Weathering processes effects on the chemistry of the main springs of the Yarmouk Basin North Jordan

Abstract

Major cations and anions of main spring waters in the Yarmouk Basin of north Jordan were measured to assess the effects of weathering and geochemical processes in the basin area. The area has a semi-arid type of climate. A total of 36 water samples were collected from springs in 2006 to monitor the water chemistry. Chemical analysis of spring waters show that the concentration of the cations is of order Ca>Na>Mg>K while that for anions is Cl>HCO3>NO3>SO4. Statistical analyses indicate positive correlation between the following pairs of parameters: Cl and Mg (r = 0.49), Cl and K (r = 0.46), Cl and Na (r = 0.74), SO4 and Mg (r = 0.23), and SO4 and K (r = 0.20). Water shows varying chemical facies (Ca-SO4, Mg- SO4, Na-SO4 ), which relates to the interaction with the geological formations of the basin (carbonates, dolomite, marl, basalt and various silicates) and evaporation. The dissolution of halite, calcite, dolomite and gypsum explains part of the observed Na, Ca, Mg, Cl, SO4 and HCO3, but other processes, such as cation exchange and weathering of aluminosilicates also contribute to the water composition.