Ebook: Runoff, Infiltration and Subsurface Flow of Water in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions
- Tags: Hydrogeology, Geotechnical Engineering & Applied Earth Sciences, Waste Management/Waste Technology, Terrestrial Pollution
- Series: Water Science and Technology Library 21
- Year: 1996
- Publisher: Springer Netherlands
- Edition: 1
- Language: English
- pdf
Arid and semi-arid regions can be defined as environments in which water is the limit ing factor for bio-systems. This means that survival of life in these regions involves a constant struggle to obtain this limited commodity and draw the maximum benefit out of it. However, despite the difficulties for plants, animals, and man to live in, these regions, they are being utilized more and more because of the pressure of world population growth. This is expressed in the expansion of agricultural activities in desert lands as well as by the formation and rapid growth of urban and industrial centers. These trends result in a growing demand for water on the one hand, and the disposal of vast amounts of waste water, as well as other types of refuse, on the other. Meeting the first demand, namely, supplying water to the agricultural communities and urban centers, involves, in many instances, the over-exploitation and misuse of nat ural water resources. The surplus of waste water, sometimes highly loaded with toxic compounds, is likely to cause irreversible damage to the environment. The geoscientists and engineers face a challenge on two conflicting fronts. Success on one front, namely, in answering the full demand for water, may lead to an increase in the pollution of the environment by waste water.
This book attempts to describe runoff, infiltration and subsurface flow of water by adopting a holistic approach rather than restricting itself to a particular section of the hydrological cycle. It includes reports on recent studies which have led to a better understanding of a variety of problems prevailing in semi-arid and arid zones.
Emphasis has been put on studies which incorporate the use of advanced applied techniques developed for dealing with these water problems. This has been done with the hope of providing guidance in solving special problems of water supply and safe reuse of wastes, liable to arise during future development in these zones.
Audience: This volume is of value for experts from academia, consultancies and water resources planning and management institutes interested in hydrological problems in semi-arid and arid regions.