horizons, and aquifers were generally deeper compared to Area 1. The aquifer thickness ranged from 10 m to 200 m, with shallow depths ranging from 10 m to 60 m and deeper aquifers exceeding 200 m. Aquifers in Area 1 were mostly semi-confined, while those in Area 2 were predominantly unconfined and susceptible to recharge and potential contamination. The northwest–southeast side of Area 1 exhibited the highest probability for ground resource estimation, while in Area 2, the northeast–southwest side displayed a dominant probability. The study identified a probable shear zone in Area 2, indicating lithological differences between the northeast and southwest sides with a reverse sequence. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the shallow aquifers in Area 1 be considered the best potential reservoir for water supply. In contrast, deeper drilling is advised in Area 2 to ensure a long-lasting, high-quality water supply. These results provide valuable information for water resource management and facilitate sustainable water supply planning and decision making in Islamabad, Pakistan. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:42:36Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3efec29c198a4895987fce91e7d1025f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2306-5338 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T20:42:36Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Hydrology |
| spelling | doaj.art-3efec29c198a4895987fce91e7d1025f2023-12-22T14:12:55ZengMDPI AGHydrology2306-53382023-11-01101221710.3390/hydrology10120217Assessment of Potential Potable Water Reserves in Islamabad, Pakistan Using Vertical Electrical Sounding TechniqueMehboob ur Rashid0Muhammad Kamran1Muhammad Jawad Zeb2Ihtisham Islam3Hammad Tariq Janjuhah4George Kontakiotis5Geoscience Advance Research Labs, Geological Survey of Pakistan, Islamabad 44000, PakistanGeoscience Advance Research Labs, Geological Survey of Pakistan, Islamabad 44000, PakistanGeoscience Advance Research Labs, Geological Survey of Pakistan, Islamabad 44000, PakistanNational Center of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25130, PakistanDepartment of Geology, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal Dir Upper 18050, PakistanDepartment of Historical Geology-Paleontology, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, School of Earth Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, Zografou, 15784 Athens, GreeceThis study aimed to investigate the potential reserves of potable water in Islamabad, Pakistan, considering the alarming depletion of water resources. A detailed vertical electrical sounding (VES) survey was conducted in two main localities: Bara Kahu (Area 1) and Aabpara to G-13 (Area 2), based on accessibility, time, and budget constraints. A total of 23 VES measurements were performed, with 13 in Area 1 and 10 in Area 2, reaching a maximum depth of 500 m. Geologs and pseudosections were generated to assess lithological variations, aquifer conditions, and resistivity trends with depth. Statistical distribution of resistivity (SDR), hydraulic parameters, true resistivity, macroanisotropy, aquifer depth and thickness, and linear regression (R<sup>2</sup>) curves were calculated for both areas, providing insights into the aquifer conditions. The results revealed that the study areas predominantly consisted of sandy lithology as the aquifer horizon, encompassing sandstone, sandy clay, and clayey sand formations. Area 2 exhibited a higher presence of clayey horizons, and aquifers were generally deeper compared to Area 1. The aquifer thickness ranged from 10 m to 200 m, with shallow depths ranging from 10 m to 60 m and deeper aquifers exceeding 200 m. Aquifers in Area 1 were mostly semi-confined, while those in Area 2 were predominantly unconfined and susceptible to recharge and potential contamination. The northwest–southeast side of Area 1 exhibited the highest probability for ground resource estimation, while in Area 2, the northeast–southwest side displayed a dominant probability. The study identified a probable shear zone in Area 2, indicating lithological differences between the northeast and southwest sides with a reverse sequence. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the shallow aquifers in Area 1 be considered the best potential reservoir for water supply. In contrast, deeper drilling is advised in Area 2 to ensure a long-lasting, high-quality water supply. These results provide valuable information for water resource management and facilitate sustainable water supply planning and decision making in Islamabad, Pakistan.https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/10/12/217potable watervertical electrical soundingaquiferlithologyresistivitygroundwater resource estimation |
| spellingShingle | Mehboob ur Rashid Muhammad Kamran Muhammad Jawad Zeb Ihtisham Islam Hammad Tariq Janjuhah George Kontakiotis Assessment of Potential Potable Water Reserves in Islamabad, Pakistan Using Vertical Electrical Sounding Technique Hydrology potable water vertical electrical sounding aquifer lithology resistivity groundwater resource estimation |
| title | Assessment of Potential Potable Water Reserves in Islamabad, Pakistan Using Vertical Electrical Sounding Technique |
| title_full | Assessment of Potential Potable Water Reserves in Islamabad, Pakistan Using Vertical Electrical Sounding Technique |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of Potential Potable Water Reserves in Islamabad, Pakistan Using Vertical Electrical Sounding Technique |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of Potential Potable Water Reserves in Islamabad, Pakistan Using Vertical Electrical Sounding Technique |
| title_short | Assessment of Potential Potable Water Reserves in Islamabad, Pakistan Using Vertical Electrical Sounding Technique |
| title_sort | assessment of potential potable water reserves in islamabad pakistan using vertical electrical sounding technique |
| topic | potable water vertical electrical sounding aquifer lithology resistivity groundwater resource estimation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2306-5338/10/12/217 |
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