Assessment of the challenges facing the transboundary fossil Saq–Disi Aquifer System (SDAS) in Saudi Arabia and Jordan, towards sustainability

As a result of overexploitation by humans, more than 8% of the world transboundary aquifer systems are under significant stress, leading to rapid groundwater depletion. This research examines the mechanisms of groundwater recharge and storage within the complex contexts of hydrogeology, hydrology, governance, management, geopolitics, and sustainable development. The transboundary, fossil, non-renewable groundwater of the Saq-Disi Aquifer System (SDAS), shared by Saudi Arabia and Jordan, is the central focus of this research. This research provides a comprehensive analysis and assessment of the scientific, governance, policymaking, strategies, socio-economic, public health, management, and sustainable development factors that significantly impact the status of SDAS as one of the most threatened and challenged aquifer systems in the world. To ensure the effective management, preservation, sustainable development, and good governance of this vast and valuable transboundary aquifer system, SDAS, the sharing countries are strongly advised to pay special attention to reducing water consumption rates, particularly in light of the prevailing instability in the Gulf region. This can be achieved by providing precise mechanisms for balancing discharge and recharge. However, SDAS suffers from very low recharge rates due to its location in an arid region severely affected by climate change. Thoroughly examined the Saq-Disi Aquifer System (SDAS) as a fossil, nonrenewable transboundary hydrogeological regime shared by Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Investigated many issues related to SDAS, including stratigraphy, geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, structural geology, sedimentology, geochemistry, petrophysics, seismology, water yield and storage, recharge-discharge mechanism, carbon storage and sequestration (CSS), socioeconomics, geopolitics, and the 2015-Disi Agreement (DA) between Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Investigated natural and anthropogenic challenges facing SDAS, including overexploitation and environmental issues, which have resulted in declining SDAS water levels, as well as increasing salinity and radioactivity rates that may pose further risks to the aquifer system in the near future.