Mapping potential shallow groundwater in the Gobi Desert using remote sensing: Lake Ulaan Nuur

•We use remote sensing to assess potential shallow water in Mongolian drylands.•SRTM and PALSAR data identifies palaeochannels and palaeoshorelines in the Gobi.•Data indicates Lake Ulaan Nuur, Mongolia as a potential water site.•Findings suggest remote sensing may define untapped shallow groundwater in drylands.

Access to water resources in desert environments is an endemic challenge in developing countries. Shallow water is an essential resource for rural communities and has become significant source for urban centres, agriculture and mining. In the past conventional methodologies were used in the search for water; today advanced remote sensing from space offer new techniques to identify and define potential untapped groundwater in drylands. This research investigates a potential major water resource in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia. Using remote sensing from space we integrated topography, radar images and optical images into GIS tools to investigate and identify potential shallow water correlated to large palaeolakes. This work integrates the palaeoclimatic history of southern Mongolia with present water circumstances in the region. Findings indicated Lake Ulaan Nuur as a promising site for hydro-geological testing and water resource prospecting as measurement suggests a past lake area of >19,000 km2 in the Mongolian Gobi.