Detection of waterborne pathogens in drinking water via rapid DNA amplification assays is an impo... more Detection of waterborne pathogens in drinking water via rapid DNA amplification assays is an important and crucial public health method. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of waterborne pathogens in groundwater resources in Al Arroub, Tulkarem and Jericho areas using direct PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis. Forty-six groundwater samples were collected. The total DNA was extracted from each sample and subjected to PCR analysis directed to specific genes of enteric bacteria, β-lactamases producing bacteria, L. pneumophila (Legionella pneumophila) and H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori). Enteric bacteria were detected with high frequency in Palestinian water sources followed by 13% occurrence of β-lactamases producing bacteria, 9% of H. pylori and 4% of L. pneumophila. The study shows that shallow groundwater wells and water taped from karstic aquifer is potential for contamination and could not be reliable sources of potable water.
Arid to semi-arid conditions that generally promote water scarcity are common in many regions in ... more Arid to semi-arid conditions that generally promote water scarcity are common in many regions in the Near East. Moreover, various places in that geographic domain are affected by groundwater salinization. This challenge is also shared by the Jericho area, located on the western side of the lower Jordan Valley, about ten kilometres NW of the Dead Sea. Due to a unique hydrogeological situation in this area, the discrimination of the hydrochemical signatures of the possible sources of salinization are fuzzy. Part of the potentially salt bearing aquifer material was deposited by the high saline Pleistocene precursor of the Dead Sea, the Lake Lisan, and thus resembles the signature of known residual brines of the former lake. Brine occurrences at other locations in the area usually are connected to the western boundary fault, which is a structural element of the Dead Sea Transform system. From the study of the helium and neon noble gas isotope composition of samples from saline wells and springs at the northwestern Dead Sea shore as well as from six Jericho agricultural wells there is evidence that admixing brines are supposedly not the only source of salinization in the study area. Indeed it is shown that the highest helium excess concentrations are related to the vicinity of the border fault, where moderate salinities are already present. Wells not too far in the E of the study area but in close vicinity to Wadi Qilt produce groundwater with a noble gas composition typical for air-equilibrated surface water. This reflects significant volumes of infiltration in the rainy season due to the mountain discharge, that is mainly derived from springs in the upstream area of Wadi Qilt as well as run off. An intermediate position between the first two groups is demonstrated by the most saline groundwaters, which are found remote from the border fault in the E of the study area. This is interpreted as evidence for additional non-brine salinization input probably from the surrounding sediments of the Lisan Formation.
ABSTRACT Throughout the last century, water legislation in Palestine has reflected the political ... more ABSTRACT Throughout the last century, water legislation in Palestine has reflected the political agenda of the governing regime. During the Ottoman Era water resources were considered private property, in the form of ground water wells, springs and the utility of surface water, and these regulations are still valid. Legislation during the British Mandate period can be divided into two levels, the regulation level (licensing, taxation), which was under the control of the high commissar, and the level of the local management, which included the allocation of water resources, distribution and pricing under municipal control. During the Jordanian period, water legislation was issued to improve domestic and agricultural sectors in the West Bank; in addition, governmental water institutions were established in order to control and sustain water resources. Finally, Israeli military orders since 1967 have aimed to control the allocation, development and use of water resources in Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). These Israeli orders have been especially aimed at limiting the use of water for agricultural purposes in the OP. These orders have indirectly given Mekorot, the Israeli semi-governmental company, the right to explore, distribute and develop water resources in the OP solely for the advantage of Israel and the Jewish settlers.
