PhD & Postdoc

Farah Al-Zahrawi

Arid-Zone Hydrology · Sultan Qaboos University

Farah Al-Zahrawi quantifies the recharge rates and flow pathways in the fractured limestone aquifer system of Oman's Hajar Mountain range — the primary freshwater source for an interior plateau that supports 400,000 people and irrigates 18,000 hectares of date palm and vegetable cultivation. At Sultan Qaboos University's Earth Sciences department, supervised by Prof. Khalid Al-Busaidi, she combines environmental tracer data — tritium–helium groundwater ages from 60 sampled wells, stable isotope signatures tracing precipitation source areas — with GRACE-FO satellite gravity anomaly time series to independently estimate seasonal storage changes. Her tritium-helium ages reveal that most of the aquifer's productive zone holds water recharged 15–40 years ago, while a deeper confined unit contains pre-1960s water that is being mined without contemporary recharge. GRACE-FO data indicate that total groundwater storage has declined at 0.8 km³ per year over 2018–2025, consistent with her well-based mass balance. These findings directly inform Oman's National Water Strategy 2040 managed aquifer recharge programme, with which Farah works through a secondment to the Oman Water Research Center. Her upcoming IAH Brussels presentation will reach international hydrogeology and water utility audiences.

Thesis Topic

Groundwater Recharge Estimation in Fractured Limestone Aquifers of the Hajar Mountains Using Environmental Tracers and GRACE-FO Satellite Data

Transition Signals