Water shortages are a growing concern globally, particularly in desert regions such as the Middle East. The reliance on shallow aquifers to address these shortages is increasing, but the characteristics of these aquifers are poorly understood due to limited well logs. To address this challenge, researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering developed a new prototype known as Desert-SEA, which uses a radar mounted on a high-altitude aircraft to map the top of aquifers on a large scale. This technology will provide valuable insights into the variability and sustainability of aquifers in harsh and inaccessible environments.
The Desert-SEA technique uses low-frequency radar to probe the ground and map the water table with high vertical and spatial resolution. By sending pulsed waves into the ground and analyzing the reflected signals, researchers can detect any imbalances in the water table caused by fluctuations in water withdrawal and recharge. The adaptation of this technique for shallow aquifers in deserts required resolving several challenges in radar design, which the research team successfully tackled with the help of industry partners in Carlsbad, CA. Their system surpasses commercial ground penetrating radars in terms of signal strength, sensitivity, and speed, making it a valuable tool for mapping shallow aquifers.
Current shallow groundwater mapping in arid deserts relies heavily on well data that may be sparse and geographically distant, leading to inaccurate estimates of aquifer volume and dynamics. The Desert-SEA technology aims to fill these data gaps by providing high-power signals and advanced processing capabilities that complement well logs’ geographical distribution. With this new prototype, researchers can cover vast areas in a fraction of the time it would take to gather data from well logs, making it a valuable tool for understanding aquifer sustainability and water management in arid regions.
The Desert-SEA radar has wide applications beyond the Middle East, with potential use in other drought-prone regions such as central Asia, Australia, and US deserts. The technology’s ability to map subterranean water sources in real-time and generate three-dimensional images will be crucial for ensuring sustainable water management and food security in extreme environments. By providing insights into the ebb and flow of groundwater in desert regions, researchers can better understand how to use this valuable resource in a more sustainable manner, benefiting both the environment and local populations.
The researchers are now working on building a flight model of the Desert-SEA radar to be implemented on helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, allowing for further testing and deployment of this innovative technology. With its potential to revolutionize the way aquifers are mapped and monitored in desert regions, the Desert-SEA radar holds promise for addressing water shortages and ensuring sustainable water management practices in some of the harshest environments on Earth. Through collaborative efforts and cutting-edge technology, researchers are advancing our understanding of aquifers and working towards a more secure water future for arid regions globally.