ABSTRACT Al Uja area locates in the Lower Jordan Valley/West Bank at 250 m below sea level. The a... more ABSTRACT Al Uja area locates in the Lower Jordan Valley/West Bank at 250 m below sea level. The availability of ground water, fertile soil, and warm climate during winter months make it remarkable for its agricultural activities where 600 hectares are under irrigation. Al Uja karstic spring that drain water from the Mountain carbonate aquifer system with a discharge rate between 0.5 and 8 MCM/a , and nine groundwater boreholes that tape water from the shallow Plio-Plistocene aquifer system, with an annual abstraction of 3.5 MCM are the water sources. The south-north fault system of the Jordan Rift Valley separates the two aquifer system. The shallow aquifer system locates to the east of the fault, where the Mountain aquifer system locates to the west. The Mountain aquifer consists of high fractured and karstified limestone and dolomite of Upper Cretaceous age, and the shallow aquifer system consists of gravel, sand, silt, and clay layers of the Dead Sea group. Groundwater recharge of the Mountain aquifer system takes place in the highland area in the West with an annual precipitation of about 550 mm. Formations of the shallow aquifer system crop out in the Jordan Valley where rainfall does not exceed 250 mm/a . Due to the high evaporation rate, direct recharge is neglected. Only small portion of flooding water about 0.4MCM/a infiltrate through wadi Al Uja drainage system in to the Alluvial deposits to the shallow aquifer system. In the other hand, and since more than 40 years, the nine groundwater boreholes are taping about 3 MCM/a, water table decline of about 5 m. Currently, water table locates between -290 m in the west and decrease to - 311 m in the east. Groundwater flows from the Mountain aquifer in the west to the Shallow aquifer in the east through the major fault system. The permeability of the Mountain carbonate layers is 2.49E-1 m/min and decrease to 1.6 E-2 m/min in the layers of the Shallow aquifer system, this decrease of Kf-value east wards cause a semi-barrier for groundwater flow regime, also water salinity increase from 1500 µS/cm in Mountain aquifer to 3000 few hundred m to the east of the fault and rise to 6000 µS/cm in the eastern part. The groundwater flows east wards through a corridor of 1500 meter length along the fault system.
The rise in population, consecutive droughts induced from climate change, and associated increase... more The rise in population, consecutive droughts induced from climate change, and associated increased water demands in the Middle East have placed an increasing pressure on available water resources, which in turn has accelerated the rates of their depletion and contamination. In addition to desalination and recycling waste water, exploitation of non-renewable (``fossil'') groundwater has become an alternative water source. Most of the fossil groundwater in the Middle East and Northern Africa occupies confined sandstone aquifers and is typically characterized by high water quality. Recent findings have shown, however, that fossil groundwater from the Nubian Sandstone aquifers in southern Jordan and Israel has high levels of naturally occurring and carcinogenic radium isotopes that largely exceed the international drinking water standards, and poses a health risk upon long-term utilization. Here we present the results of a multi-isotope study of low-saline (TDS=250-450 mg/L) g...
An artificial recharge test site was selected in the Jeftlik area of the foot prints of the Faria... more An artificial recharge test site was selected in the Jeftlik area of the foot prints of the Faria basin, in the Upper Jordan Rift Valley. The artificial pond infiltration type of 26 meters diameter and 2.85 meters depth was used. It is a hyperbolic form of 500 cubic meters volume. The integration parameters of hydrogeological settings, hydrochemical characteristics of allocated water bodies, geophysical investigations and the potentiality of the aquifer system in the area were used for the test area selection. The test site area lies within the shallow Pleistocene aquifer of 30-50 meters saturated thickness. One groundwater well of 19 m distance and two groundwater wells of 1 km far distance were used for the system monitoring. The filled water in the test system comes from the wadi water floods brought by 1.5 km of open canal. The sub-catchment is of 3 km 2. The recharge rate within the Pleistocene aquifer was determined. This experiment is tested for the water quality type fillings of the first flushing water floods, the water flood in the middle of the winter season and the pumped water from other wells far away from the experiment.
The process of water chlorination to the water contains a considerable amount of TOC can lead to ... more The process of water chlorination to the water contains a considerable amount of TOC can lead to the figuration of some π-products that are highly harmful to human health. Among all the chlorination π-products, trihalomethanes (THMs) is exhibit highly carcinogenic activity. This study tries to identify the main factors that play a critical role in the THM formation and control its mechanisms at different stages. (WHO) usually, measure free residual chlorine values at levels less than the recommended values. The concentrations of THMs formed in the water network vary depending on the concentration of TOC in the discharged spring water, and the chlorine dose plays an important role in this process by increasing the contact time. The THM levels in the tap water of Jericho and Aqbat Jabber camp are at levels below the USEPA limit of 80µg/L, as well as the WHO limit of 100 µg/L. CHBr 3 was found to be the major contributor to the total THMs. CHCl 3 found to be the dominant sort detected ...
