Isotope based assessment of groundwater recharge and pollution in water scarce areas: A case study in Jordan

The study of environmental chloride, deuterium and nitrate has been carried out in sand profiles in two locations in Jordan. The first location is in the Quaternary sediments and sandstones of Al Quwayra in southern Jordan where the average rainfall is less than 70 mm per year. The study concluded that there is no modern recharge in the studied site in southern Jordan. The second location is in the Kurnub sandstone outcrop near to Jarash in northern Jordan. The average rainfall in the area is 500 mm per year and thus significant recharge is possible in that area. The study showed that the annual recharge to the aquifer in that area is about 28 mm per year. The third location consists of four cores is in the alluvium Mudflat deposits of Azraq Oasis. The average rainfall in this area is about 67 mm per year which occur as storms between January and March. (author)