scholarly journals Vulnerability of tourism development to salt karst hazards along the Jordanian Dead Sea shore

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Najib Abou Karaki ◽  
Simone Fiaschi ◽  
Killian Paenen ◽  
Mohammad Al-Awabdeh ◽  
Damien Closson
Keyword(s):  
Sea Water ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Dead Sea ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Karst System ◽  
Base Level ◽  
Geological Discontinuities ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Remote Sensing Techniques ◽  
The 1960S

Abstract. The Dead Sea shore is a unique young and dynamic evaporite karst system. It started developing in the 1960s, when the main water resources that used to feed the terminal lake were diverted towards deserts, cities and industries. The Dead Sea water level started to lower at an accelerating pace, exceeding 1 meter per year during the last decade, causing a hydrostatic disequilibrium between the underground fresh waters and the base level. This battery-like system provides the energy needed for the development of underground cavities, hectometre-size landslides, and vertical erosion of channels during flash-floods. The geological discontinuities are the weakest points where the system can re-balance and where most of the energy is dissipated through erosional processes. Groundwater is moving rapidly along these discontinuities to reach the dropping base level. The salt that soars the sediments matrix is dissolved along the paths favouring the development of enlarged conduits, cavities, and the proliferation of ground collapses (sinkholes). Despite these unfavourable environmental conditions, large touristic projects have flourished along the northern coast of the Jordanian Dead Sea. In this work, thanks to the application of remote sensing techniques combined with repeated field observations, we show that a 10 kilometres-long strip of land along the Dead Sea shore that encompass several touristic infrastructures is exposed to subsidence, sinkholes and landslides. Furthermore, we point out the importance of setting up an early warning system to warn the authorities prior to the triggering of hazardous events, limiting or preventing possible disastrous consequences related to hydrogeological hazards.

scholarly journals Exposure of tourism development to salt karst hazards along the Jordanian Dead Sea shore

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 2111-2127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Najib Abou Karaki ◽  
Simone Fiaschi ◽  
Killian Paenen ◽  
Mohammad Al-Awabdeh ◽  
Damien Closson
Keyword(s):  
System Development ◽  
Tourism Development ◽  
Dead Sea ◽  
Northern Coast ◽  
Base Level ◽  
Geological Discontinuities ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Multi Method Approach ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Salt Karst

Abstract. The Dead Sea shore is a unique, young and dynamic salt karst system. Development of the area began in the 1960s, when the main water resources that used to feed the Dead Sea were diverted towards deserts, cities and industries. During the last decade, the water level has fallen by more than 1 m per year, causing a hydrostatic disequilibrium between the underground fresh waters and the base level. Thousands of underground cavities have developed as well as hectometre-sized landslides. Despite these unfavourable environmental conditions, large tourism development projects have flourished along the northern coast of the Jordanian Dead Sea. In this work, which is based on a multi-method approach (analyses of radar and optical satellite data, in situ observations, and public science), we show that a 10 km long strip of coast that encompass several resorts is exposed to subsidence, sinkholes, landslides and flash floods. Geological discontinuities are the weakest points where the system can re-balance and where most of the energy is dissipated through erosional processes. Groundwater is moving rapidly along fractures to reach the dropping base level. The salt that fills the sediments matrix is dissolved along the water flow paths favouring the development of enlarged conduits, cavities and then the proliferation of sinkholes. The front beaches of the hotels, the roads and the bridges are the most affected infrastructure. We point out the importance for the land planners to include in the Dead Sea development schemes the historical records and present knowledge of geological hazards in the area.

Gypsum saturation degrees and precipitation potentials from Dead Sea - seawater mixtures

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Itay J. Reznik ◽  
Jiwchar Ganor ◽  
Assaf Gal ◽  
Ittai Gavrieli
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Theoretical Calculations ◽  
Dead Sea ◽  
Gypsum Precipitation ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Rate Of Decline ◽  
The 1960S