One of the most important pollutants that may reach the groundwater through agricultural return f... more One of the most important pollutants that may reach the groundwater through agricultural return flow combined with abuse and ignorance is pesticides. This study focuses on the examination of the concentration of three pesticides: Abamectin, Imidacloprid, and ß-Cyfluthrin, all of which have been used in large quantities in the Lower Jordan Valley (LJV) for the last three decades. Twenty five groundwater samples were collected from water boreholes where water is abstracted from two phreatic aquifer systems which are the Plio-Plistocene aquifer system in Jericho and Lower Al Jeftlik areas and the Eocene carbonate aquifer system in the Middle of Al Jeftlik. The depth of the boreholes in both aquifer system ranges between 80 and 120 m. Water samples were analyzed for Abamectin, Imidacloprid, and ß-Cyfluthrin using the HPLC-UV method. These samples represent two main agricultural locations (Jericho, and the Al Jeftlik). Of the 25 wells sampled, Abamectin was detected in 11 wells in concen...
International Symposium on Olive Irrigation and Oil Quality, 2011
... Detailed Analysis of Chemical and Physical Parameters 1. Iodine Value. ... Refractive index a... more ... Detailed Analysis of Chemical and Physical Parameters 1. Iodine Value. ... Refractive index and Fourier transform infrared spectra of virgin coconut oil and virgin olive oil. Amer. Appl. ... Tables Table 1. Summary data for olive oil quality parameters of Bet-Dagan and Assera samples. ...
ABSTRACT Jericho Oases (-258 m b.s.l) is known through the history for its fertile soil, date tre... more ABSTRACT Jericho Oases (-258 m b.s.l) is known through the history for its fertile soil, date trees, and sweet fruits. Groundwater is the only water sources for domestic and agricultural activities, where about 8 MCM/a discharge form three major springs groups, in addition to 20 MCM are taped from 45 shallow boreholes (10-180 m) in the Plio-Plistocene aquifer system. The current and future availability of groundwater of the shallow Plio-Plistocene aquifer system is the key factor for the economical development of agricultural sector, where during the last 10 years around 50 million USD are invested in this sector. Green houses agriculture, and date trees farming become the major groundwater consumers. From the hydrological point view, the study area is part of the eastern Wadi Al Quilt drainage system, where recharge take place along the mountain range in the western part of the catchment area. The shallow aquifer system consists of gravel; sand and silt inter fingering with clay layers. Chalk and chalky limestone formation of Senonian age separate the shallow aquifer from Mountain aquifer which consists of limestone, and dolomite. Both aquifer systems are part from the Eastern Basin where groundwater flows towards the Jordan River-Dead Sea basin. Direct recharge from rainfall to the shallow aquifer system is neglected due to the high evaporation rates, and only about 1 MCM/a of flooding water infiltrate into this aquifer. The hypotheses of this study is an indirect groundwater replenishment take places in certain sites along the N-S-major fault system, and groundwater flow through passages into the Plio-Plistocene aquifer systems. We tried to use pharmaceutical residuals to trace groundwater flow regimes in the Mountain and Plio-Plistocene aquifer system. Twenty eight water samples were collected during the hydrological year 2011 (in March and July) from 19 sampling sites (springs and boreholes). Few samples were collected from Al Bereh waste water treatment plant as well as from flooding water. The groundwater samples present the Mountain and the Shallow aquifer systems. The Pharmaceutical residuals were analyzed using the HPLC-ESI-MS-MS method. The result show that six pharmaceutical residuals were detected in groundwater samples from the two aquifer systems in addition to the waste water. These are Anti-Epileptic Carbamazepine, the lipid lowering agent Fenofibrate, and the X-ray contrast agents Diatrizoic acid, Iohexol, Iopromide and Iopamidol. Source of these compounds is waste water from Al Bereh Treatment plant and raw waste water from different communities. These compounds are found in springs water drain from the Mountain Aquifer as wells as in boreholes from the shallow aquifer system. The areal distribution of these compounds in groundwater extends about 4 km from wadi Al Quilt drainage system northwards to north of wadi Nueimah. The result of this study confirm the hypotheses that there is an indirect recharge from the Mountain aquifer into the shallow Plio-Plistocene aquifer system in Jericho area. It is expected that S-N- major fault system, and the 80 m thick Chalk-Chalky limestone of Senonian age does not act as barrier between the two groundwater systems. Key words: Jericho, Shallow Plio-Plistoces and Mountain aquifer systems, Pharmaceutical Residuals, indirect replenishments
