This study was carried out to investigate the impact of drainage basin’s lithostratigraphy on the quality and type of stored water in the Mujib dam reservoir. The water samples were collected on a monthly basis from surface water from January 2012 to December 2015. The classifications of collecting water samples for domestic and irrigation purposes were based on different physico- chemical parameters such as pH, EC, TDS, TSS, Na +, K +, Ca 2+, Mg 2+, Cl -, SO 4 2-, HCO 3 - , NH 4 +, NO 3 - , NO 2 - , SAR, RSC, SSP, RSBC, PI, MAR, KR, and TH. All analyzed water samples were satisfied the Jordanian permissible limit and graded as “fresh water”. The hydrochemical indices (Mg/Ca and Cl/HCO3) and Cation Exchange values (CEV), indicating that the surface water chemistry is due to the rock weathering minerals with respect to their inland origin. The water samples have complied within the respective limits in respect of pH, EC, SAR, RSC, RSBC, MAR, KR, SSP and PI, and hard in respect of TH which may be due to the dissolution of the weathered rocks. Abundance of cations and anions is in the following order: Ca > Na > Mg > K and HCO 3 > SO 4 > Cl > NO 3 during the period 2013-2015 and SO 4 > HCO 3 > Cl > NO 3 through 2012. Thus, calcium and bicarbonate–sulfate are the dominant ions present in the surface water of this study. Piper diagram suggested that carbonate and gypsum weathering is the dominant process controlling reservoir water chemistry in the basin area. The quality and type of surface water can be modified by the lithology of the catchment area. The hydrogeochemical study of Mujib reservoir water indicated that the water quality is safe for drinking and agricultural purposes.
Jordan is hurtling toward a future with dwindling water resources and not enough resources to buy all it needs. Providing stable, freshwater supplies in Jordan have become increasingly problematic due to climate change, increased desertification and the population doubles as a result of the added pressures of successive waves of refugees living in Jordan. Jordan is considered by several experts as the second most water-stressed country in the world that increasingly stressed particularly by the influx of Syrian refugees seeking safety across the border that begins from March 2011 [
The Jordan development plans concentrated on dam construction as an available infrastructure solution. Several dams were constructed in the Jordan valley, such as Arab, ziglab, King Talal, Karameh, Shueib, Kafrein, Wala, tannur and Mujib. Mujib dam was constructed in the southern Ghors with a total storage capacity of 31.2 MCM, stored water from Mujib dam is used for domestic, industrial supply and irrigation [
Reservoir water derives its chemical composition from the feeding waterway system, weathering and geochemical processes operating in the catchment area and anthropogenic sources. Minerals in rocks may react with the slightly acidic rainwater, regulating somehow the chemical composition of reservoir waters. The quality and hydrogeochemistry of the available quantum of water play a significant role in the determination of its utility and in tracing out the hydro- geochemical evaluation [
Lithology is an essential factor in determining river chemistry [
The water quality can be modified by the lithology of the catchment area. Hard water is usually defined as water, which contains a high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions. The major sources of hardness are limestone (CaCO3) and dolostone (CaMg(CO3)2). Consequently, it’s probably to expect the lithology as carbonate rocks of any catchment area, if the reservoir water analysis indicated to hard water.
It is necessary to improve our understanding of the geologic units influences that have covered the catchment area of any surface water body of water type and water quality. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the lithostratigraphy of the catchment area on the quality and type of stored water in the Mujib Dam Reservoir (MDR), which has not been sufficiently studied in water researches. A graphical representation of the physico-chemical analysis of water samples provides an overall view of the classification and assessment of water type and quality.
Mujib Dam (
and Jafr basins, and westward by the Dead Sea catchment. The reservoir water comes mainly from seven tributaries, e.g., Wadi Al-Salaytah, Wadi Al-Qiyama and Wadi Mkheres through Wadi Mujib and partially from precipitation. The reservoir water is used as drinking water source, also to irrigation in periods of water deficiency. Most of the annual precipitation starts in October and ends in May, and months from June to September can be considered as a dry summer season. The climate of the Wadi Mujib is considered as a Mediterranean in the western catchments to semiarid in the eastern catchments.
