Implications of Climate Change on Water Resources in Saudi Arabia
By:Chowdhury, S (Chowdhury, Shakhawat)[ 1 ]; Al-Zahrani, M (Al-Zahrani, Muhammad)[ 1 ]
ARABIAN JOURNAL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Volume: 38
Issue: 8
Pages: 1959-1971
DOI: 10.1007/s13369-013-0565-6
Published: AUG 2013
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Abstract
Effects of climate change on water resources in Saudi Arabia were investigated. Changes of
precipitation, temperature, relative humidity and wind speed were predicted. Net solar
radiation was estimated from solar radiation monitoring stations. Changes in reference
evapotranspiration (ETo) were estimated using Penman-Monteith approach. The
estimations were performed for 49 grids (2.5A degrees Latitude x 3.75A degrees
Longitude) covering Saudi Arabia (Latitude: 16.5 A degrees N-32.5 A degrees N; Longitude:
33.75 A degrees E-56.25 A degrees E). The averages of ETo were estimated to be 0.245 and
0.368 m/year (0.343-0.394 m/year) in the year 2011 and 2050, respectively. The rates of
ETo were predicted to be higher in the Southern part than the Northern part of the country.
The difference between ETo and precipitation indicates that there may be a loss of soil
moisture by 0.181 m/year (0.042-0.236 m/year) during the period of 2011 through 2050.
Increase in temperature was estimated to be 1.8-4.1 A degrees C, which can increase
agricultural water demands by 5-15 % to obtain the current level of agricultural
productions. This study anticipates significant reductions in water sources, which can
impose further stress on agriculture and drinking water sources. Deterioration of source
water quality is also expected. This study sheds light on the need for appropriate measures
to protect water resources in Saudi Arabia.
Keywords
Author Keywords:Effects of climatic change; Evapotranspiration; Global warming; Water
resources; Water quality; Agricultural water demands
KeyWords Plus:RIVER; IMPACTS; TRIHALOMETHANES; EXPOSURE; QUALITY; RISK
Author Information
Reprint Address: Chowdhury, S (reprint author)
King Fahd Univ Petr & Minerals, Dept Civil & Environm Engn, Water Res Grp, Dhahran
31261, Saudi Arabia.
Organization-Enhanced Name(s)
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Addresses:
[ 1 ] King Fahd Univ Petr & Minerals, Dept Civil & Environm Engn, Water Res Grp,
Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia
Organization-Enhanced Name(s)
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
E-mail Addresses:SChowdhury@kfupm.edu.sa
Author Identifiers:Author Identifiers:
Author
ResearcherID
ORCID Number
Chowdhury, Shakhawat
K-7625-2013
View profile at ResearcherID.com
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0329-2630
Document Information
Document Type:Article
Language:English
Accession Number: WOS:000322114200004
ISSN: 1319-8025