Groundwater study using audio-magnetotelluric data at Falaj Mazyad in the eastern Abu Dhabi Emirate, Al-Ain region, UAE

Al-Ain City is located in an arid environment with low precipitation, and underground water aquifers form the area's primary water supply. Understanding the geometry of these aquifers (depth and lateral extent) is crucial for the area's residents, as well as for local industries and agriculture that utilize these water sources. Geophysical techniques play a significant role in locating groundwater aquifers. In this study, we acquired audio-magnetotelluric (AMT) data at Falaj Mazyad in the Al-Jaww Plain near Al-Ain City for aquifer mapping. The Al-Jaww Plain is a flat alluvial plain composed of gravel and sand outwashes from the Oman mountains. 2D inversion of the AMT data reveals four resistivity zones: a shallow conductive layer (C1; ~15–45 Ωm) located in the western and central parts of the study area and two deeper conductive layers, C2 (2–10 Ωm) and C3 (< 3 Ωm). These conductive layers may represent the Quaternary and Pliocene aquifers. At depths exceeding 600 m, the AMT model indicates a high-resistivity region (R) characterized by resistivity >70 Ωm.