Geochemistry and quality of groundwater of the Yarmouk basin aquifer, north Jordan

Abstract

Quality of groundwater in the Yarmouk basin, Jordan has been assessed through the study of hydrogeochemical characteristics and the water chemistry as it is considered the main source for drinking and agriculture activities in the region. The results of the relationship between Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺ versus HCO₃⁻ + CO₃²⁻, Ca²⁺ + Mg²⁺ versus total cations, Na⁺ + K⁺ versus total cations, Cl⁻ + SO₄²⁻ versus Na⁺ + K⁺, Na⁺ versus Cl⁻, Na⁺ versus HCO₃⁻ + CO₃²⁻, Na⁺ versus Ca²⁺, and Na⁺: Cl⁻ versus EC describe the mineral dissolution mechanism through the strong relationship between water with rocks in alkaline conditions with the release of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, HCO₃⁻, CO₃²⁻, SO₄²⁻, and F⁻ ions in the groundwater for enrichment. Furthermore, evaporation processes, groundwater depletion, and ion exchange contribute to the increased concentration of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions in groundwater. Anthropogenic sources are one of the main reasons for contamination of groundwater in the study area and for increasing the concentration of Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, and NO₃⁻ ions. Results show the quality of groundwater in the study area is categorized as follows: HCO₃⁻ + CO₃²⁻ > Cl⁻ > SO₄²⁻ > NO₃⁻ > F⁻ and Na⁺ > Ca²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > K⁺. In conclusion, the results of TDS, TH, and chemical composition showed that 26% of the groundwater samples were unsuitable for drinking. About 28% of groundwater samples in the study area have a high concentration of Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and NO₃⁻ above the acceptable limit. Also, based on high SAR, 10% of the groundwater samples were not suitable for irrigation purposes.

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