Environmental context. Since the 1960s the Dead Sea water level has dropped by nearly 30 m and over the last decade the rate of decline accelerated to over 1 m per year. Conveying seawater to the Dead Sea to stabilise or even raise its water level is currently being considered but may result in ‘whitening’ of the surface water through the formation of minute gypsum crystals that will remain suspended in the water column for a prolonged period of time. This paper is a first step in attaining the relevant physical and chemical parameters required to assess the potential for such whitening of the Dead Sea. Abstract. Introduction of seawater to the Dead Sea (DS) to stabilise its level raises paramount environmental questions. A major concern is that massive nucleation and growth of minute gypsum crystals will occur as a result of mixing between the SO42–-rich Red Sea (RS) water and Ca2+-rich DS brine. If the gypsum will not settle quickly to the bottom it may influence the general appearance of the DS by ‘whitening’ the surface water. Experimental observations and theoretical calculations of degrees of saturation with respect to gypsum (DSG) and gypsum precipitation potentials (PPT) were found to agree well, over the large range but overall high ionic strength of DS–RS mixtures. The dependency of both DSG and PPT on temperature was examined as well. Based on our thermodynamic insights, slow discharge of seawater to the DS will result in a relatively saline upper water column which will lead to enhanced gypsum precipitation.

scholarly journals Sinkholes and uvalas in evaporite karst: spatio-temporal development with links to base-level fall on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea

Solid Earth ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1451-1468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Watson ◽  
Eoghan P. Holohan ◽  
Djamil Al-Halbouni ◽  
Leila Saberi ◽  
Ali Sawarieh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Water ◽  
Dead Sea ◽  
Eastern Coast ◽  
Temporal Development ◽  
Evaporite Karst ◽  
Base Level ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Karst Landscapes

Abstract. Enclosed topographic depressions are characteristic of karst landscapes on Earth. The developmental relationship between depression types, such as sinkholes (dolines) and uvalas, has been the subject of debate, mainly because the long developmental timescales in classical limestone karst settings impede direct observation. Here we characterize the morphometric properties and spatio-temporal development of ∼1150 sinkholes and five uvalas formed from ∼1980 to 2017 in an evaporite karst setting along the eastern coast of the hypersaline Dead Sea (at Ghor Al-Haditha, Jordan). The development of sinkhole populations and individual uvalas is intertwined in terms of onset, evolution and cessation. The sinkholes commonly develop in clusters, within which they may coalesce to form compound or nested sinkholes. In general, however, the uvalas are not defined by coalescence of sinkholes. Although each uvala usually encloses several clusters of sinkholes, it develops as a larger-scale, gentler and structurally distinct depression. The location of new sinkholes and uvalas shows a marked shoreline-parallel migration with time, followed by a marked shoreline-perpendicular (i.e. seaward) growth with time. These observations are consistent with theoretical predictions of karstification controlled by a laterally migrating interface between saturated and undersaturated groundwater, as induced by the 35 m fall in the Dead Sea water level since 1967. More generally, our observations indicate that uvalas and the sinkhole populations within them, although morphometrically distinct, can develop near-synchronously by subsidence in response to subsurface erosion.

Dead Sea Water Levels Analysis Using Artificial Neural Networks and Firefly Algorithm

2022 ◽  
pp. 1118-1129
Author(s):  
Nawaf N. Hamadneh
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Neural Networks ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Firefly Algorithm ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Dead Sea ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Artificial Neural ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Predicted Values

In this study, the performance of adaptive multilayer perceptron neural network (MLPNN) for predicting the Dead Sea water level is discussed. Firefly Algorithm (FFA), as an optimization algorithm is used for training the neural networks. To propose the MLPNN-FFA model, Dead Sea water levels over the period 1810–2005 are applied to train MLPNN. Statistical tests evaluate the accuracy of the hybrid MLPNN-FFA model. The predicted values of the proposed model were compared with the results obtained by another method. The results reveal that the artificial neural network (ANN) models exhibit high accuracy and reliability for the prediction of the Dead Sea water levels. The results also reveal that the Dead Sea water level would be around -450 until 2050.

Stream channel convexity induced by continuous base level lowering, the Dead Sea, Israel

Geomorphology ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 92 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 60-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Bowman ◽  
Yonit Shachnovich-Firtel ◽  
Shlomo Devora
Keyword(s):  
Dead Sea ◽  
Stream Channel ◽  
Base Level ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Level Lowering

scholarly journals Dead Sea evaporation by eddy covariance measurements vs. aerodynamic, energy budget, Priestley–Taylor, and Penman estimates

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 1135-1155 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jutta Metzger ◽  
Manuela Nied ◽  
Ulrich Corsmeier ◽  
Jörg Kleffmann ◽  
Christoph Kottmeier
Keyword(s):  
Energy Budget ◽  
Water Budget ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Dead Sea ◽  
Eddy Covariance Measurements ◽  
Lake Evaporation ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Storage Term

