Jochen Klinger

Tracking changing X-ray contrast media application to an urban-influenced karst aquifer in the Wadi Shueib, Jordan

Sewage input into a karst aquifer via leaking sewers and cesspits was investigated over five years in an urbanized catchment. Of 66 samples, analyzed for 25 pharmaceuticals, 91% indicated detectable concentrations. The former standard iodinated X-ray contrast medium (ICM) diatrizoic acid was detected most frequently. Remarkably, it was found more frequently in groundwater (79%, median: 54 ng/l) than in wastewater (21%, 120 ng/l), which is supposed to be the only source in this area. In contrast, iopamidol, a possible substitute, spread over the aquifer during the investigation period whereas concentrations were two orders of magnitude higher in wastewater than in groundwater. Knowledge about changing application of pharmaceuticals thus is essential to assess urban impacts on aquifers, especially when applying mass balances. Since correlated concentrations provide conclusive evidence that, for this catchment, nitrate in groundwater rather comes from urban than from rural sources, ICM are considered useful tracers.

Erratum: Impact of managed aquifer recharge on the chemical and isotopic composition of a karst aquifer, Wala reservoir, Jordan

Storm-water harvesting and storage via managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is a promising approach to combat water scarcity in semi-arid regions, but poses a challenge for karst aquifers and regions with highly variable water availability. The infiltration of low-mineralized surface water and its impact on highly mineralized groundwater of a karst aquifer was investigated at Wala reservoir in Jordan over a period of approximately 10 years. The results show significant groundwater-level rise in a wellfield, in response to the yearly average infiltration of about 6.7 million m3. This corresponds to about 60 % of the yearly average abstraction of about 11.7 million m3, confirmed by mixing calculations with tritium. A decreasing trend in infiltration due to sedimentation is observed. Mean groundwater residence times of several thousand years, derived from carbon-14 dating, indicate a large storage capacity of the aquifer. The heterogeneous distribution of the residence times is caused by strong groundwater withdrawals and artificial recharge along with karst-specific aquifer characteristics. Temporal groundwater salinity fluctuations in the wellfield are observed after the first MAR infiltration. Enhanced groundwater flow along the wadi course was demonstrated, which is an important aspect with regards to future MAR projects in similar wadis of the region.

Isotopic constraints on water source mixing, network leakage and contamination in an urban groundwater system

Water supply in developing countries is prone to large water losses due to leaky distribution networks and defective sewers, which may affect groundwater quality and quantity in urban areas and result in complex subsurface mixing dynamics. In this study, a multi-stable isotope approach was used to investigate spatiotemporal fluctuations of surface and sub-surface water source partitioning and mixing, and to assess nitrogen (N) contamination in the urban water cycle of As-Salt, Jordan. Water import from the King Abdullah Canal (KAC), mains waters from the network, and wastewater are characterized by distinct isotopic signatures, which allowed us to quantify city effluents into the groundwater. Temporal variations in isotopic signatures of polluted groundwater are explained by seasonally fluctuating inflow, and dilution by water that originates from Lake Tiberias and enters the urban water cycle via the KAC. Isotopic analysis (N and O) and comparison between groundwater nitrate and nitrate from mains water, water imports and wastewater confirmed that septic waste from leaky sewers is the main contributor of nitrate contamination. The nitrate of strongly contaminated groundwater was characterized by highest δ15NNO3 values (13.3±1.8‰), whereas lowest δ15NNO3 values were measured in unpolluted groundwater (6.9‰). Analogously, nitrate concentration and isotopic ratios were used for source partitioning and qualitatively confirmed δDH2O and δ18OH2O-based estimates. Dual water isotope endmember mixing calculations suggest that city effluents from leaky networks and sewers contribute 30-64% to the heavily polluted groundwater. Ternary mixing calculations including also chloride revealed that 5-18% of the polluted groundwater is wastewater. Up to two thirds of the groundwater originates from mains, indicating excessive water loss from the network, and calling for improved water supply management.

