Nabil Amacha

Groundwater Quality in the Upper Litani River Basin

Groundwater in the Upper Litani River Basin (ULRB) has in recent years become highly vulnerable to contamination, thus impacting socioeconomic development and community resilience in the basin. Drivers—such as anthropogenic pressures, high infiltration of karstic aquifer features, and climatic changes—are the causes of extensive stress on this important resource. Although unsustainable agricultural practices still have the most widespread impact on groundwater quality, wastewater and solid waste (SW) disposal from urbanized agglomerations and industrial enterprises have increasingly become serious sources of pollution. In the absence of comprehensive long-term monitoring programs, the findings of several projects and studies have recorded high nitrate, total dissolved solids, and fecal coliform levels exceeding standard limits for drinking water and irrigation purposes in different zones across the basin. Although the concentrations of some heavy metals may be still too low to generate acute adverse health impacts, their effects may become serious in the near future given the sudden increase in population due the surge of Syrian refugees into the basin and the changing climatic conditions. Specifically, the nitrate level, which exceeds the suitability limits for irrigation, currently stands as a major concern and may cause economic and productivity losses, especially with low levels of farmer extension services and poor agricultural practices. Supported by international-development programs, noteworthy national efforts have been initiated to enhance basin management. However, political conflicts, unclear institutional responsibilities, and economic challenges may impede effective implementation. This review calls for a long-term monitoring of groundwater quality and addresses the need to consider groundwater quality as an integral component for the management of water resources of the basin.

Assessment of the Efficiency of a Pilot Constructed Wetland on the Remediation of Water Quality; Case Study of Litani River, Lebanon

The potential use of constructed wetlands to remediate polluted rivers is promising and has recently received a great deal of interest. This study aims at evaluatingthe efficiency of a constructed wetland of the Litani River in Lebanon using two types of aquatic plants, Phragmites australis and Sparganium erectum. Comparative analysis of the mean values of water quality parameters of the inflow and outflow water of the wetland system was conducted during the period of April 2014 and July 2015. Findings show statistically significant improvement in water quality parameters. Hence, results clearly show the efficiency of the constructed wetland in the remediation of the polluted river water and the important role of the aquatic macrophytes in remediation. In conclusion, the studied wetland provides an efficient sustainable approach towards the integrated river basin management of Litani River. Further comprehensive studies to better illustrate the role of aquatic plants in the remediation process are needed.