During summer months, the eastern part of the Wadi Mujib catchment area experiences to high evaporation rates that render to reduce the relative humidity values, however, many dust storms occur during spring and autumn months. Rainfall intensifies during January, even though the winter months extend from October through May. Annual rainfall decreases from 300 mm near the western edge of the Wadi Mujib to less than 50 mm at the eastern edge [
Mujib drains into the Dead Sea through Wadi Mujib with an annual runoff of 26 million m3/year [
The Ajlun group consists of five formations (Na’ur, Fuheis, Hummar, Shueib and Wadi Es-Sir) and the Belqa group divides stratigraphically into four formations (Ghudran, Amman, Al-Hasa phosphorite and Muwaqar). Na’ur, Fuheis, Hummar, Shueib and Wadi Es-Sir formations are equivalent to the A1/2, A3, A4, A5/6 and A7 of [
The topography of the Wadi Mujib is characterized by smooth rolling hills, steep slope, and the presence of talus sediments produced by landslides. Elevation in the area is varying from 335 m below sea level in Wadi Mujib, to 1279 m above sea level southwest of the study area (near Al-Mazar) [
To obtain an understanding of the chemical behavior of a water body and to know if it is fit for human use or various ecosystem services, seven ions (four cations and three anions), and ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate ions as well as several physical and microbiological parameters should be taken into consideration. The seven ions are as follows: Major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+), Major anions (
Water sampling, preservation, and analyses were carried out according to the
Year | Mg/Ca | Cl/HCO3 | CEV |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | 0.42 | 0.57 | 0.30 |
2013 | 0.28 | 0.43 | 0.26 |
2014 | 0.33 | 0.34 | 0.10 |
2015 | 0.29 | 0.37 | 0.10 |
Min | 0.28 | 0.34 | 0.10 |
Max | 0.42 | 0.57 | 0.30 |
Year | Parameter/Function | pH (SU) | EC (µs/cm) | Cl− (mg/l) | Ca2+ (mg/l) | Mg2+ (mg/l) | Na+ (mg/l) | K+ (mg/l) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Mean | 7.9 | 901.1 | 172.4 | 140.1 | 98.7 | 70.7 | 29.5 | 61.1 | 7.7 |
Max | 8.4 | 1150.0 | 272.0 | 222.3 | 137.0 | 90.2 | 40.3 | 80.2 | 10.7 | |
Min | 7.6 | 704.0 | 123.0 | 24.8 | 70.0 | 52.6 | 22.7 | 47.4 | 5.3 | |
2013 | Mean | 8.4 | 538.4 | 123.2 | 86.8 | 52.8 | 55.6 | 15.5 | 34.2 | 5.0 |
Max | 9.3 | 1033.0 | 157.0 | 261.0 | 113.0 | 94.5 | 40.5 | 74.3 | 7.1 | |
Min | 7.7 | 213.0 | 88.2 | 7.6 | 36.0 | 10.6 | 9.9 | 23.2 | 3.5 | |
2014 | Mean | 8.2 | 594.0 | 143.7 | 98.8 | 48.8 | 48.2 | 15.9 | 36.9 | 7.0 |
Max | 8.9 | 657.0 | 168.0 | 142.5 | 79.4 | 66.5 | 28.4 | 42.6 | 16.8 | |
Min | 7.5 | 501.0 | 94.2 | 42.6 | 11.8 | 10.0 | 9.6 | 31.7 | 2.9 | |
2015 | Mean | 8.1 | 587.9 | 146.4 | 89.9 | 53.6 | 51.9 | 15.0 | 41.1 | 7.2 |
Max | 8.4 | 644.0 | 187.0 | 120.2 | 67.0 | 64.9 | 19.6 | 51.8 | 10.8 | |
Min | 7.5 | 501.0 | 126.0 | 61.9 | 38.0 | 46.6 | 8.2 | 31.4 | 5.1 |
Year | Parameter/Function | TDS (mg/l) | TSS (mg/l) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Mean | 535.0 | 7.9 | 4.8 | 1.2 | 0.0 |
Max | 699.0 | 63.0 | 4.8 | 2.4 | 0.2 | |
Min | 372.0 | 2.0 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | |
2013 | Mean | 327.8 | 12.7 | 4.8 | 1.7 | 0.0 |
Max | 657.2 | 231.0 | 4.8 | 4.0 | 0.1 | |
Min | 237.7 | 3.0 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | |
2014 | Mean | 328.0 | 7.7 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
Max | 417.5 | 61.0 | 4.8 | 1.3 | 0.2 | |
Min | 210.3 | 2.0 | 4.8 | 1.0 | 0.0 | |
2015 | Mean | 319.3 | 6.9 | 0.3 | 1.3 | 0.0 |
Max | 362.9 | 32.0 | 0.9 | 10.4 | 0.2 | |
Min | 265.7 | 2.0 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
Parameter | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Min | Max |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SAR | 1.95 | 1.97 | 1.99 | 1.94 | 1.94 | 1.99 |