The study is aims at tracing the carbon system using carbon isotopes in addition to rubidium and ... more The study is aims at tracing the carbon system using carbon isotopes in addition to rubidium and strontium to trace the different chemical changes and reactions in Jericho aquifer in the lower Jordan valley. The fault systems in the west seem to play a role also in the system water feeding. It seems that there is a fresh water leakage from the Lower Cretaceous formation through the fault that boarder the Cretaceous and Quaternary formations, from which the springs are totally fed with δ13C ~ 12 ‰. The rest of the wells and north shows a mixing of this freshwater with the infiltrated water that fed the Pleistocene aquifer through Wadis run off with the same δ13C signatures. The study shows also the effect of carbonate minerals forms inputs on the system, mainly the effect of different salts lichate inputs on the mineralization and dissociation activities. The typical isotopic signature of δ13C in the salt lichate water was found ~ -7% in the eastern wells group.
With the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993, the Israelis and Palestinians have embarked upon a ... more With the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993, the Israelis and Palestinians have embarked upon a difficult path to share their joint water resources. Despite international efforts to encourage joint technical projects and institution building, obtacles remain for obtaining a comprehensive water agreement. This paper explicates the main problems hindering water cooperation. It examines the different bargaining positions of the Israelis and the Palestinians in the water negotiations. Both the Palestinian and Israeli publics have different perceptions regarding the way the water issue should be resolved. For example, the Palestinians tend to focus on the issue of water rights and compensation for water used by the Israelis during the occupation, and the Israelis instead tend to ignore issues related to international water law and focus on the technical aspects of water sharing. Hence, the difference in perceptions and interpretations of international law influences the nature of any future water agreement.
ABSTRACT This Study investigated the effect of metrological factors variations between eastern an... more ABSTRACT This Study investigated the effect of metrological factors variations between eastern and western foothills on olive oil quality in northern West Bank. Samples were collected from two villages: Assera Al Shamalia (locates on Western foothills) and Bet Dagan (Locates on Eastern foothills). Differences in metrological factors and harvesting times between the two villages cause differences in olive oil quality and higher content of stigmastadiene in Bet Dagan than Assera olive oil. The higher monthly averages of minimum and maximum temperatures of Bet Dagan cause the increase of Stigmastadiene content of olive oil. While the higher amount of precipitation In Assera; cause higher quality and quantity of produced olive oil in Assera compared to Bet Dagan. The lower relative humidity and longer day hours; in Assera village enhances higher amounts of olive oil accumulation and better quality as this is the favorable conditions for olive oil formation. The compression between Cuba, Crete, Spain and Italy olive oil quality with Palestinian olive oil quality, we found that Palestinian olive oil shows good competition quality parameters for Acidity and Peroxide values according to the International olive oil council limits compared with these countries olive oil acidity and peroxide values.
Elimination of pathogens and emerging pollutants represents a key factor in integrated water reso... more Elimination of pathogens and emerging pollutants represents a key factor in integrated water resources management in arid regions. Within the SMART Jordan Valley project it is the objective of this study to assess the occurrence and examine the elimination of selected emerging pollutants and pathogens in waste water treatment and aquifer recharge. In batch and soil column studies non-chlorinated organophosphorous compounds (tri-n-butylphosphate, triphenylphosphate) and endocrine disruptors (e.g. 17-ß-estradiol, bisphenol A) proved to be biodegradable, while the X-ray contrast agents iomeprol and iopromide were eliminated in the soil columns only, and the chlorinated trialkylphosphates showed persistency. Treating waste water in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) in combination with powdered activated carbon (PAC) resulted in considerable removal rates also for the more persistent compounds such as the antiepileptic carbamazepine. Viruses were shown to be present in most of the Jordan Valle...
