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Comparative Analysis of the Impact of Climate Variability on the Chemical Properties of Agricultural Well Water in Sohar (2018–2025)
Organization(s):Hind Bint Almohlab
Country:Oman
Student(s):Mira Omar Al-Yhyai
Sultanah Ibrahim Al-Balushi
Grade Level:Upper Primary (grades 3-5, ages 8-11)
GLOBE Member(s):Asma Abdallah Alalawi
Contributors:
Report Type(s):Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Air Temperature, pH, Salinity
Presentation Poster:
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Language(s):English
Date Submitted:2026-01-30
This study examines the relationship between climate variability and the chemical properties of agricultural well water in the Wilayat of Sohar during the period from 2018 to 2025, in light of the increasing challenges posed by climate change to water resources in arid and semi-arid regions. The study relied on official data obtained from relevant authorities and specialized platforms, including measurements of salinity (EC) and acidity/alkalinity (pH) for three agricultural wells, in addition to reliable climatic data comprising rainfall amounts and average annual temperatures for the same period.
The study focuses on addressing a set of key research questions, most notably:
(1) To what extent do changes in rainfall amounts affect the salinity and pH of agricultural well water?
(2) What is the nature of the relationship between average temperature and changes in the chemical properties of this water?
(3) Do salinity and pH differ in their degree of sensitivity to climatic factors during the study period?
To answer these questions, annual averages of salinity and pH values for the three agricultural wells were calculated and temporally linked to rainfall and temperature data through comparative analysis and graphical representation to examine general trends and relationships among the variables. The results revealed a clear inverse relationship between rainfall amounts and average well-water salinity, whereby salinity decreased during wetter years and increased during periods of relative drought. In contrast, pH values showed relative stability within a slightly alkaline range and were only marginally affected by climatic factors. The analysis also indicated that higher temperatures contribute to increased salt concentration as a result of higher evaporation rates, without a significant effect on pH values.
The study concludes that climate variability—particularly fluctuations in rainfall and rising temperatures—has a greater impact on the salinity of agricultural well water in the Wilayat of Sohar than on pH levels. This finding underscores the importance of strengthening sustainable groundwater management practices to mitigate the effects of climate change on the agricultural sector.