God's Blessings – Bad Water Line
The Edward Aquifer is a unique groundwater system. It is one of the greatest natural resources on earth, serving the diverse agricultural, industrial, recreational, and domestic needs of almost two million users in south central Texas, U.S.A.
[15:19] As for the earth, we constructed it, and placed
on it stabilizers (mountains), and we grew on it a perfect balance
of everything.
[15:20] We made it habitable for you, and for creatures you
do not provide for.
[31:20] Do you not see that GOD has committed in your service everything in the heavens and the earth, and has showered you with His blessings - obvious and hidden? Yet, some people argue about GOD without knowledge, without guidance, and without the enlightening scripture.
The fresh water/saline water interface, usually known as the "bad water line" is the convergence of two flow systems within the Aquifer. It is actually a zone and not a line. The freshwater area is generally up-dip, closer to the land surface; while the saline water area is farther down-dip, deeper underground.
[27:61] Who is the One who made the earth habitable, caused rivers to run through it, placed on it mountains, and created a barrier between the two waters? Is it another god with GOD? Indeed, most of them do not know.
[45:13] He committed in your service everything in the heavens and the earth; all from Him. These are proofs for people who reflect.
[14:34] And He gives you all kinds of things that you implore Him for. If you count God's blessings, you can never encompass them. Indeed, the human being is transgressing, unappreciative.
The "bad water line" is a natural phenomenon that occurs along the southern and eastern edges of the water zone where water has been in contact with limestone for a long time. Since the rock in the saline water zone is less permeable and does not transmit water as easily, the movement of water is slower.
[16:18] If you count God's blessings, you cannot possibly encompass them. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
Scientists discovered that in the places where two different seas meet, there is a barrier between them. This barrier divides the two seas so that each sea has its own temperature, salinity and density. There is a slanted unseen water barrier between the two seas through which water from one sea passes to the other.
[55:19] He separates the two seas where
they meet.
[55:20] A barrier is placed between them, to prevent them from
transgressing.
[35:3] O people, remember God's blessings upon you. Is there any creator other than GOD who provides for you from the heaven and the earth? There is no other god beside Him. How could you deviate?
Scientist also discovered that in estuaries, where sweet and salt water meet, the situation is somewhat different from that found in places where two seas meet. It has been discovered that what distinguishes fresh water from salt water in estuaries is a pycnocline zone with a marked density discontinuity separating the two layers. This partition has salinity different from both the fresh water and salt water.
[35:12] The two seas are not the same; one is fresh and delicious, while the other is salty and undrinkable. From each of them you eat tender meat, and extract jewelry to wear. And you see the ships sailing through them, seeking His provisions, that you may be appreciative.
[16:14] And He committed the sea to serve you; you eat from it tender meat, and extract jewelry which you wear. And you see the ships roaming it for your commercial benefits, as you seek His bounties, that you may be appreciative.
The Baltic Sea is a relatively shallow inland sea surrounded by the countries of Northeastern Europe and Scandinavia. A total of nine countries border the sea: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, and Sweden
[6:59] With Him are the keys to all secrets; none knows them except He. He knows everything on land and in the sea. Not a leaf falls without His knowledge. Nor is there a grain in the depths of the soil. Nor is there anything wet or dry, that is not recorded in a profound record.
The Baltic Sea is connected to the North Sea through narrow and shallow sounds between Denmark and Sweden. The outlet consists of a series of basins separated by shallow sills which obstruct efficient water exchange.
[31:27] If all the trees on earth were made into pens, and the ocean supplied the ink, augmented by seven more oceans, the words of GOD would not run out. GOD is Almighty, Most Wise.
The environmental conditions of the Baltic Sea are defined by the fresh water input from rivers and precipitation, and by the limited inflow of more saline water from the North Sea. A clear salinity gradient exists from the almost oceanic conditions in the northern Kattegart to the almost fresh water condition in the Northern Bosnian Bay.
[25:53] He is the One who merges the two seas; one is fresh and palatable, while the other is salty and undrinkable. And He separated them with a formidable, inviolable barrier (evaporation).
[56:68] Have you noted the water you drink?
[56:69] Did you send it down from the clouds, or did we?
[56:70] If we will, we can make it salty. You should be thankful.
A salinity barrier also exists between the surface to the seabed of the Baltic. Saline water, naturally heavier than fresh water, flows along the bottom of the sea. The fresh water on the surface of the sea does not mix appreciatively with the saline water underneath. The salinity barriers prevents the exchange of substances, i.e., oxygen, nutrients, and pollutants, between the two layers.
[67:30] Say, "What if your water sinks away, who will provide you with pure water?"
[2:22] The One who made the earth habitable for you, and the sky a structure. He sends down from the sky water, to produce all kinds of fruits for your sustenance. You shall not set up idols to rival GOD, now that you know.
The Quran educates us to reflect on the creations of God so that we can reinforce our appreciation to the Merciful Lord.
[2:164] In the creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of night and day, the ships that roam the ocean for the benefit of the people, the water that GOD sends down from the sky to revive dead land and to spread in it all kinds of creatures, the manipulation of the winds, and the clouds that are placed between the sky and the earth, there are sufficient proofs for people who understand.
[15:19] As for the earth, we constructed it, and placed
on it stabilizers (mountains), and we grew on it a perfect balance of everything.
[15:20] We made it habitable for you, and for creatures you do not provide for.
Sadly, majority of human beings are unappreciative of God (2:243, 7:17, 10:60, 12:38, 27:73, 40:61)
[17:67] If you are afflicted in the middle of the sea, you forget your idols and sincerely implore Him alone. But as soon as He saves you to the shore, you revert. Indeed, the human being is unappreciative.
References:
1. www.edwardsaquifer.net
2. www.envir.ee/baltics/
3. Principles of Oceanography by Davis
4. Oceanography by Gross
5. Quran - translated by Rashad Khalifa,
Ph.D.