Detection of waterborne pathogens in drinking water via rapid DNA amplification assays is an impo... more Detection of waterborne pathogens in drinking water via rapid DNA amplification assays is an important and crucial public health method. The aim of this study is to investigate the presence of waterborne pathogens in groundwater resources in Al Arroub, Tulkarem and Jericho areas using direct PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis. Forty-six groundwater samples were collected. The total DNA was extracted from each sample and subjected to PCR analysis directed to specific genes of enteric bacteria, β-lactamases producing bacteria, L. pneumophila (Legionella pneumophila) and H. pylori (Helicobacter pylori). Enteric bacteria were detected with high frequency in Palestinian water sources followed by 13% occurrence of β-lactamases producing bacteria, 9% of H. pylori and 4% of L. pneumophila. The study shows that shallow groundwater wells and water taped from karstic aquifer is potential for contamination and could not be reliable sources of potable water.
Arid to semi-arid conditions that generally promote water scarcity are common in many regions in ... more Arid to semi-arid conditions that generally promote water scarcity are common in many regions in the Near East. Moreover, various places in that geographic domain are affected by groundwater salinization. This challenge is also shared by the Jericho area, located on the western side of the lower Jordan Valley, about ten kilometres NW of the Dead Sea. Due to a unique hydrogeological situation in this area, the discrimination of the hydrochemical signatures of the possible sources of salinization are fuzzy. Part of the potentially salt bearing aquifer material was deposited by the high saline Pleistocene precursor of the Dead Sea, the Lake Lisan, and thus resembles the signature of known residual brines of the former lake. Brine occurrences at other locations in the area usually are connected to the western boundary fault, which is a structural element of the Dead Sea Transform system. From the study of the helium and neon noble gas isotope composition of samples from saline wells and springs at the northwestern Dead Sea shore as well as from six Jericho agricultural wells there is evidence that admixing brines are supposedly not the only source of salinization in the study area. Indeed it is shown that the highest helium excess concentrations are related to the vicinity of the border fault, where moderate salinities are already present. Wells not too far in the E of the study area but in close vicinity to Wadi Qilt produce groundwater with a noble gas composition typical for air-equilibrated surface water. This reflects significant volumes of infiltration in the rainy season due to the mountain discharge, that is mainly derived from springs in the upstream area of Wadi Qilt as well as run off. An intermediate position between the first two groups is demonstrated by the most saline groundwaters, which are found remote from the border fault in the E of the study area. This is interpreted as evidence for additional non-brine salinization input probably from the surrounding sediments of the Lisan Formation.
ABSTRACT Throughout the last century, water legislation in Palestine has reflected the political ... more ABSTRACT Throughout the last century, water legislation in Palestine has reflected the political agenda of the governing regime. During the Ottoman Era water resources were considered private property, in the form of ground water wells, springs and the utility of surface water, and these regulations are still valid. Legislation during the British Mandate period can be divided into two levels, the regulation level (licensing, taxation), which was under the control of the high commissar, and the level of the local management, which included the allocation of water resources, distribution and pricing under municipal control. During the Jordanian period, water legislation was issued to improve domestic and agricultural sectors in the West Bank; in addition, governmental water institutions were established in order to control and sustain water resources. Finally, Israeli military orders since 1967 have aimed to control the allocation, development and use of water resources in Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). These Israeli orders have been especially aimed at limiting the use of water for agricultural purposes in the OP. These orders have indirectly given Mekorot, the Israeli semi-governmental company, the right to explore, distribute and develop water resources in the OP solely for the advantage of Israel and the Jewish settlers.
