Sources of Water Salinities in the Jordan Valley Area/Jordan

Abstract

Due to its history, development of its hydrologic regime, recharge-discharge mechanisms, geologic formations, and development of its hydrodynamic pattern, the groundwater resources of the Jordan Valley show a very wide range of chemistries. In this paper the groundwater hydrochemistries are studied along profiles extending N-S along the Jordan Valley escarpment and the Jordan Valley itself and along profiles extending from the eastern escarpment to the Jordan River. Hydrochemical end members are identified and the sources of water salinization are defined. It was found that the evaporites within the Jurassic and Triassic rocks are the main contributors to the salinization of groundwater entering the Jordan Valley laterally, from its eastern side, and that the deposits of the ancestors of the Dead Sea; the Lisan Lake (Lisan deposits) are the main contributors to water salinities within the Jordan Valley itself. The Jurassic and Triassic evaporites contribute with NaCI and CaSO 4 salts to the groundwater. Whereas, the Lisan deposits contribute with NaCI, CaSO 4 and moderately, in a few localities with Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ chlorides.