Al Ain: Heavy reliance on groundwater for agriculture has increased salinity in the underground water resources of Fujairah, reveals a latest scientific report.
A high concentration of nitrate, total dissolved solids and potassium have been traced in various ground water samples collected by the UAE University (UAEU) researchers. "Salinisation [salinity] of groundwater is clearly observed in [the] collected groundwater samples," it said.
Development
"Agricultural activities are the main cause of increasing groundwater salinity in aquifers in the emirate."
Fujairah has witnessed rapid economic developments that have affected the availability of good quality water resources in the major aquifers across the emirate, said the report.
Population growth is also observed as another strenuous factor in depleting the already limited water resources.
"Industrial and agricultural practices in the emirate have depleted the available fresh water in the aquifers," said the researchers.