ABSTRACT Al Uja area locates in the Lower Jordan Valley/West Bank at 250 m below sea level. The a... more ABSTRACT Al Uja area locates in the Lower Jordan Valley/West Bank at 250 m below sea level. The availability of ground water, fertile soil, and warm climate during winter months make it remarkable for its agricultural activities where 600 hectares are under irrigation. Al Uja karstic spring that drain water from the Mountain carbonate aquifer system with a discharge rate between 0.5 and 8 MCM/a , and nine groundwater boreholes that tape water from the shallow Plio-Plistocene aquifer system, with an annual abstraction of 3.5 MCM are the water sources. The south-north fault system of the Jordan Rift Valley separates the two aquifer system. The shallow aquifer system locates to the east of the fault, where the Mountain aquifer system locates to the west. The Mountain aquifer consists of high fractured and karstified limestone and dolomite of Upper Cretaceous age, and the shallow aquifer system consists of gravel, sand, silt, and clay layers of the Dead Sea group. Groundwater recharge of the Mountain aquifer system takes place in the highland area in the West with an annual precipitation of about 550 mm. Formations of the shallow aquifer system crop out in the Jordan Valley where rainfall does not exceed 250 mm/a . Due to the high evaporation rate, direct recharge is neglected. Only small portion of flooding water about 0.4MCM/a infiltrate through wadi Al Uja drainage system in to the Alluvial deposits to the shallow aquifer system. In the other hand, and since more than 40 years, the nine groundwater boreholes are taping about 3 MCM/a, water table decline of about 5 m. Currently, water table locates between -290 m in the west and decrease to - 311 m in the east. Groundwater flows from the Mountain aquifer in the west to the Shallow aquifer in the east through the major fault system. The permeability of the Mountain carbonate layers is 2.49E-1 m/min and decrease to 1.6 E-2 m/min in the layers of the Shallow aquifer system, this decrease of Kf-value east wards cause a semi-barrier for groundwater flow regime, also water salinity increase from 1500 µS/cm in Mountain aquifer to 3000 few hundred m to the east of the fault and rise to 6000 µS/cm in the eastern part. The groundwater flows east wards through a corridor of 1500 meter length along the fault system.
The rise in population, consecutive droughts induced from climate change, and associated increase... more The rise in population, consecutive droughts induced from climate change, and associated increased water demands in the Middle East have placed an increasing pressure on available water resources, which in turn has accelerated the rates of their depletion and contamination. In addition to desalination and recycling waste water, exploitation of non-renewable (``fossil'') groundwater has become an alternative water source. Most of the fossil groundwater in the Middle East and Northern Africa occupies confined sandstone aquifers and is typically characterized by high water quality. Recent findings have shown, however, that fossil groundwater from the Nubian Sandstone aquifers in southern Jordan and Israel has high levels of naturally occurring and carcinogenic radium isotopes that largely exceed the international drinking water standards, and poses a health risk upon long-term utilization. Here we present the results of a multi-isotope study of low-saline (TDS=250-450 mg/L) g...
An artificial recharge test site was selected in the Jeftlik area of the foot prints of the Faria... more An artificial recharge test site was selected in the Jeftlik area of the foot prints of the Faria basin, in the Upper Jordan Rift Valley. The artificial pond infiltration type of 26 meters diameter and 2.85 meters depth was used. It is a hyperbolic form of 500 cubic meters volume. The integration parameters of hydrogeological settings, hydrochemical characteristics of allocated water bodies, geophysical investigations and the potentiality of the aquifer system in the area were used for the test area selection. The test site area lies within the shallow Pleistocene aquifer of 30-50 meters saturated thickness. One groundwater well of 19 m distance and two groundwater wells of 1 km far distance were used for the system monitoring. The filled water in the test system comes from the wadi water floods brought by 1.5 km of open canal. The sub-catchment is of 3 km 2. The recharge rate within the Pleistocene aquifer was determined. This experiment is tested for the water quality type fillings of the first flushing water floods, the water flood in the middle of the winter season and the pumped water from other wells far away from the experiment.
The process of water chlorination to the water contains a considerable amount of TOC can lead to ... more The process of water chlorination to the water contains a considerable amount of TOC can lead to the figuration of some π-products that are highly harmful to human health. Among all the chlorination π-products, trihalomethanes (THMs) is exhibit highly carcinogenic activity. This study tries to identify the main factors that play a critical role in the THM formation and control its mechanisms at different stages. (WHO) usually, measure free residual chlorine values at levels less than the recommended values. The concentrations of THMs formed in the water network vary depending on the concentration of TOC in the discharged spring water, and the chlorine dose plays an important role in this process by increasing the contact time. The THM levels in the tap water of Jericho and Aqbat Jabber camp are at levels below the USEPA limit of 80µg/L, as well as the WHO limit of 100 µg/L. CHBr 3 was found to be the major contributor to the total THMs. CHCl 3 found to be the dominant sort detected ...