RSC | −1.34 | −1.26 | −1.16 | −1.21 | −1.34 | −1.16 |
SSP | 35.49 | 35.82 | 36.05 | 35.43 | 35.43 | 36.05 |
RSBC | −0.21 | −0.17 | −0.14 | −0.20 | −0.21 | −0.14 |
PI | 60.79 | 61.50 | 62.19 | 61.49 | 60.79 | 62.19 |
MAR | 29.50 | 28.61 | 27.20 | 26.83 | 26.83 | 29.50 |
KR | 0.50 | 0.51 | 0.51 | 0.50 | 0.50 | 0.51 |
TH | 297.59 | 202.40 | 185.54 | 191.22 | 185.54 | 297.59 |
standard procedures of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water, and Wastewater [
Charts were used for the purposes of clarification and interpretation of the results, the results of the analysis of the twelve samples of each year in the reservoir were annually averaged. This means that one annually representative averages respectively, were used instead of 48 samples over the study period from 2012 to 2015. An assessment of the water quality of the surface water for Mujib reservoir was primarily based on the four main cations (calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium) and the main anions (bicarbonate, sulfate, and chloride). Piper [
Parameter | Unit | JSD1 | WHO Standards | JSI2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
pH | SU | 6.5 - 8.5 | 6.5 - 8.5 | 6.0 - 9.0 |
EC | µs/cm | 700.00 | <1400 | <3000 |
TDS | mg/l | 1000 - 1300 | 600.00 | <2000 |
TSS | mg/l | 25.00 | 25 - 40 | <100 |
mg/l | 0.20 | 1.50 | <20.6 | |
mg/l | 50 - 70 | 50.00 | <70.8 | |
mg/l | 2.00 | 3.00 | - | |
mg/l | 100 - 500 | 125 - 350 | <520 | |
mg/l | 200 - 500 | 250.00 | <960 | |
Cl− | mg/l | 200 - 500 | 250.00 | <355 |
Ca2+ | mg/l | 75 - 200 | 75.00 | <400 |
Mg2+ | mg/l | 50 - 150 | <125 | <150 |
Na+ | mg/l | 200 - 300 | 200.00 | <207 |
K+ | mg/l | 12.00 | 12.00 | <80 |
1. JSD: Jordanian Standards (Drinking) according to (MWI, 2012). | ||||
2. JSI: Jordanian Standards (Irrigating) according to (MWI, 2014). |
quality and type of Mujib Reservoir water. The geology of the catchment area was one of the main reasons that have contributed to fluctuate the average values of all major ion concentrations in Wadi Al-Arab reservoir water [
The ratios of Mg/Ca, Cl/HCO3, and the Cationic Exchange Value (CEV) = {Cl ? (Na + K)}/Cl) were calculated to identify the origin of the surface water in the study area (
The analytical results present the abundance of the ions in the following order: Ca > Na > Mg > K while for the anions is in the order: HCO3 > SO4 > Cl >
Parameters | Range | Water Class |
---|---|---|
SAR | < 10 | Normal |
10 - 20 | Low sodic hazard | |
20 - 30 | Medium sodic hazard | |
30 - 40 | High sodic hazard | |
> 40 | Very high sodic hazard | |
RSC | < 1.25 | Safe |
1.25 - 2.50 | Marginally suitable | |
> 2.50 | Unsuitable | |
SSP | < 20 | Excellent |
20 - 40 | Good | |
40 - 60 | Permissible | |
60 - 80 | Doubtful | |
> 80 | Unsuitable | |
RSBC | <5.0 | Satisfactory |
5.0 - 10.0 | Marginal | |
> 10.0 | Unsatisfactory | |
PI | < 80 | Good |
80 - 100 | Moderate | |
100 - 120 | Poor | |
MAR | < 50 | Suitable |
> 50 | Unsuitable | |
KR | < 1.0 | Suitable |
> 1.0 | Unsuitable | |
TH | 0 - 75 | Soft |
75 - 150 | Moderate Hard | |
150 - 300 | Hard | |
> 300 | Very hard | |
pH | < 5.5 | Acidic |
5.6 - 6.4 | Slightly acidic | |
6.5 - 7.5 | Practically neutral | |
7.6 - 8.0 | Slightly alkaline | |
> 8.0 | Alkaline | |
EC | < 250 | Excellent |
250 - 750 | Good | |
750 - 2000 | Permissible | |
2000 - 3000 | Doubtful | |
> 3000 | Unsuitable | |
TDS | < 1000 | Fresh |
1000 - 3000 | Slightly saline | |
3000 - 10,000 | Moderately saline | |
10,000 - 35,000 | Very saline | |
> 35,000 | Briny |
NO3 over the period 2013-2015 and SO4 > HCO3 > Cl > NO3 through 2012. Calcium, mostly bicarbonate and sulfate are the dominant ions present in the surface water of the study area. These ions form the major constituents of carbonate rocks (e.g., limestone) and rock gypsum that represents the principal rock types covering the basin’s catchment area.