Contamination risk and drinking water protection for a large-scale managed aquifer recharge site in a semi-arid karst region, Jordan

Karst aquifers in semi-arid regions are particularly threatened by surface contamination, especially during winter seasons when extremely variable rainfall of high intensities prevails. An additional challenge is posed when managed recharge of storm water is applied, since karst aquifers display a high spatial variability of hydraulic properties. In these cases, adapted protection concepts are required to address the interaction of surface water and groundwater. In this study a combined protection approach for the surface catchment of the managed aquifer recharge site at the Wala reservoir in Jordan and the downstream Hidan wellfield, which are both subject to frequent bacteriological contamination, is developed. The variability of groundwater quality was evaluated by correlating contamination events to rainfall, and to recharge from the reservoir. Both trigger increased wadi flow downstream of the reservoir by surface runoff generation and groundwater seepage, respectively. A tracer test verified the major pathway of the surface flow into the underground by infiltrating from pools along Wadi Wala. An intrinsic karst vulnerability and risk map was adapted to the regional characteristics and developed to account for the catchment separation by the Wala Dam and the interaction of surface water and groundwater. Implementation of the proposed protection zones for the wellfield and the reservoir is highly recommended, since the results suggest an extreme contamination risk resulting from livestock farming, arable agriculture and human occupation along the wadi. The applied methods can be transferred to other managed aquifer recharge sites in similar karstic environments of semi-arid regions.ZusammenfassungKarstgrundwasserleiter in semiariden Gebieten sind im besonderen Maße von Oberflächenverschmutzung bedroht, vor allem während der Wintersaison, wenn extrem variabler Niederschlag von hoher Intensität vorherrscht. Eine zusätzliche Herausforderung stellt die künstliche Grundwasseranreicherung mit Niederschlagswasser dar, da Karstgrundwasserleiter eine hohe räumliche Variabilität in ihren hydraulischen Eigenschaften aufweisen. In diesen Fällen sind angepasste Schutzkonzepte erforderlich, die das Zusammenspiel von Oberflächenwasser und Grundwasser berücksichtigen. In dieser Studie wird ein kombiniertes Schutzkonzept für das Oberflächeneinzugsgebiet der künstlichen Grundwasseranreicherungsanlage am Wala Stausee und dem unterstromig gelegenen Hidan Brunnenfeld in Jordanien entwickelt. In Beiden wurden wiederholt bakteriologische Verunreinigungen festgestellt. Die Variabilität der Grundwasserqualität lässt sich durch Korrelation der Kontaminationsereignisse mit Niederschlagsereignissen und Infiltration aus dem Stausee erklären. Beides führt zu erhöhtem Abfluss im Wadi unterhalb des Stausees, hervorgerufen durch Oberflächenabfluss und Grundwasseraustritte. Ein Tracerversuch bestätigte die Infiltration des Oberflächenflusses in den Untergrund über Pools entlang des Wadi Wala. Eine intrinsische Karstvulnerabilitäts- und Risikokarte wurde entwickelt und an die regionalen Besonderheiten angepasst, um die Abtrennung des Einzugsgebiets durch den Wala Staudamm und das Zusammenwirken von Oberflächenwasser und Grundwasser zu berücksichtigen. Die Umsetzung der vorgeschlagenen Schutzzonen für das Brunnenfeld und das Reservoir wird dringend empfohlen, da die Ergebnisse ein extremes Kontaminationsrisiko durch Viehzucht, Ackerbau und menschliche Besiedlung entlang des Wadis zeigen. Die angewandten Methoden können auf andere künstliche Grundwasseranreicherungsanlagen in ähnlichen Karstgebieten semiarider Regionen übertragen werden.RésuméLes aquifères karstiques dans les régions semi-arides sont particulièrement menacés par une contamination provenant de la surface, surtout pendant les saisons hivernales où prévaut une pluviométrie extrêmement variable de fortes intensités. Un défi supplémentaire existe lorsque la gestion de la recharge par les eaux pluviales est. appliquée, car les aquifères karstiques présentent une grande variabilité spatiale des propriétés hydrauliques. Dans ces cas, des concepts de protection adaptée sont nécessaires pour traiter la question des interactions entre les eaux de surface et les eaux souterraines. Dans cette étude, une approche combinée de protection est. développée pour le bassin versant du site de recharge de l’aquifère au niveau du réservoir de Wala en Jordanie et du champ de captage d’Hidan situé en aval hydraulique, tous les deux sujets à une contamination bactériologique fréquente. La variabilité de la qualité des eaux souterraines a été évaluée en corrélant les événements de contamination avec les précipitations, et à la recharge à partir du réservoir. Les deux déclenchent une augmentation du débit de l’oued en aval du réservoir due à la génération d’un ruissellement de surface et à l’infiltration vers les eaux souterraines, respectivement. Un