One of the most important pollutants that may reach the groundwater through agricultural return f... more One of the most important pollutants that may reach the groundwater through agricultural return flow combined with abuse and ignorance is pesticides. This study focuses on the examination of the concentration of three pesticides: Abamectin, Imidacloprid, and ß-Cyfluthrin, all of which have been used in large quantities in the Lower Jordan Valley (LJV) for the last three decades. Twenty five groundwater samples were collected from water boreholes where water is abstracted from two phreatic aquifer systems which are the Plio-Plistocene aquifer system in Jericho and Lower Al Jeftlik areas and the Eocene carbonate aquifer system in the Middle of Al Jeftlik. The depth of the boreholes in both aquifer system ranges between 80 and 120 m. Water samples were analyzed for Abamectin, Imidacloprid, and ß-Cyfluthrin using the HPLC-UV method. These samples represent two main agricultural locations (Jericho, and the Al Jeftlik). Of the 25 wells sampled, Abamectin was detected in 11 wells in concen...
International Symposium on Olive Irrigation and Oil Quality, 2011
... Detailed Analysis of Chemical and Physical Parameters 1. Iodine Value. ... Refractive index a... more ... Detailed Analysis of Chemical and Physical Parameters 1. Iodine Value. ... Refractive index and Fourier transform infrared spectra of virgin coconut oil and virgin olive oil. Amer. Appl. ... Tables Table 1. Summary data for olive oil quality parameters of Bet-Dagan and Assera samples. ...
ABSTRACT Jericho Oases (-258 m b.s.l) is known through the history for its fertile soil, date tre... more ABSTRACT Jericho Oases (-258 m b.s.l) is known through the history for its fertile soil, date trees, and sweet fruits. Groundwater is the only water sources for domestic and agricultural activities, where about 8 MCM/a discharge form three major springs groups, in addition to 20 MCM are taped from 45 shallow boreholes (10-180 m) in the Plio-Plistocene aquifer system. The current and future availability of groundwater of the shallow Plio-Plistocene aquifer system is the key factor for the economical development of agricultural sector, where during the last 10 years around 50 million USD are invested in this sector. Green houses agriculture, and date trees farming become the major groundwater consumers. From the hydrological point view, the study area is part of the eastern Wadi Al Quilt drainage system, where recharge take place along the mountain range in the western part of the catchment area. The shallow aquifer system consists of gravel; sand and silt inter fingering with clay layers. Chalk and chalky limestone formation of Senonian age separate the shallow aquifer from Mountain aquifer which consists of limestone, and dolomite. Both aquifer systems are part from the Eastern Basin where groundwater flows towards the Jordan River-Dead Sea basin. Direct recharge from rainfall to the shallow aquifer system is neglected due to the high evaporation rates, and only about 1 MCM/a of flooding water infiltrate into this aquifer. The hypotheses of this study is an indirect groundwater replenishment take places in certain sites along the N-S-major fault system, and groundwater flow through passages into the Plio-Plistocene aquifer systems. We tried to use pharmaceutical residuals to trace groundwater flow regimes in the Mountain and Plio-Plistocene aquifer system. Twenty eight water samples were collected during the hydrological year 2011 (in March and July) from 19 sampling sites (springs and boreholes). Few samples were collected from Al Bereh waste water treatment plant as well as from flooding water. The groundwater samples present the Mountain and the Shallow aquifer systems. The Pharmaceutical residuals were analyzed using the HPLC-ESI-MS-MS method. The result show that six pharmaceutical residuals were detected in groundwater samples from the two aquifer systems in addition to the waste water. These are Anti-Epileptic Carbamazepine, the lipid lowering agent Fenofibrate, and the X-ray contrast agents Diatrizoic acid, Iohexol, Iopromide and Iopamidol. Source of these compounds is waste water from Al Bereh Treatment plant and raw waste water from different communities. These compounds are found in springs water drain from the Mountain Aquifer as wells as in boreholes from the shallow aquifer system. The areal distribution of these compounds in groundwater extends about 4 km from wadi Al Quilt drainage system northwards to north of wadi Nueimah. The result of this study confirm the hypotheses that there is an indirect recharge from the Mountain aquifer into the shallow Plio-Plistocene aquifer system in Jericho area. It is expected that S-N- major fault system, and the 80 m thick Chalk-Chalky limestone of Senonian age does not act as barrier between the two groundwater systems. Key words: Jericho, Shallow Plio-Plistoces and Mountain aquifer systems, Pharmaceutical Residuals, indirect replenishments
