Geochemistry of the Ground Water in the Sinkhole Area at Ghor El Haditha, Southeast Dead Sea, Jordan

Twenty water geochemical samples collected from the sinkhole, spring at Ghor Al Haditha area and from the upstream running in Wadi Ibin Hammad area. The samples analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) to determine their major cation (Na, K, Mg, Ca,), and anion (HCO3, Cl, SO4) and TDS. The results of the analyses water samples shows high concentration of all the elements for the samples spring after the sinkhole area at along eastern shoreline of the Dead Sea caver the study area, TDS range between 3170 to 419519 mg/l. The samples sinkhole shows high concentration of major cation and anion elements, TDS range between 4844 to 31275mg/l. The high concentration of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Cl, HCO3, SO4, and TDS as a result to dissolve the salt, evaporate halite and gypsum layers under the sinkhole area, and the sinkhole body as indication to the sinkhole sudden within dissolved the salt. It is reflects the motion and movement of the ground water by affected the decline the Dead Sea Level at the last 30 years ago. Keywords:  Geochemistry, Groundwater, Sinkhole, Ghor Al Haditha, Jordan.

Assessment of the Heavy Metal Pollution in the Surface Sediments along Upstream at Wadi Al-Arab, Jordan

Twenty stream sediment samples collected from Wadi Al-Arab study area. These samples extracted and analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) to determine their heavy metal for Cu, Zn, Cd, Mn, Fe and Pb concentrations. Calciometry method used to identify the CO3-2 content and loss on ignition (L.O.I) at 550 °C used to determine the total organic matter (TOM). The results of the analyses of Wadi Al Arab sediments showed that concentrations of Mn, Cu, Pb, and Fe are safe and these elements are practically unchanged by anthropogenic influences, while the concentration of Zn and Cd exceeded the average shale value. The elevated concentration of Cd and Zn can be due to anthropogenic sources, including fertilizers and pesticides used in agricultural activities, effluent of the treatment plant, and natural weathering of surrounding geological formations. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) analysis indicated that Wadi Al Arab is facing probable environmental pollution especially with dangerous heavy metals (Zn and Cd) which result from increased rate of non-treated wastewater, which discharged to Wadi Al Arab stream. The results of Enrichment Factor (EF) showed high concentrations of Zn and Cd in the study area; these high concentrations in the study area derived from anthropogenic sources including; fertilizers and pesticides used in agricultural activities and the effluent of the close treatment plant. In addition, natural weathering of the surrounding rock formations considered as an additional source of heavy metals to the sediments. Keywords: Heavy metal, Pollution, Assessment, Sediments, Wadi Al-Arab, Jorda