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Groundwater exploration and production in arid Jordan

The water providers of Jordan are constantly seeking to find new water resources to supply the public. Water table depths of up to 250 m, dry aquifers and saline waters make it increasingly difficult to successfully strike exploitable groundwater. We provided geoelectrical measurements for the exploration of a new well field area and set up a preliminary a-priori model for the interpretation of the geoelectrical results. Borehole geophysical logs, data on salinity content and subsurface interpretations greatly helped to get a detailed mapping of subsurface structures in the pilot area. To improve drilling success, geoelectrical investigation should be regarded as a mandatory step in the exploration process for new boreholes in Jordan. The sustainability of groundwater use started to be challenged in the 80es when the first deep water wells were drilled. In addition, pump capacities increased and groundwater-based irrigated agriculture expanded since then. However, there are still big challenges that need to be addressed at national level. This includes improving operation and maintenance of well fields, basic well monitoring in order to increase energy efficiency to bring rising costs of water production under control. Through support of the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the BGR aims at improving the sustainable management of groundwater resources.

Details

Author
Falk Lindenmaier, Gerhard Kapinos, Mark Gropius, Klaus Holzner, Florian Brückner, Daniel van Rooijen, Rebecca Bahls, Mathias Toll
Institutionen
Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe, Germany
Veranstaltung
GeoKarlsruhe 2021
Datum
2021
DOI
10.48380/dggv-b6hn-aq35