Marwan Alraggad

Pharmaceuticals, Their Metabolites, and Other Polar Pollutants in Field-Grown Vegetables Irrigated with Treated Municipal Wastewater.

The reuse of treated municipal wastewater for crop irrigation is a necessity in arid and semiarid regions but a potential entrance for emerging contaminants into the food chain. However, little attention has yet been paid to the detection of micropollutants and possible metabolites in vegetables grown under realistic field conditions. In this study, the uptake of 28 micropollutants and carbamazepine metabolites in 10 different field-grown vegetable species (among them carrot, lettuce, potato, and zucchini) from Jordan was studied. A total of 12 micropollutants and six carbamazepine metabolites, four of which have never been analyzed before in plant-uptake studies, could be detected in all of the samples in concentrations ranging from 1.7 to 216 ng per g of dry weight. In edible tissues, the total concentration of micropollutants decreased in the order of leafy (247-533) > root (73-126) > fruit-bearing (5-76 ng per g of dry weight) vegetables. A preliminary health-risk assessment for nine compounds according to the TTC concept shows no risk for seven of the micropollutats; for ciprofloxacin and 10,11-epoxycarbamazepine, however, more-specific toxicity data would be required for a refined risk assessment.

Challenges to estimate surface- and groundwater flow in arid regions: the Dead Sea catchment.

The overall aim of the this study, which was conducted within the framework of the multilateral IWRM project SUMAR, was to expand the scientific basement to quantify surface- and groundwater fluxes towards the hypersaline Dead Sea. The flux significance for the arid vicinity around the Dead Sea is decisive not only for a sustainable management in terms of water availability for future generations but also for the resilience of the unique ecosystems along its coast. Coping with different challenges interdisciplinary methods like (i) hydrogeochemical fingerprinting, (ii) satellite and airborne-based thermal remote sensing, (iii) direct measurement with gauging station in ephemeral wadis and a first multilateral gauging station at the river Jordan, (iv) hydro-bio-geochemical approach at submarine and shore springs along the Dead Sea and (v) hydro(geo)logical modelling contributed to the overall aim. As primary results, we deduce that the following: (i) Within the drainage basins of the Dead Sea, the total mean annual precipitation amounts to 300 mm a(−1) west and to 179 mm a(−1) east of the lake, respectively. (ii) The total mean annual runoff volumes from side wadis (except the Jordan River) entering the Dead Sea is approximately 58–66 × 10(6) m(3) a(−1) (western wadis: 7–15 × 10(6) m(3) a(−1); eastern wadis: 51 × 10(6) m(3) a(−1)). (iii) The modelled groundwater discharge from the upper Cretaceous aquifers in both flanks of the Dead Sea towards the lake amounts to 177 × 10(6) m(3) a(−1). (iv) An unexpected abundance of life in submarine springs exists, which in turn explains microbial moderated geo-bio-chemical processes in the Dead Sea sediments, affecting the highly variable chemical composition of on- and offshore spring waters.The results of this work show a promising enhancement of describing and modelling the Dead Sea basin as a whole.

An LC-MS/MS method for the determination of 28 polar environmental contaminants and metabolites in vegetables irrigated with treated municipal wastewater

An analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 28 wastewater-derived contaminants and possible metabolites (e.g. carbamazepine, 10,11-epoxy-carbamazepine, benzotriazole, lamotrigine, and diclofenac) in common plant tissues with high water content (lettuce, cabbage, and tomato) was developed and validated. The developed method combines solid–liquid extraction, without the need for a clean-up step, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with electrospray ionization in positive and negative modes. This method was compared with the known QuEChERS method and exhibited better analytical performance. Method detection limits of ≤2.0 ng g−1 dry weight and absolute recoveries of >60% with high intra- and inter-day precision (RSD < 10%) could be achieved for 71% of the target analytes in four different matrices (cabbage, lettuce and tomato leaves, and tomato fruits). Compared to the QuEChERS method, the developed method allows the determination of a wide range of compounds with different physical–chemical properties (neutral, acidic, and basic) and considers even possible metabolites of pharmaceuticals in plant materials. The developed method was successfully applied to analyse wastewater-derived contaminants and their metabolites in plants which were grown under greenhouse and real field conditions. It could be shown that this method is suitable for the sensitive determination of environmental contaminants originating from treated wastewater and a range of their metabolites in irrigated plants and their edible parts. Due to its broadness the extraction method should also be suitable for screening of unknown contaminants and metabolites by LC high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Assessing anthropogenic impacts on limited water resources under semi-arid conditions: three-dimensional transient regional modelling in Jordan

