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Reservoir sediments: a sink or source of chemicals at the surface water-groundwater interface

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Abstract

This study delineates the physical, chemical, and biological effects resulting from anthropogenic and endogenic activities in a sensitive dammed reservoir situated in a semi-arid region. The reservoir is characterized by two major flow regimes: a wet fill hydrologic regime and a dry spill one. A seasonal sampling campaign was carried out over a period of 2 years (2011–2013) where water samples were collected across the water column and from piezometers just outside the perimeter of the reservoir. Similarly, sediments were collected from the corresponding areas beneath the water column. The water samples were analyzed for environmental isotopic ratios, elemental composition, and physical, biological and chemical parameters, whereas the sediment and algal samples were subjected to physical, mineralogical, spectroscopic, and microscopic analyses. This investigation indicated that the dam had resulted in the alteration of the biogeochemical cycle of nutrients as well as the degradation of the sediment and water quality. The hydrological and biogeochemical processes were found to induce vertical downward transport of chemicals towards the fine grained calcareous sediments during the fill mode, whereas the sediments acted as a source of a chemical flux upward through the water column and downward towards the groundwater during the spill mode. The geomorphological characteristics of the reservoir enhanced the strong hydrological connectivity between the surface water and the groundwater where the reservoir responded quickly to natural and anthropogenic changes in the upper watershed. The water and sediments in the sensitive spill mode were of poor quality and should receive more attention due to the potential hazard for the associated hydro-project and the sustainability of the agricultural soil in the long term. Thus, a safe water and sediment management plan should be implemented in order to improve the dam functionality and to safeguard the precious water resources.

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Acknowledgments

This research has been financed by research grant programs of the Lebanese University and the Lebanese Council for Scientific Research. We also acknowledge the support of Azm and Saadé Association, PCSI programs in AUF. Additional funding was provided by the Bureau of International Relations (BRIC) and the Xénophilia Funds of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). Kind appreciations are extended to the Litani River Authority staff represented by Mr. Ali Tarrif and Ms. Eliane Hayek for their help during fieldwork. We are grateful for the analytical help provided by Prof. Bruno Lartiges (Université Paul Sabatier), Prof. Frank Dehairs (VUB), and Ms. Adriana Anzil (ULB).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Platform for Research and Analysis in Environmental Sciences, Doctoral School of Science and Technology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, P.O. Box 5, Campus Rafic Hariri, Hadath-Beirut, Lebanon

    Rawaa Ammar, Véronique Kazpard, Antoine G. El Samrani, Nabil Amacha & Zeinab Saad

  2. Service de Biogéochimie et Modélisation du Système Terre Océanographie Chimique et Géochimie des Eaux, Département des Sciences de la Terre et de l’Environnement, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Campus de la Plaine CP 208, Boulevard du Triomphe, B-1050, Brussels, Belgium

    Rawaa Ammar & Lei Chou

  3. School of Engineering/Civil Engineering Department, Lebanese American University—Byblos Campus, Byblos, Lebanon

    Mahmoud Wazne

  4. Department of Water Monitoring & Environmental Studies, Litani River Authority (LRA), Bishara El Khoury Street, P.O. Box 11, Beirut, 3732, Lebanon

    Nabil Amacha

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  1. Rawaa Ammar
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  2. Véronique Kazpard
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  3. Mahmoud Wazne
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  4. Antoine G. El Samrani
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  5. Nabil Amacha
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  6. Zeinab Saad
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Correspondence to Rawaa Ammar.

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Ammar, R., Kazpard, V., Wazne, M. et al. Reservoir sediments: a sink or source of chemicals at the surface water-groundwater interface. Environ Monit Assess 187, 579 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4791-0

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