essai de traçage a vérifié la voie principale de l’écoulement de surface dans le sous-sol par infiltration à partir des bassins situés le long de l’oued Wala. Une carte de la vulnérabilité intrinsèque du karst et de risque a été adaptée aux caractéristiques régionales et élaborée pour prendre en considération la séparation des bassins versants par le barrage de Wala et l’interaction entre les eaux de surface et les eaux souterraines. La mise en œuvre des zones de protection proposées pour le champ de captage et le réservoir est. fortement recommandée, car les résultats suggèrent un risque de contamination extrême résultant de l’élevage, de l’agriculture et des habitations le long de l’oued. Les méthodes appliquées peuvent être transférées à d’autres sites de recharge des aquifères dans des environnements karstiques similaires en régions semi-arides.ResumenLos acuíferos kársticos de las regiones semiáridas están particularmente amenazados por la contaminación desde la superficie, especialmente durante las estaciones invernales cuando prevalecen lluvias extremadamente variables de altas intensidades. Un desafío adicional se plantea cuando se aplica gestión de la recarga de aguas pluviales, ya que los acuíferos kársticos muestran una alta variabilidad espacial de sus propiedades hidráulicas. En estos casos, se requieren conceptos de protección adaptados para abordar la interacción entre el agua superficial y subterránea. En este estudio se desarrolla un enfoque combinado de protección para la cuenca superficial de un sitio de recarga del acuífero gestionado en el embalse de Wala en Jordania y el campo de pozos Hidan aguas abajo, ambos sujetos a una frecuente contaminación bacteriológica. La variabilidad de la calidad del agua subterránea se evaluó mediante la correlación de los eventos de contaminación con las precipitaciones y la recarga desde el embalse. Ambos desencadenan el aumento del flujo del wadi, río abajo del reservorio por la generación de escorrentía de superficie y filtración de agua subterránea, respectivamente. Una prueba de trazadores verificó la trayectoria principal del flujo superficial en el subsuelo por infiltración a partir de estanques a lo largo de Wadi Wala. Se adaptó un mapa de vulnerabilidad intrínseca y de riesgo kárstico a las características regionales y se desarrolló para tener en cuenta la separación de las cuencas por la presa de Wala y la interacción del agua superficial y subterránea. La implementación de las zonas de protección propuestas para el pozo y el embalse es altamente recomendable, ya que los resultados sugieren un riesgo extremo de contaminación como resultado de la ganadería, la agricultura y la ocupación humana a lo largo del wadi. Los métodos aplicados pueden ser transferidos a otros sitios gestionados de recarga de acuíferos en ambientes kársticos similares de regiones semiáridas.摘要半干旱地区的岩溶含水层特别容易受到地表污染的威胁,尤其是在极度变化的高强度降雨盛行的冬季。在应用雨水作为补给的时候还有额外的挑战,因为岩溶含水层的水文特性空间变化很大。在这些情况下,需要适合的保护概念来强调地表水和地下水的相互作用。在本研究中,对约旦Wala储水地区管理的含水层补给地地表流域及下游的Hidan井场提出了一项组合保护方法,这两个区域常常受到微生物的污染。通过污染事件与降雨以及污染与储水地补给的对比,评价了水质的变化性。两者分别通过产生地表径流和地下水渗漏导致旱谷流向下游的水流增加。示踪实验证实了地表水流从沿Wala旱谷的池塘入渗进入地下的主要通道。针对区域特征对固有的岩溶脆弱性和风险图进行了改编并改进,来说明Wala大坝的流域划分和地表水与地下水的相互作用。强烈建议在井场和储水地建立提出的保护帶,因为研究结果表明,沿旱谷的畜牧耕作、耕地农业和人类侵占致使污染风险极高。这个实用方法可应用在半干旱区域类似岩溶环境种其它管理的含水层补给场地。.ResumoAquíferos cársticos em regiões semiáridas são particularmente ameaçados por contaminação superficial, especialmente durante as estações de inverno quando prevalecem precipitações extremamente variáveis e de alta intensidade. Um desafio adicional é criado quando o gerenciamento de recarga da água da chuva é aplicado, já que os aquíferos cársticos apresentam uma alta variabilidade espacial de propriedades hidráulicas. Nestes casos, são necessários conceitos de proteção adaptados para abordar a interação entre águas superficiais e subterrâneas. Nesse estudo, desenvolveu-se uma abordagem de proteção combinada para a captação superficial na área de gerenciamento de recarga no reservatório Wala, na Jordânia, e no campo de poços Hidan, a jusante, ambos sujeitos à frequente contaminação bacteriológica. A variabilidade da qualidade das águas subterrâneas foi avaliada correlacionando os eventos de contaminação com a precipitação e recarga do reservatório. Ambos desencadeiam o aumento do fluxo do Wadi a jusante do reservatório pela geração do escoamento superficial e infiltração das águas subterrâneas, respectivamente. Um teste de traçadores verificou o caminho principal do fluxo superficial para o subsolo por infiltração de lagoas ao longo do Wadi Wala. Um mapa de vulnerabilidade intrínseca e risco do cárste foi adaptado às características regionais e desenvolvido para explicar a separação da bacia hidrográfica pela barragem de Wala e a interação entre águas superficiais e subterrâneas. A implementação das zonas de proteção propostas para o campo de poços e o reservatório é altamente recomendado, já que os resultados sugerem um risco extremo de contaminação resultante da pecuária, agricultura e ocupação humana ao