In the present study, Seven ions (four cations and three anions), ammonium, nitrite, and nitrate ions as well as pH, EC, TDS, TSS, SAR, RSC, SSP, RSBC, PI, MAR, KR, and TH have been taken into consideration. The seven ions that almost represent the total dissolved inorganic solutes of natural waters are as follows: Major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+) and Major anions (
1) Bicarbonate
The dissolved CO2 that enters the water through an atmosphere, biological degradation and photosynthesis are considered as the principal source of acidity in water.
Aqueous CO2 (aq) undergoes a number of equilibrium reactions, limestone dissolving and carbonic acid forming:
Carbonic acid may lose protons to form bicarbonate,
In the present case where the water is slightly alkaline to an alkaline nature (high pH), calcium carbonate and the carbonic acid dissociates to form bicarbonate, calcium and hydrogen ions, due to hydrogen ions being acid forming ions, neutralizing the pH value.
Bicarbonate is the dominant anion, followed by sulfate in the study area. It’s an annual average concentration ranges from 123.17 to 172.45 mg/l (
weathered carbonate rocks. The bicarbonate of the surface water samples is within the permissible limit as specified by [
2) Chloride
Elevated concentration of chloride in drinking water produces a salty taste. The concentration of chloride ranges from 48.76 to 98.65 mg/l (
3) Sulfate
Sulfates occur naturally in the environment, commonly originating from mineral deposits, soil, and rocks. Sulfate concentration is varied between 86.79 and 140.14 mg/l (
4) Sodium
The sodium concentration in surface water is varied between 34.23 and 61.08 mg/l (
5) Potassium
Generally, the concentrations of potassium in drinking-water are low due to relatively high degree of stability of potassium bearing minerals and do not pose health concerns. The concentration of potassium ranges from 4.97 to 7.70 mg/l (
6) Calcium and Magnesium
The concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in the surface water are influenced primarily by dissolution of calcite or dolomite and the dissolution of gypsum (CaSO4×2H2O) can cause increases in Ca2+ concentrations when the water encounters these minerals along its flow paths. The concentration of Ca2+ varies from 48.16 to 70.71 mg/l (
The pH of water is a very important factor in controlling the dissolution and precipitation of the carbonate system and good indication of its quality. In the present study, the pH of the surface water of Mujib Reservoir varies from 7.95 to 8.40 as shown in (
Electrical conductivity (EC) estimates the amount of total dissolved salts (TDS) or the total amount of dissolved ions in the water. The EC of the surface water samples ranges from 538.36 to 901.08 μS/cm as an annual average over the study period shown in (
Nitrogen compounds of greatest interest in water quality are those that are biologically available as nutrients to plants or exhibit toxicity to humans or aquatic life [
Because, Jordan is one of the arid and semi-arid regions, crop production is dependent on irrigated agriculture. During the hot and dry seasons, the irrigation water that does not contain harmful amounts of soluble salts to the plants or has an undesirable effect on the soil properties is required. The availability of good quality water in sufficient quantities to satisfy the water requirements of all
the crops grown is rarely. So, the farmers are obliged to use the available irrigation water with high amounts of dissolved salts, that leads to reductions and failure of most crops in addition to the development of saline soils. Salinity, sodicity (alkali), toxicity are three principal hazards that can be associated with the quality of irrigation water used in the agricultural fields. Salinity, sodicity (alkali) hazards would be discussed in the present study and toxicity hazard would be left without discussion due to unavailable data. Salinity hazard is related to the quantity of salts dissolved in the irrigation water and the sodicity (alkali) hazard develops when the concentration of sodium ions is elevated more than divalent calcium and magnesium ions while the total concentration of salts is generally not very high. Classification of irrigation water based mainly on EC and sodium concentration. The salinity in irrigation water can be categorized for the purpose of classification of irrigation water with respect to (
Some parameters have been calculated for each water sample over the study period to identify the irrigational suitability.
The Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) was calculated by the following equation given by [
The residual sodium carbonate index (RSC) can be calculated by the following equation:
Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP) was calculated by the following equation [
The Residual Sodium Bi-carbonate (RSBC) was calculated according to [
The Permeability Index (PI) was calculated according to [
Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR) was calculated by the equation [
The Kelly’s Ratio (KR) was calculated using the equation [
where all the ionic concentrations in the equations above are expressed in meq/L.
1) The Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR)
The calculated value of SAR in the study area ranges from 1.5 to 1.83 (
2) Residual Sodium Carbonate index (RSC)
If the sum of carbonates and bicarbonates is in excess of the alkaline earth (Ca + Mg), complete precipitation of calcium and magnesium may occur [
below 1.25 meq/l and varied between (−3.13 to −1.36) meq/l (
3) Residual Sodium Bi-carbonate (RSBC)
The residual sodium bi-carbonate (RSBC) values of the surface water samples were ranging from -0.71 to -0.05 (
4) Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP)
The soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP) values were ranging between 29.5 and 34.0 in the study area (
5) Permeability Index (PI)
The permeability index (PI) values of the surface water samples were varied from 50.3 to 59.41 (
6) Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR)
The magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR) values of the surface water samples were varied from 32.2 to 40.7 over the study period (
7) Kelly’s Ratio (KR)
The Kelly’s ratio (KR) values of the surface water samples were varied from 0.39 to 0.47 (
8) Total Hardness (TH)
Water hardness is mainly caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium ions and anions such as carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride and sulfate in water. The (TH) was calculated according to the equation of [
The geochemical evolution of water and a relationship between rock types and water composition can be evaluated by the Piper trilinear diagram [
A bivariate correlation analysis (AKA, Pearson’s r) is applied in the present study to determine the empirical relationship and help in testing simple hypotheses of association between two hydrochemical parameters, denoted as X and Y. A positive r value expresses a positive relationship between the two parame-
ters (the larger X, the larger Y) while a negative r value indicates a negative relationship (the larger X, the smaller Y). A correlation coefficient of zero indicates no relationship between the parameters at all. It can be said that parameters showing r near (1) indicate a good relationship between two parameters (either positively or negatively correlated), r > 0.7 are considered to be strongly correlated whereas r between 0.5 and 0.7 shows moderate correlation.
In Mujib Reservoir, a positive correlation was observed between EC and TDS with HCO3, SO4, Cl, Ca, Mg, Na and K in the present study (
Parameter | pH | EC | TDS | Cl− | Ca2+ | Mg2+ | Na+ | K+ | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
pH | 1.00 | |||||||||
EC | −0.78 | 1.00 | ||||||||
TDS | −0.77 | 0.99 | 1.00 | |||||||
−0.96 | 0.92 | 0.92 | 1.00 | |||||||
−0.74 | 0.99 | 0.99 | 0.91 | 1.00 | ||||||
Cl− | −0.67 | 0.98 | 0.98 | 0.84 | 0.96 | 1.00 | ||||
Ca2+ | −0.49 | 0.90 | 0.91 | 0.69 | 0.87 | 0.97 | 1.00 | |||
Mg2+ | −0.67 | 0.99 | 0.99 | 0.85 | 0.98 | 0.99 | 0.94 | 1.00 | ||
Na+ | −0.82 | 0.99 | 0.99 | 0.94 | 0.96 | 0.97 | 0.90 | 0.96 | 1.00 | |
K+ | −0.97 | 0.65 | 0.64 | 0.89 | 0.64 | 0.51 | 0.30 | 0.53 | 0.69 | 1.00 |
the chemical composition of reservoir water. Overall the reservoir water was unpolluted with respect to its constituents show partial anthropogenic impact and can be safely used for drinking and irrigation purposes.