Both increasing aridity and population growth strongly stress freshwater resources in semi-arid areas such as Jordan. The country’s second largest governorate, Irbid, with over 1 million inhabitants, is already suffering from an annual water deficit of 25 million cubic meters (MCM). The population is expected to double within the next 20 years. Even without the large number of refugees from Syria, the deficit will likely increase to more then 50 MCM per year by 2035 The Governorate’s exclusive resource is groundwater, abstracted by the extensive Al Arab and Kufr Asad well fields. This study presents the first three-dimensional transient regional groundwater flow model of the entire Wadi al Arab to answer important questions regarding the dynamic quality and availability of water within the catchment. Emphasis is given to the calculation and validation of the dynamic groundwater recharge, derived from a multi-proxy approach, including (1) a hydrological model covering a 30-years dataset, (2) groundwater level measurements and (3) information about springs. The model enables evaluation of the impact of abstraction on the flow regime and the groundwater budget of the resource. Sensitivity analyses of controlling parameters indicate that intense abstraction in the southern part of the Wadi al Arab system can result in critical water-level drops of 10 m at a distance of 16 km from the production wells. Moreover, modelling results suggest that observed head fluctuations are strongly controlled by anthropogenic abstraction rather than variable recharge rates due to climate changes.RésuméTant l’augmentation de l’aridité que la croissance de la population posent un problème important concernant les ressources en eau douce dans des zones semi-arides, telle que la Jordanie. Le deuxième plus grand gouvernorat du pays, Irbid, avec plus d’un million d’habitants, souffre déjà d’un déficit hydrique annuel de 25 millions de mètres cubes (MCM). La population devrait doubler dans les 20 prochaines années. Même sans le grand nombre de réfugiés de Syrie, le déficit augmentera vraisemblablement à plus de 50 MCM par année d’ici 2035. La ressource exclusive du Gouvernorat est l’eau souterraine, exploitée à partir de vastes champs captants d’Al Arab et de Kufr Asad. Cette étude présente le premier modèle d’écoulement régional tridimensionnel en régime transitoire de l’ensemble du Wadi al Arab pour répondre aux importantes questions concernant la qualité dynamique et la disponibilité de l’eau au sein du bassin. L’accent est mis sur le calcul et la validation de la recharge dynamique des eaux souterraines, dérivés d’une approche multi-proxy, comprenant (1) un modèle hydrologique concernant un ensemble de données de 30 ans, (2) des mesures de niveaux d’eau souterraine et (3) des informations sur les sources. Le modèle permet d’évaluer l’impact des prélèvements sur le régime d’écoulement et sur le bilan des ressources en eau souterraine. Les analyses de sensibilité des paramètres de contrôle indiquent que des prélèvements intenses dans la partie sud du système du Wadi al Arab peut entraîner des diminutions sévères du niveau d’eau de 10 m à une distance de 16km des puits de production. En outre, les résultats du modèle suggèrent que les fluctuations de la charge hydraulique sont fortement contrôlées par les prélèvements anthropiques plutôt que par des taux de recharge variables associées au changement climatique.ResumenTanto la creciente aridez como el crecimiento demográfico hacen énfasis en los recursos de agua dulce en las zonas semiáridas, como Jordania. La segunda mayor gobernación del país, Irbid, con más de 1 millón de habitantes, ya sufre un déficit hídrico anual de 25 millones de metros cúbicos (MCM). Se espera que la población se duplique en los próximos 20 años. Incluso sin el gran número de refugiados de Siria, el déficit probablemente aumentará a más de 50 MCM por año para 2035. El recurso exclusivo de la gobernación es el agua subterránea, que se extrae en los extensos campos de pozos de Al Arab y Kufr Asad. Este estudio presenta el primer modelo tridimensional transitorio de flujo de agua subterránea de todo el Wadi al Arab para responder a preguntas importantes sobre la dinámica, calidad y la disponibilidad de agua dentro de la cuenca. Se hace hincapié en el cálculo y validación de la dinámica de la recarga del agua subterránea, derivada de un enfoque multi-proxy, que incluye: (1) un modelo hidrológico que cubre un conjunto de datos de 30 años; (2) medidas de nivel de agua subterránea y (3) información acerca de los manantiales. El modelo permite evaluar el impacto de la extracción sobre el régimen de flujo y el balance del agua subterránea del recurso. Los análisis de sensibilidad de los parámetros de control indican que la intensa extracción en la parte sur del sistema de Wadi al Arab puede resultar en descensos de nivel de agua de 10 m a una distancia de 16 km de los pozos de producción. Por otra parte, los resultados del modelado sugieren que las fluctuaciones observadas en la carga hidráulica están fuertemente controladas por la extracción antropogénica más que por las tasas variables de recarga debido a los cambios climáticos.摘要日益增加的干旱和人口增长使半干旱地区的淡水资源倍感紧张,诸如约旦。该国的第二大省伊尔比德人口超过100万,早已经受着每年缺水2500万立方水的痛苦。预计未来20年内人口是现在的两倍。即使没有大量来自叙利亚的难民,到2030年每年的水短缺将超过5000万立方。省内的唯一资源是地下水,被广阔的Al Arab 和 Kufr Asad井场抽取。本研究提出了整个Al Arab 和 Kufr Asad地区第一个三维瞬时区域地下水流模型,以回答有关流域内水的动态水质及可用量的重要问题。强调了根据多代理方法得到的动态地下水补给量的计算和验证结果,多代理方法包括:(1)包含30年数据集的水文模型;(2)地下水位测量及(3)有关泉的信息。模型能够评价抽水对水流场及资源的地下水平衡的影响。控制参数的灵敏度分析表明,干谷al Arab系统南部的强烈抽水可导致距抽水井16公里的地方水位下降10米。此外,模拟结果显示,观测到的水头波动受到人为抽水的强烈控制,而不是受到由于气候变化导致的变化着的补给量的控制。ResumoTanto a crescente aridez quanto o crescimento populacional estressam fortemente os recursos de água doce em áreas semiáridas, como a Jordânia. A segunda maior província do país, Irbid, com mais de 1 milhão de habitantes, já sofre com um déficit hídrico anual de 25 milhões de metros cúbicos (MMC). Espera-se que a população dobre nos próximos 20 anos. Mesmo sem o grande número de refugiados da Síria, o déficit provavelmente aumentará para mais de 50 MMC por ano até 2035. O recurso exclusivo da província é agua subterrânea, abstraída pelos extensivos campos de poços Al Arab e Kufr Asad. Esse estudo apresenta o primeiro modelo transiente regional tridimensional de fluxo das águas subterrâneas de todo o Wadi al Arab para responder importantes questões a respeito da qualidade dinâmica e disponibilidade de água dentro da bacia hidrográfica. A ênfase é dada ao cálculo e validação da recarga dinâmica das águas subterrâneas, derivada de uma abordagem multi-proxy, incluindo (1) um modelo hidrológico incluindo um conjunto de dados de 30 anos, (2) medições de nível das águas subterrâneas e (3) informações sobre nascentes. O modelo permite a avaliação do impacto da abstração no regime de fluxo e no balanço de águas subterrâneas do manancial. A análise de sensibilidade de parâmetros controlados indica que a extração intensa na parte sul do sistema Wadi al Arab pode resultar em quedas críticas do nível freático de 10 m a uma distância de 16 km dos poços de produção. Além disso, os resultados da modelagem sugerem que as flutuações das cargas observadas são fortemente controladas pela abstração antropogênica ao invés de taxas de recarga variáveis devido a alterações climáticas.