Grundwasser - Mensch - Ökosysteme : 25. Tagung der Fachsektion Hydrogeologie in der DGGV 2016, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), 13.-17. April 2016

Das Thema dieses Tagungsband lautet „Grundwasser, Mensch und Okosysteme“. Die vielfaltigen Aspekte dieses Themas werden in 13 thematischen Sessions und im Forum Junger Hydrogeologen intensiv diskutiert. Abgerundet wird das Programm durch drei spannende Keynote Lectures und eine popularwissenschaftliche Abendveranstaltung sowie Fortbildungskurse am Tag vor der Konferenz und Exkursionen im Anschluss an die Tagung.1 RWTH Aachen University, Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, Aachen, Germany 2 Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Department of Fundamental Electricity and Instrumentation, Brussels, Belgium 3 Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Department of Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering, Brussels, Belgium 4 Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research UFZ, Department of Hydrogeology, Leipzig, Germany

Challenges of Implementing IWRM in the Lower Jordan Valley

The Lower Jordan Valley in the Middle East comprises parts of Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Territories and is amongst the water scarcest regions worldwide. As the average water availability per person is below 150 m³/year, this region is facing absolute water scarcity. The water resource systems are overexploited and subject to further stress through high population growth, climate change and the recent migration of refugees from Syria. Declining water levels of the Dead Sea and within the regional aquifers are visible evidence of overexploitation. Further, salinization and contamination including pharmaceutical residues in surface and groundwater indicate the strong deterioration of water quality by anthropogenic activities. Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) is a concept to address these water related issues but needs to be incorporated into the water strategies of the riparian states. SMART (Sustainable Management of Available Resources with Innovative Technologies) is a research and development project within the framework of IWRM and has the overall goal to develop a transferable concept for a sustainable water resource management in the Lower Jordan Valley. Besides natural available freshwater, unconventional sources such as treated waste water, artificially recharged groundwater, and desalinated brackish groundwater are considered. Based on detailed water balances, management concepts have been developed and applied to allow the assessment of the current state of the water resources, as well as the future development, taking the actions of the respective water strategy into account. The SMART approach is transferable to other regions in the world suffering under natural and/or manmade water scarcity.

SMART - IWRM - Sustainable Management of Available Water Resources with Innovative Technologies - Integrated Water Resources Management in the Lower Jordan Rift Valley : Final Report Phase II (KIT Scientific Reports ; 7698)

SMART was a multi-lateral research project with partners from Germany, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Territories. The overall goal was to develop a transferable approach for Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the water shortage region of the Lower Jordan Valley. The innovative aspect addressed all available water resources: groundwater and surface waters, but also wastewater, brackish water and flood water that need to be treated for use.