Skip to main content
Log in

Recharge mechanism and hydrochemistry evaluation of groundwater in the Nuaimeh area, Jordan, using environmental isotope techniques

Hydrogeology Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The relationship between the stable isotopic and chemical composition of precipitation and groundwater was studied in the Nuaimeh area of the Ajloun Highlands in Jordan. The isotopic composition values of precipitation and groundwater are almost identical. The spatial variation of stable isotopes in precipitation is mainly due to the effect of seasonal temperature, altitude and amount. The groundwater reveals identical variation in isotopic composition to the precipitation due to direct recharge and the karstic nature of the outcropping Turonian aquifer. Tritium levels in wells are high and their content is similar to the weighted mean value of tritium content in precipitation, indicating local recharge and low residence time. The 14C activity in the tritiated groundwater is found to be about half of the 14C activity of precipitation in the region. A geochemical evolution through dissolution of carbonate by water–carbonate rock interactions reduced the atmospheric 14C activity from 114 to 61 pmc in the groundwater. A 14C of around 61 pmc and 7.6 TU values are considered the initial concentration for the recharge in the shallow carbonate aquifer in the Yarmouk Basin. The large fluctuation of water level in observation wells during the rainy season indicates the sensitivity and direct response of the aquifer to the recharge. The chemical composition of the groundwater (Ca2+–HCO3) gives emphasis to the short duration of water–rock interaction and indicates dissolution of the carbonate aquifer. The elevated concentrations of Cl and NO3 in groundwater are attributed to anthropogenic sources.

Résumé

Dans la région montagneuse d’Ajloun de Jordanie on a étudié la relation entre la composition chimique et isotopique des précipitations et des eaux souterraines. La composition isotopique est presque identique dans précipitations et les eaux souterraines. La variation spatiale de la teneur en isotopes stables dans les précipitations est déterminée en principal par les variations saisonnière de la température, l’altitude ainsi que par la quantité des précipitations. A cause de la recharge directe et de la nature karstique des affleurements de l’aquifère d’age touronienne, les eaux souterraines présentent la même composition isotopique que les précipitations. La teneur en 3H mesurée dans les forages présente des valeurs élevées, proches de la valeur moyenne des précipitations, ce qu’indique une recharge locale et un temps court de résidence. On a déterminé pour l’activité de 14C une valeur proche de la moitié trouvée dans les précipitations. L’évolution géochimique par dissolution des carbonates pendant l’interaction entre l’eau et les roche a diminué l’activité du 14C, de la valeur de 114 pcm en atmosphère à 61 pcm dans les eaux souterraines. Dans l’aquifère calcaire de surface de bassin Yarmouk, on a considéré comme de concentrations initiales, les valeurs de 61 pcm pour 14C et 7.2 UT pour 3H. Les grandes fluctuations des niveaux des eaux souterraines observées dans les forages pendant les saisons pluvieux montrent la sensibilité ainsi que la réponse directe de l’aquifère au recharge. La composition chimique des eaux souterraines (Ca2+–HCO3) montre de plus le temps court de l’interaction entre l’eau et la roche, en indiquant aussi la dissolution de l’aquifère calcaire. Les taux élevées de la concentration en Cl et NO3 dans les eaux souterraines ont été attribuées aux sources humaines.

Resumen

Fue estudiada la relación entre la composición isotópica estable y la composición química, tanto de la precipitación como del agua subterránea, en el área de Nuaimeh en las montañas de Ajloun, en Jordania. Los valores de la composición isotópica de la precipitación y del agua subterránea son casi idénticos. La variación espacial de los isótopos estables en la precipitación, es debida principalmente al efecto de la temperatura estacional, a la altura y a la cantidad. El agua subterránea muestra una variación idéntica a la precipitación en cuanto a la composición isotópica, debido a la recarga directa y a la naturaleza cársica del acuífero Turoniano aflorante. Los niveles de tritio en los pozos son altos y su contenido es similar al valor medio ponderado del contenido de tritio en la precipitación, indicando una recarga local y un tiempo de residencia corto. Se ha encontrado que la actividad de 14C en el agua subterránea tritiada, es alrededor de la mitad de la actividad del 14C en la precipitación para la región. La evolución geoquímica ocurrida a partir de la disolución del carbonato, por las interacciones roca carbonatada–agua, redujeron la actividad atmosférica del 14C desde 114 en porcentaje de carbono moderno (pcm) hasta 61 pcm en el agua subterránea. Los valores del 14C cercanos a 61 pcm y de 7.6 unidades de tritio, se han considerado como las concentraciones originales para la recarga en el acuífero carbonatado somero de la Cuenca de Yarmouk. Una gran fluctuación en el nivel de agua de los pozos de observación, durante la estación lluviosa, indica la sensibilidad y la respuesta directa del acuífero frente a la recarga. La composición química del agua subterránea (Ca2+–HCO3), enfatiza en la corta duración de la interacción de agua–roca, e indica disolución del acuífero carbonatado. La concentración elevada de Cl y NO3 en el agua subterránea, se atribuye a fuentes antropogénicas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abu-Ajamieh MM, Bender FK, Eicher RN (1988) Natural resources in Jordan. Inventory-Evaluation-Development Program, Natural Resources Authority (NRA), Amman, Jordan, 224 pp

