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

Abstract

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.