The correlations between different chemical properties of surface water are presented in
SAR had high a positive correlation with SSP (r = 0.99), RSBC (r = 0.90), KR (r = 0.99), PI (r = 0.70), moderate correlation with RCS (r = 0.49) and had a negative correlation with TH (r = −0.38), and MAR (r = −0.06). RSC had a strong correlation with RSBC (r = 0.83), PI (r = 0.97) and moderate correlation with SSP and KR (r = 0.60) and had a negative correlation with MAR and TH (r = −0.90, −0.92, respectively). SSP had a strong correlation with RSBC (r = 0.94), PI (r = 0.79) and KR (r = 1.00) and had a negative correlation with MAR (r = −0.18) and TH(r = −0.49). RSBC had a strong correlation with PI and KR (r = 0.95), PI (r = 0.97) and had a negative correlation with MAR and TH (r = −0.50, −0.72, respectively). PI had a strong correlation with KR (r = 0.79) and had a negative correlation with MAR and TH (r = −0.75, −0.87, respectively). MAR had a strong correlation with TH (r = 0.85) and had a negative correlation with MAR (r = −0.19). KR had a negative correlation with TH (r = −0.49).
Parameter | SAR | RSC | SSP | RSBC | PI | MAR | KR | TH |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SAR | 1.00 | |||||||
RSC | 0.49 | 1.00 | ||||||
SSP | 0.99 | 0.60 | 1.00 | |||||
RSBC | 0.90 | 0.83 | 0.94 | 1.00 | ||||
PI | 0.70 | 0.97 | 0.79 | 0.95 | 1.00 | |||
MAR | −0.06 | −0.90 | −0.18 | −0.50 | −0.75 | 1.00 | ||
KR | 0.99 | 0.60 | 1.00 | 0.95 | 0.79 | −0.19 | 1.00 | |
TH | −0.38 | −0.92 | −0.49 | −0.72 | −0.87 | 0.85 | −0.49 | 1.00 |
The results revealed that:
a) The pH value of collecting surface water was slightly alkaline to an alkaline nature and on the basis of EC and TDS values the water samples were graded as “fresh water”.
b) The total anions and cations of water under analysis were within the safe limit for drinking and irrigating purposes and all of the surface water is within the permissible limit as specified by Jordanian Standards (JS 286:2008(, (JS 1766:2014) and WHO (2011).
c) The ionic ratios (Hydrochemical indices); Mg/Ca, Cl/HCO3 and Cation
Exchange Values (CEV) indicated that the surface water in the study area appears to be of low-salt inland origin.
d) On the combined basis of the EC and SAR, all surface water samples were during the year 2013-2015 fall in the category C2S1 but through the year 2012, the samples fall in the category in C3S1, indicating medium (2013-2015) to high (2012) salinity and low sodium water.
e) The reservoir water of Mujib dam can be used for irrigation purposes. The water quality is within the desirable limit in respect of Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR), Residual Sodium Carbonate index (RSC), Soluble Sodium Percentage (SSP), Residual Sodium Bi-carbonate (RSBC), Permeability Index (PI), Magnesium Adsorption Ratio (MAR), Kelly’s Ratio (KR) and Total Hardness (TH(.
f) Abundance of cations and anions is in the following order: Ca > Na > Mg > K and HCO3 > SO4 > Cl > NO3 during the period 2013-2015 and SO4 > HCO3 > Cl > NO3 through 2012. Thus, calcium and bicarbonate-sulfate are the dominant ions present in surface water in this basin area. Piper diagram suggested that carbonate and gypsum weathering is the dominant process controlling reservoir water chemistry in the basin area.
g) The quality and type of the surface water can be modified by the lithostratigraphic units in the catchment area.
h) The major sources of the hardness are limestone (CaCO3) and dolostone (CaMg(CO3)2).
i) The concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions in the surface water are influenced primarily by dissolution of calcite or dolomite and the dissolution of gypsum (CaSO4. 2H2O) can cause increases in Ca2+ concentrations.
j) The carbonate rocks (e.g., limestone) and rock gypsum represent the principal rock types covering the basin’s catchment area.
k) Based on the major ions of the surface water composition, it’s probable to reveal the lithology (rock types) of any basin’s catchment area.
l) The statistical analysis suggested that the lithology of the catchment basin area played an important role in governing the hydrogeochemistry, quality, and type of the reservoir water of Mujib dam.
I would like to thank the Jordan Valley Authority for providing the opportunity to conduct this research, as well as Eng. Fuad Hanna the Head of water Division for his assistance in providing the necessary infrastructure to complete this work. Thanks also to Al al-Bayt University, to my cooperative colleague Dr. Majed Ibrahim from GIS and Remote Sensing Department and to my family for their support throughout the process.
Al-Mashakbeh, H.M. (2017) The Influence of Lithostratigraphy on the Type and Quality of Stored Water in Mujib Reservoir-Jordan. Journal of Environmental Protection, 8, 568-590. https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2017.84038