Several samples of groundwater have been collected from Sohar (Batina region, NW Oman) which is affected by various activities such as mining, agriculture, and sewage. Waters were also collected from 2 wells at downstream of these different areas and are considered a control area. To characterize quality of groundwater, As and Cu concentrations have been investigated in waters collected from the different wells. Comparison of data with local and international standard values showed higher concentrations in Cu in the mining area. In wells sampled in sewage area Cu has not been detected while in the agriculture area, in 2 wells among the 4 sampled wells Cu concentrations exceed the standard limits. Investigation of As in the different wells revealed that As exceed the standard limits, with significant concentrations in the groundwater collected from mining area. The weak correlation between Cu and As revealed that As is not only released from the industry of Cu but from other sources. The results showed a vulnerability to degradation of quality of waters in Batina area which need a regular control.

Several samples of groundwater have been collected from Sohar (Batina region, NW Oman) which is affected by various activities such as mining, agriculture, and sewage. Waters were also collected from 2 wells at downstream of these different areas and are considered a control area. To characterize...