  • Bajjali W (1990) Isotopic and hydrochemical characteristics of precipitation in Jordan. MSc Thesis, Jordan University, Amman, Jordan, 99 pp

  • Bajjali W (1994) Recharge and regional circulation of thermal groundwater in northern Jordan using isotope geochemistry. PhD Thesis, University of Ottawa, Canada, 257 pp

  • Bajjali W (1999) Study the groundwater in Bani Kharous and Al Fara catchment areas using environmental isotope in GIS environment. Tech Rep Ministry of Water Resources, Sultanate of Oman, 23 pp

  • Bajjali W, Clark I, Fritz P (1997) The artesian thermal groundwaters of northern Jordan: insights into their recharge history and age. J Hydrol 192:355–382

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carmi I, Gat JR (1973) Tritium in precipitation and fresh water sources in Israel. Israel J Earth Sci 22:71–92

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Craig H (1961) Isotopic variations in meteoric waters. Science 133:1702–1703

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dansgaard W (1964) Stable isotope in precipitation. Tellus 216:436–468

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Naser H, Ayed R, Al-Momani M (1992) Effect of 1991/1992 rainfall on the groundwater Recharge of Yarmouk and Wadi Al Arab Basins. Internal Rep WAJ, Amman, Jordan, 28 pp

  • Eriksson E (1967) Isotope in hydrometeorology. In: Proc IAEA Conf Isotopes in Hydrology, IAEA, Vienna, pp 21–33

  • Gat JR, Carmi L (1970) Evolution of the isotopic composition of atmospheric waters in the Mediterranean Sea area. J Geophys Res 75:3039–3048

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gat JR, Dansgaard W (1972) Stable isotope survey of the fresh water occurrences in Israel and the Northern Jordan Rift Valley. J Hydrol 16:177–212

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Houston J (1987) Groundwater recharge assessment. Water Resources Res 3:99–102

    Google Scholar 

  • Joudeh O (1983) Evaluation of the groundwater resources in the Deep Aquifer. Internal Rep Water Authority of Jordan, Amman, Jordan, 37 pp

  • Kharaka Y, Mariner RH (1989) Chemical geothermometers and their application to formation waters from sedimentary basins. In: Naeser ND, McCulloh TH (eds) Thermal history of sedimentary basins, methods and case histories. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York

  • Kroitoru I, Carmi I, Mazor E (1989) Groundwater 14C activity as affected by initial water-rock interaction in the Judean Mountains, Israel. Chem Geol 79:259–274

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Water and Irrigation and UN Development Programme (1992) Water Resources Policies, Planning and Management Project. Groundwater Resources Jor/87/003, Amman, Jordan

  • NJWRIPS (1989) Yarmouk Basin, water resources Study. Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ), Amman, Jordan, 222 pp

  • Parker DH (1969) Investigation of the sandstone aquifer of East Jordan. The hydrogeology of the Mesozoic-Cainozoic of the western highland and plateau of East Jordan. United Nations AGL/SF/JOR9 Tech Rep 2, 278 pp

  • Todd DK (1976) Ground water hydrology, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York

  • Yurtsever Y, Gat JR (1981) Atmospheric waters. Stable isotopes hydrology, deuterium and oxygen-18 in the water cycle. IAEA, Vienna, Tech Rep Ser no 210

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to William Bajjali.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bajjali, W. Recharge mechanism and hydrochemistry evaluation of groundwater in the Nuaimeh area, Jordan, using environmental isotope techniques. Hydrogeol J 14, 180–191 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-004-0352-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-004-0352-2

Keywords

Navigation