Spatial mapping of the social value of forest services: A case study of northern Jordan

ABSTRACT Despite the growing body of research on ecosystem services and their valuation, Jordan still faces many challenges with integration of ecosystem service concepts into forest sustainability policy and management planning. One major challenge is the incorporation of local communities into policy design, planning, and implementation. This article aims to provide information about the social value of forests’ provisioning and cultural services in a spatial context using Geographical Information Systems (GIS). The study utilizes a new approach to mapping value in rural areas by projecting local forest value from interview data. A value index is created based on indicated importance of services as well as proximity to households, permitting interpolation of value in forested areas between survey points. The resulting maps illustrate ecosystem service “hotspot” areas of significance to planning and management. This mapping technique can be applied in other locations where homes are situated near and within the ecosystems being assessed. The resulting maps serve to inform forest management policy and planning by better integrating communities’ preferences into development and conservation efforts, ensuring more efficient utilization of ecosystem services.

Groundwater resilience to climate change in the eastern Dead Sea basin Jordan

Pumping of 82 MCM/yr from Mujib basin (Eastern Dead Sea), coupled with the 54 MCM/yr recharge rate, has led to diminished groundwater levels and dramatically affects ecosystem services. Climate change compounds these issues by reducing recharge and increasing the ecosystem’s hydrological demand. This paper investigates groundwater resilience to climatic changes in Mujib basin by modeling resilience for the years 2014 and 2050. Resilience of groundwater was modeled to long term changes as “low” in the central parts of the study area due to low saturated thickness and high pumping rates. Resilience was modeled as “high” to “very high” in areas with high saturated thickness and higher replenishment rates. Water budget components were modeled through the J2000 hydrological model; giving a groundwater recharge of 54 MCM/yr. Statistical downscaling of global circulation models indicated a 21% decline in precipitation by the year 2080 with 2 and 3° increases in maximum and minimum temperature respectively. Recharge for the year 2050 was recalculated based on the downscaling and prediction results to be 30% less than current recharge. Continuous over-pumping with recharge reduction will cause a 30–70% reduction in saturated thickness by the same year. Modeling groundwater resilience under the new conditions showed a severe impact on the study area especially the central parts which are expected to comprise a semi dry aquifer by 2050. Key words: Jordan, Dead Sea, groundwater resilience, climate change.