Hydrochemical characteristics of the major water springs in the Yarmouk Basin, north Jordan

The water quality of major springs in the Yar-mouk Basin (north Jordan) experienced degra-dation due to rapid urbanization and industri-alization. In order to check their suitability for irrigation, drinking and industrial purposes, a research work was conducted to assess the degree of ionic toxicity in these water sources. Thirty-six water samples were analyzed for dif-ferent elements of dominant cations and anions such as Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe, and HCO3 together with other minor ions P, B, NO3, SO4, and Cl. To classify water quality, parameters such as so-dium adsorption ratio (SAR), soluble sodium percentage (SSP) and residual sodium carbon-ate (RSC) were calculated. Concentrations of major cations and anions are low compared to their permissible levels in potable water. The total dissolved solids is 617 mg/l or below, which indicates the presence of fresh water. The fresh water condition is also verified by low to mod-erate electrical conductivity (347-1234 ?S/cm) and lower than 8.09 pH values. The concentra-tion of total iron (0.0-0.09 mg/l) falls below the maximum permissible limit of 1 mg/l. The low SAR (0.5 to 1.34) coupled with low electrical conductivity, gives the water medium salinity hazard and low sodium hazard. Thus, the water is general of suitable chemical quality for do-mestic, agricultural and most industrial uses.

Assessment of water resources in Yarmouk River Basin using geospatial technique during the period 1980–2020

It is common knowledge that Yarmouk River Basin(YRB)is shared between Jordan and Syria.Management of YRB trans-boundary water resources is attracting increasing interest because it is a strategic water resource for the riparian countries.Actually,lack of sharing information regarding hydrological flows and basin’s water management between partners’countries makes it difficult to distinguish between natural and man-made factors affecting the water body.Therefore,this study seeks to address and assess the main on-site changes that exert on YRB.Geospatial technique and arithmetic equations were combined to carry out an assessment of the changes on water resources in YRB.Data,information and field measurements of the basin were aggregated,compiled and presented to determine the extent of changes during the period 1980-2020.Remarkable findings showed that precipitation amount in the basin significantly declined during the period 1980-2020 in particularly after the year 1992.Pumping rate of groundwater was 550 x 103 m3/a,exceeding the basin’s safe yield.Draw down of static groundwater level over time approached the value of-3.2 m/a due to the over abstraction in the aquifer body.Additionally,the evaporation rate reached more than 99%in some regions in the basin.Moreover,the number of private wells has increased from 98 wells in 1980 to 126 wells in 2020,showing the excessive extraction of groundwater.These findings indicate that the study area is subjected to a considerable groundwater depletion in the near future due to extensive abstraction,continuous drilling of illegal wells and decreased annual precipitation under the shadow of the rapid population growth and continuous influx of refugees.Therefore,decision makers-informed scenarios are suggested in the development of water resource portfolios,which involves the combination of management and infrastructural actions that enhance the water productivity of the basin.Further studies are recommended to evaluate the on-site changes on water resources in YRB in collaboration with riparian countries and to establish monitoring system for continuous and accurate measurements of the basin.