Integration of Remote Sensing and GIS with Sedimentological and Chemical Investigations for Environmental Evaluation Of Al Uyoun Evaporation Lake, Al Hassa, KSA

Abstrac: Al Uyoun Evaporation Lake is a wetland located to the north of Al Hassa Oasis, eastern province, KSA. The water of this lake is originated from the excess of drainage water which collected by earthen drainage network and discharged into the lake. Wetlands are important link between water and land ecosystems. They provide habitats and refuges for wildlife, flood protection and contribute to abatement of impact of pollution and promoting groundwater recharge. The main morphologic features of Al Uyoun Lake area are wetlands, sabkhas and sand dunes. Salt tolerant vegetation (halophyte) is found in some of the less salt affected sabkha areas. The present paper aims to study the environment of Al Uyoun Lake through integration of remote sensing and geographical information systems (GIS) coupled with Sedimentological, hydrogeological and chemical investigations. A complementary objective of this study was to demonstrate the GIS capabilities in exploring the full value of environmental data through spatial analysis and visual display of geographic information. The processed landsat-5 TM & SPOT Imageries indicated that, there were changes in areal extensions of both inland sabkha and water ponds with time. The origin and the various sediments types and their statistical grain size parameters were elaborated. Through chemical analyses, the major and minor ions content of soil pore water, surface water and sabkha soil samples were assessed. Then the GIS was used to facilitate: assessment of the impact of the extensions of inland sabkhas on the fertile soils of Al Hassa Oasis, water quality of Al Uyoun Lake and the potentiality of reusing its water for agricultural purposes and for irrigation water management at this vital area. Significant recommendations towards, improving the efficiency of water management, reuse of wetland water for agricultural purposes, mitigation of the impacts of the expansions of inland sabkhas surrounding Al Hassa Oasis and the sustainable development plan of Al Hassa Oasis, were given.