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  • Save Every Drop: Kuwait Uses Isotope Hydrology to Track and Conserve Ground Water

    Due to its arid climate and high temperatures, conserving and preserving water resources is vital for Kuwait and its growing population. The use of isotopic techniques, with the support of the IAEA, helps local authorities plan sustainable water use.
    Fresh groundwater samples collected by the Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) from the North Kuwait aquifer for isotopic analyses. (Photo: KISR)
    Water samples are prepared in the laboratory for carbon-14 isotope analysis. (Photo: KISR)
    Ground water samples in plastic vials of an auto sampler. This device automatically injects the samples into the machine for analysis. Most of the ground water in Kuwait is non-potable, but in the northern part of the country there is a pocket of freshwater source which can be used as drinking water. This fresh water is only used for bottling and is also kept as a strategic reserve for emergencies.
    The burette system calibrated to deliver specific volume measurements of water samples is used for investigation in a controlled environment.
    An ion chromatograph for analyzing major ions in water (e.g. Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++, SO4--, Cl-, NO3-) as well as its ammonium content. These results will enable KISR scientists to understand the quality of the water samples and their concentrations.
    An IAEA provided gamma spectrometer with heavy lead shield to help KISR scientists analyze gamma emitting radionuclides in ground water samples for hydrogeological investigations.
    An isotope ratio mass spectrometer which helps to analyze isotopes of Carbon 13, Sulphur 34, Nitrogen 15, Oxygen 18, and Deuterium in groundwater.
    Analyzing water samples for nitrogen content using a Kjeldahl Nitrogen Analyzer in order to know the concentration of organic nitrogen in water samples for water pollution investigations. These samples will also be tested for trace metals, major ions, nutrients and isotopes. This process helps researchers in their groundwater investigation studies.
    Bacteria analyses of water are also conducted at KISR. Here a scientist is working with an incubator that is used to prepare water samples for bacteria analysis.
    Positive and negative tests for sulphate reducing bacteria in water samples. Bacteria in water indicates pollutants from various sources such as septic tanks, deep wells and brackish water. Ensuring drinking water is clear of any harmful bacteria is vital to prevent potentially critical health threats. <br /><br /> Brackish water is water that has more salt than freshwater. It can be the result of mixing seawater with fresh water, as in estuaries, or it may occur in fossil aquifers.
    Radium delayed coincidence counter used for analyzing Radium223 and Radium224 isotopes as part of a submarine groundwater discharge study in Kuwait.
    Analyzing laboratory test results.
    Bottled water, the result of intense water management techniques to have well water treated to drinking levels. The advanced techniques used include using specialized membranes to produce fresh water.
    Mohammad Al -Rashed, Executive Director of the Water Research Center (right) in the Kuwait with senior colleagues and bottled water developed at KISR.
    "Being at the forefront of applied R&D addressing key issues of significance to national socio-economic development, we strongly believe nuclear science and technology have a great potential to contribute to sustainable development and in serving basic human needs, in areas such as human health, agriculture, water management and industrial applications, as well as in energy and also, importantly, in environmental protection, both marine and terrestrial," said Samira A. S. Omar KISR Director General.
    <br> Captions: Aabha Dixit, IAEA Office of Public Information </br> <br> Photos: Dean Calma, IAEA Office of Public Information and Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR) </br>

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    Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications Department of Technical Cooperation Nuclear science Technical cooperation programme Laboratory services Stable isotopes Isotopes Nuclear technology and applications Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences Isotope Hydrology Section Soil and Water Management and Crop Nutrition Section Water Water quality Water availability Groundwater Water resource management

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