The study is aims at tracing the carbon system using carbon isotopes in addition to rubidium and ... more The study is aims at tracing the carbon system using carbon isotopes in addition to rubidium and strontium to trace the different chemical changes and reactions in Jericho aquifer in the lower Jordan valley. The fault systems in the west seem to play a role also in the system water feeding. It seems that there is a fresh water leakage from the Lower Cretaceous formation through the fault that boarder the Cretaceous and Quaternary formations, from which the springs are totally fed with δ13C ~ 12 ‰. The rest of the wells and north shows a mixing of this freshwater with the infiltrated water that fed the Pleistocene aquifer through Wadis run off with the same δ13C signatures. The study shows also the effect of carbonate minerals forms inputs on the system, mainly the effect of different salts lichate inputs on the mineralization and dissociation activities. The typical isotopic signature of δ13C in the salt lichate water was found ~ -7% in the eastern wells group.
With the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993, the Israelis and Palestinians have embarked upon a ... more With the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993, the Israelis and Palestinians have embarked upon a difficult path to share their joint water resources. Despite international efforts to encourage joint technical projects and institution building, obtacles remain for obtaining a comprehensive water agreement. This paper explicates the main problems hindering water cooperation. It examines the different bargaining positions of the Israelis and the Palestinians in the water negotiations. Both the Palestinian and Israeli publics have different perceptions regarding the way the water issue should be resolved. For example, the Palestinians tend to focus on the issue of water rights and compensation for water used by the Israelis during the occupation, and the Israelis instead tend to ignore issues related to international water law and focus on the technical aspects of water sharing. Hence, the difference in perceptions and interpretations of international law influences the nature of any future water agreement.
ABSTRACT This Study investigated the effect of metrological factors variations between eastern an... more ABSTRACT This Study investigated the effect of metrological factors variations between eastern and western foothills on olive oil quality in northern West Bank. Samples were collected from two villages: Assera Al Shamalia (locates on Western foothills) and Bet Dagan (Locates on Eastern foothills). Differences in metrological factors and harvesting times between the two villages cause differences in olive oil quality and higher content of stigmastadiene in Bet Dagan than Assera olive oil. The higher monthly averages of minimum and maximum temperatures of Bet Dagan cause the increase of Stigmastadiene content of olive oil. While the higher amount of precipitation In Assera; cause higher quality and quantity of produced olive oil in Assera compared to Bet Dagan. The lower relative humidity and longer day hours; in Assera village enhances higher amounts of olive oil accumulation and better quality as this is the favorable conditions for olive oil formation. The compression between Cuba, Crete, Spain and Italy olive oil quality with Palestinian olive oil quality, we found that Palestinian olive oil shows good competition quality parameters for Acidity and Peroxide values according to the International olive oil council limits compared with these countries olive oil acidity and peroxide values.
Elimination of pathogens and emerging pollutants represents a key factor in integrated water reso... more Elimination of pathogens and emerging pollutants represents a key factor in integrated water resources management in arid regions. Within the SMART Jordan Valley project it is the objective of this study to assess the occurrence and examine the elimination of selected emerging pollutants and pathogens in waste water treatment and aquifer recharge. In batch and soil column studies non-chlorinated organophosphorous compounds (tri-n-butylphosphate, triphenylphosphate) and endocrine disruptors (e.g. 17-ß-estradiol, bisphenol A) proved to be biodegradable, while the X-ray contrast agents iomeprol and iopromide were eliminated in the soil columns only, and the chlorinated trialkylphosphates showed persistency. Treating waste water in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) in combination with powdered activated carbon (PAC) resulted in considerable removal rates also for the more persistent compounds such as the antiepileptic carbamazepine. Viruses were shown to be present in most of the Jordan Valle...
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Papers by A. Marei