Geochemistry and pollution of shallow aquifers in the Mafraq area, North Jordan |
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Authors: | Nadir Eraifej Nizar Abu-Jaber |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Yarmouk University, Irbid 21163, Jordan e-mail: abujaber@yu.edu.jo, JO |
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Abstract: | Chemical data are used to clarify the hydrogeological regime in the Mafraq area in northern Jordan, as well as to determine
the status of water quality in the area. Groundwater from the shallow aquifer in the Mafraq area can be divided into two major
groups according to geographical locations and chemical compositions. Water in the basaltic eastern part of the study area
is characterized by the dominance of chloride, sulfate, sodium, and potassium, whereas waters in the limestone aquifers in
the west are dominated by the same cations but have higher concentrations of bicarbonate. Stable isotopes show that the shallow
aquifers contain a single water type which originated in a distinct climatic regime. This water type deviates from the Global
Meteoric Water Line (MWL), as well as from the eastern Mediterranean meteoric water line. The waters are poor in tritium,
and thus can be considered generally older than 50 years. Chemical mass balance models suggest that water is moving from the
west towards the north of the study area. This suggests that waters from the different basins are separated from each other.
Degradation of water quality can be attributed to agricultural fertilizers in most cases, although the waste-water treatment
plant at Khirbet es Samra is a contributor to pollution in the southwestern part of the study area.
Received: 20 August 1997 · Accepted: 3 February 1998 |
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Keywords: | Geochemical modelling Groundwater Hydrochemistry Jordan Pollution |
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