Changes in quality of groundwater with seasonal fluctuations: an example from Ghor Sari area, southern Dead Sea coastal aquifers, Jordan

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Batayneh, Awni T. | Qassas, Hani A.

Affiliations: Geophysics Division, Natural Resources Authority, P.O. Box 7, Amman, Jordan | Energy and Water Department, Arab Potash Company, Ghor Safi, Jordan

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: The demand for water resources in the area south of the Dead Sea due to continued development, especially at the Arab Potash Company (APC) for production and domestic purposes necessitates that water quality in the area be monitored and evaluated based on the local geology and hydrogeology. The objective of this paper is to monitor seasonal fluctuations of groundwater and to determine how fluctuation in the water levels will affect the groundwater quality. Groundwater levels were found to be influenced by rainfall and pumping of water from the wells for domestic and industrial use. Twenty water samples were collected from different wells and analyzed for major chemical constituents both in pre- and post-seasons to determine the quality variation. Chemical constituents are significantly increased after post-season recharge. According to the overall assessment of the area, water quality was found to be useful for drinking, irrigation and industry.

Keywords: water level fluctuations, seasonal variations, quality, Dead Sea coastal aquifers, Jordan

Journal: Journal of Environmental Sciences, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 263-269, 2006