Hydrochemical Analyses and Evaluation of Groundwater Resources of North Jordan

Abstract

The hydrochemical analyses of twenty-three springs were used to determine the properties and types of groundwater of the Tertiary-Quaternary Aquifer of northern Jordan. The result shows that the geological formation influences the quality of the investigated groundwater more than the anthropogenic factors. The water of the Quaternary-Tertiary aquifer is enriched in Ca++ due to the dissolution of the nearby carbonate rocks. The investigated water has a low EC values with Ca(Na)-HCO3 water type. Most springs belong to this hydrochemical facies except Malka. Groundwater in the Malka wells has high salinity with NaCl waters and a strong Ca(Mg)-HCO3 facies (900 to 1000 mg/l TDS). The area long-term hydrochemical data have been also evaluated; general trend of increase of the analyzed ion was observed. Bicarbonate represents the most abundant anion in the studied water, which exceeds the permissible limits. Nitrates (NO 3 − ) also exceed the permissible limit and are the most common contaminant in the investigated water. Data on dissolved major and trace elements (K+, Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cl−, SO 4 2− , Fe, Zn, Cu and Pb) in the investigated water revealed that the concentrations lie within the natural background range. The positive correlation values between various ions indicate that most of ions come from same lithological sources. According to the residual sodium carbonate, and EC values, the studied springs are suitable for agricultural purposes.