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Quantifying ground water inputs along the Lower Jordan River.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Holtzman, R; Shavit, U; Segal-Rozenhaimer, M; Gavrieli, I; Marei, A; Farber, E; Vengosh, A
Published in: Journal of environmental quality
May 2005

The flow rate of the Lower Jordan River has changed dramatically during the second half of the 20th century. The diversion of its major natural sources reduced its flow rate and led to drying events during the drought years of 2000 and 2001. Under these conditions of low flow rates, the potential influence of external sources on the river discharge and chemical composition became significant. Our measurements show that the concentrations of chloride, calcium, and sodium in the river water decrease along the first 20-km section, while sulfate and magnesium concentrations increase. These variations were addressed by a recent geochemical study, suggesting that ground water inflow plays a major role. To further examine the role of ground water, we applied mass-balance calculations, using detailed flow rate measurements, water samplings, and chemical analyses along the northern (upstream) part of the river. Our flow-rate measurements showed that the river base-flow during 2000 and 2001 was 500 to 1100 L s(-1), which is about 40 times lower than the historical flow rates. Our measurements and calculations indicate that ground water input was 20 to 80% of the river water flow, and 20 to 50% of its solute mass flow. This study independently identifies the composition of possible end-members. These end-members contain high sulfate concentration and have similar chemical characteristics as were found in agricultural drains and in the "saline" Yarmouk River. Future regional development plans that include the river flow rate and chemistry should consider the interactions between the river and its shallow ground water system.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of environmental quality

DOI

EISSN

1537-2537

ISSN

0047-2425

Publication Date

May 2005

Volume

34

Issue

3

Start / End Page

897 / 906

Related Subject Headings

  • Water Supply
  • Water Movements
  • Water
  • Soil
  • Rivers
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Middle East
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Agronomy & Agriculture
  • 41 Environmental sciences
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Holtzman, R., Shavit, U., Segal-Rozenhaimer, M., Gavrieli, I., Marei, A., Farber, E., & Vengosh, A. (2005). Quantifying ground water inputs along the Lower Jordan River. Journal of Environmental Quality, 34(3), 897–906. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2004.0244
Holtzman, Ran, Uri Shavit, Michal Segal-Rozenhaimer, Ittai Gavrieli, Amer Marei, Efrat Farber, and Avner Vengosh. “Quantifying ground water inputs along the Lower Jordan River.Journal of Environmental Quality 34, no. 3 (May 2005): 897–906. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2004.0244.
Holtzman R, Shavit U, Segal-Rozenhaimer M, Gavrieli I, Marei A, Farber E, et al. Quantifying ground water inputs along the Lower Jordan River. Journal of environmental quality. 2005 May;34(3):897–906.
Holtzman, Ran, et al. “Quantifying ground water inputs along the Lower Jordan River.Journal of Environmental Quality, vol. 34, no. 3, May 2005, pp. 897–906. Epmc, doi:10.2134/jeq2004.0244.
Holtzman R, Shavit U, Segal-Rozenhaimer M, Gavrieli I, Marei A, Farber E, Vengosh A. Quantifying ground water inputs along the Lower Jordan River. Journal of environmental quality. 2005 May;34(3):897–906.

Published In

Journal of environmental quality

DOI

EISSN

1537-2537

ISSN

0047-2425

Publication Date

May 2005

Volume

34

Issue

3

Start / End Page

897 / 906

Related Subject Headings

  • Water Supply
  • Water Movements
  • Water
  • Soil
  • Rivers
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Middle East
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Agronomy & Agriculture
  • 41 Environmental sciences