Impact of Syrian refugee camp on water, air and soil quality at Zaatari refugee camp/Jordan

Abstract

Evaluation of the environmental situation inside Zaatarirefugee camp in terms of water, soil and air was done through classic monitoring as well as by the use of new technique (biofilm) to monitor heavy metal pollution in sewage system at Zaatari camp was done. Major ionic composition was determined for surface runoff, groundwater and wastewater whereas six heavy metals Zn, Mn, Cd, Cr, Cu and Pbwere evaluated for all samples. It was found that salinity of surface runoff decreased with rain events that the highest concentration was found at the beginning of the rainy season where the lowest was found at the end of the season.The salinity of wastewater was related to population density within the camp as it was highest in the oldest part of the camp where high population density exist and the lowest was in the new part of the camp with low population density. Heavy metal concentration in groundwater was low indicating that pollution from the refugee camp did not reach the groundwater resources of the area. All biofilm sampling of the same of wastewater samplingsites was done and it was found to be more efficient in wastewater monitoring as it represent longer period of monitoring than traditional method.For heavy metals concentration in the upper soil showed much higher concentration than lower soil indicating that the source of heavy metals are from the activities within the camp. For air concentration of all heavy metals were very low indicating that there is no source of heavy metals pollution in the area as the camp is located in a desert area and relatively far from major cities.