Toward a Better Understanding of the Nitrate Contamination of the Groundwater in the West Bank The Case Study of the Eocene and the Western Aquifers
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Date
2019-05-05
Authors
Aljundi, Balsam
Journal Title
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Publisher
جامعة النجاح الوطنية
Abstract
Groundwater is the main source of fresh water for the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza strip. Therefore, assessment and monitoring of its quality and quantity is essential. Recent studies have indicated an increasing trend in the nitrate contamination in the Eocene Aquifer (EA) and the Western Aquifer Basin (WAB). Nitrate contamination is mainly due to intense use of fertilizers, the seepage of wastewater from cesspits, and the lack of integrated wastewater systems. Elevated nitrate concentrations in drinking water may cause health problems such as methemoglobinemia in infants and stomach cancer in adults.
This research aims to understand the spatial and vertical distribution of nitrate contamination in the groundwater of the West Bank by taking the EA and the WAB as case studies. A total of 16 wells within the WAB located in the northern part of Tulkarm governorate (Ash-Shaarawieh) were visited and tested to study the spatial distribution of nitrate concentration, while another six adjacent wells within the boundary of the Eocene aquifer that are located in Qabatiya town were considered to study the vertical distribution of nitrate concentration.
These measurements were carried out on monthly basis between the period of September 2018 and March 2019. Results showed that there are elevated concentrations of nitrate beyond the maximum contaminant level (MCL) which equals 50 mg/l-NO3 in Ash-Shaarawieh particularly in Illar and Attil. These wells are located beneath irrigated areas and have the maximum range of nitrate concentrations resulted mainly from intensive agricultural activities (e.g. fertilizing, irrigation). While, wells that are located within the built-up areas have nitrate concentration ranges between 26 and 50 mg/l-NO3. This reflects the improper disposal of wastewater which is widely spread in these areas. For the vertical distribution, there is an inverse relation between the depth of sampled wells and the nitrate concentration in Qabatiya town.
Finally, some practical management options to control the problem of nitrate pollution in the study areas were suggested. Modeling should be utilized for the selection of proper management options to control the nitrate occurrence in groundwater. In addition, more frequent and well distributed samples should be promoted through a well-developed strategy for groundwater monitoring