CEST2025

Sustainable water resource management in arid regions necessitates effective identification and characterization of groundwater aquifers. This study employs the Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) method to map and assess shallow aquifer systems in the Al-Hofuf area of eastern Saudi Arabia, contributing to nature-based groundwater management strategies. Utilizing 20 VES measurements with the Schlumberger electrode configuration (AB/2 up to 400 m), the research delineates subsurface geoelectric layers and correlates them with aquifer properties. The resistivity values (25–138 Ω·m) indicate the presence of the Al-Khobar karstified and fractured limestone aquifer at depths ranging from 65 to 138 meters. Derived hydraulic parameters reveal significant groundwater potential, with conductivity (2–35 m/day), transmissivity (1–99 m²/day), and permeability (3.05 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.33 × 10⁻⁶ m²) peaking at VES points with high porosity (up to 0.66). These aquifer zones exhibit enhanced fluid movement and storage capacity, which is critical for maintaining a resilient water supply system. The integration of geoelectrical techniques with groundwater chemistry data illustrates the effectiveness of VES in characterizing aquifers in data-scarce environments. This approach provides a cost-effective, non-invasive, and scalable solution for sustainable groundwater management, aligning with nature-based solutions in arid landscapes.