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Assessing elements of surface hydrology for environmental quality characterisation of a site northwest of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

M. Tahir Hussein (College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Hussien Awad (College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Omar Allafouza (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
Fahad Al Ahmadi (Ministry of Water and Electricity, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)

Management of Environmental Quality

ISSN: 1477-7835

Article publication date: 27 February 2009

454

Abstract

Purpose

Surface hydrology studies are becoming more important for environmentalists and design engineers in arid regions where climate elements, particularly rainfall, are severe, sporadic and difficult to forecast. The main purpose of this study is to analyse elements of surface hydrology in the northwest of Riyadh City as part of environmental quality characterization for urban development.

Design/methodology/approach

The study area lies within a typical arid zone in the Arabian desert, and forms an integral part of Riyadh City extension. Field observations, collection and analyses of meteorological data, identification and analyses of the drainage network were the main approaches used in this study. The study made use of SPOT 4 satellite images, published topographic maps and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) from Shuttle Radar (SRTM).

Findings

Drainage analyses show four sub‐dendritic systems in northwest Riyadh. The study area lies within the middle sub‐catchment with a total area of 11‐5 km2. Average annual rainfall is 125 mm. It occurs in the months of November‐February with a standard deviation of 17‐25.5 for monthly rainfall and a standard deviation of 3.2‐8.8 for maximum daily rainfall. Annual relative humidity is 34.4 percent, annual solar radiation is 477 cal/cm2 per day, prevailing wind direction is NE and N with an average speed of 5.1 km/hr, and average annual evaporation is 2910 mm. Runoff peak flow varies from 2.73‐4.67 m3/sec.

Practical implications

Planners, design engineers, decision makers can use these findings for urban environmental development. The results of this study can help to prepare safeguard settlements from any unforeseen events.

Originality/value

The study indicates the importance of environmental quality chacterization for urban development.

Keywords

Citation

Tahir Hussein, M., Awad, H., Allafouza, O. and Al Ahmadi, F. (2009), "Assessing elements of surface hydrology for environmental quality characterisation of a site northwest of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 20 No. 2, pp. 192-204. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777830910939499

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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