Integrated geophysical and hydrogeological techniques for environmental monitoring and assessment: a case study for waste disposal site, Jeddah Saudi, Arabia

Environmental problems are inevitable phenomena for worldwide. Nowadays in multidisciplinary research era, integrated geophysical techniques are commonly applied for environmental monitoring and assessment along with other techniques. Waste disposal is an alarming problem and causes a lot of environmental issue. In Jeddah City, residential and industrial waste was deposited without treatment et al. Misk (Buraiman) Lake. Geophysical and hydrological investigations were carried out to identify and monitor extent of the contamination in the subsurface. Geophysical techniques comprised of electromagnetic induction and electrical resistivity methods. The hydrogeological investigations included water sample analysis. High electrical conductivity values were observed along the plume compared to the surroundings. The results of the electromagnetic survey, electrical resistivity and water samples were correlated and found in good agreement. The contamination was found in most of the areas with varying concentration levels. The study revives that integrating geophysical techniques with hydrogeological studies eases to map the groundwater contamination.