Abstract. The Dead Sea is a terminal lake, located in an arid environment. Evaporation is the key component of the Dead Sea water budget and accounts for the main loss of water. So far, lake evaporation has been determined by indirect methods only and not measured directly. Consequently, the governing factors of evaporation are unknown. For the first time, long-term eddy covariance measurements were performed at the western Dead Sea shore for a period of 1 year by implementing a new concept for onshore lake evaporation measurements. To account for lake evaporation during offshore wind conditions, a robust and reliable multiple regression model was developed using the identified governing factors wind velocity and water vapour pressure deficit. An overall regression coefficient of 0.8 is achieved. The measurements show that the diurnal evaporation cycle is governed by three local wind systems: a lake breeze during daytime, strong downslope winds in the evening, and strong northerly along-valley flows during the night. After sunset, the strong winds cause half-hourly evaporation rates which are up to 100 % higher than during daytime. The median daily evaporation is 4.3 mm d−1 in July and 1.1 mm d−1 in December. The annual evaporation of the water surface at the measurement location was 994±88 mm a−1 from March 2014 until March 2015. Furthermore, the performance of indirect evaporation approaches was tested and compared to the measurements. The aerodynamic approach is applicable for sub-daily and multi-day calculations and attains correlation coefficients between 0.85 and 0.99. For the application of the Bowen ratio energy budget method and the Priestley–Taylor method, measurements of the heat storage term are inevitable on timescales up to 1 month. Otherwise strong seasonal biases occur. The Penman equation was adapted to calculate realistic evaporation, by using an empirically gained linear function for the heat storage term, achieving correlation coefficients between 0.92 and 0.97. In summary, this study introduces a new approach to measure lake evaporation with a station located at the shoreline, which is also transferable to other lakes. It provides the first directly measured Dead Sea evaporation rates as well as applicable methods for evaporation calculation. The first one enables us to further close the Dead Sea water budget, and the latter one enables us to facilitate water management in the region.

scholarly journals Dead Sea evaporation by eddy covariance measurements versus aerodynamic, energy budget, Priestley–Taylor, and Penman estimates

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jutta Metzger ◽  
Manuela Nied ◽  
Ulrich Corsmeier ◽  
Jörg Kleffmann ◽  
Christoph Kottmeier
Keyword(s):  
Linear Function ◽  
Heat Storage ◽  
Sea Water ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Vapour Pressure Deficit ◽  
Dead Sea ◽  
Eddy Covariance Measurements ◽  
The Dead ◽  
Daily Evaporation ◽  
Storage Term

Abstract. The Dead Sea water budget is no longer in equilibrium. The lake level decline exceeds 1 m a−1 and causes severe environmental problems, such as a shifting of the fresh/saline groundwater interface and climatic changes. As the Dead Sea is a terminal lake, located in an arid environment, evaporation is the key component of the Dead Sea water budget and accounts for the main loss of water. However, the actual amount of evaporation as well as the governing factors are unknown. Therefore, for the first time, long-term eddy covariance measurements were performed for a period of one year, starting in March 2014. The total annual amount measured at this location was 994 ± 81 mm a−1. The median daily evaporation rate reaches 4.3 mm d−1 in July and only 1.1 mm d−1 in December. The wind velocity and vapour pressure deficit were identified as the main governing factors of evaporation throughout the year. Consequently, the local wind systems define the diurnal evaporation cycle. In the evening, strong downslope winds govern the wind field and cause evaporation amounts which are up to 100 % higher than during daytime, and also during the night evaporation rates are accelerated compared to daytime evaporation, due to strong northerly along-valley flows. Furthermore, a robust and reliable regression model is presented to calculate sub-daily and multiday evaporation values with a linear function of wind velocity and vapour pressure deficit. An overall correlation coefficient of 0.8 is achieved and the cross validation results in a prediction error of 4.8 %. Finally, indirect evaporation approaches were tested for their applicability for the Dead Sea and compared to the measurements. The aerodynamic approach is applicable for sub-daily and multi-day calculations and attains correlation coefficients between 0.85 and 0.99. For the application of the Bowen-Ratio-Energy-Balance (BREB) method and the Priestley–Taylor method, measurements of the heat storage term are inevitable to calculate evaporation on time scales up to one month. Without the heat storage term, the equations yield strong seasonal biases and over- or underestimate daily evaporation rates by up 100 %. The usage of an empirically gained linear function or a hysteresis model depending on the net radiation to estimate the heat storage term was not accurate enough to provide reliable evaporation amounts. The Penman equation was adapted to calculate realistic evaporation amounts, by using an empirically gained linear function for the heat storage term. The correlation coefficients are above 0.9, the daily mean difference is only 0.5 mm d−1 and the estimated annual amount is within the range of the measurement uncertainties. In summary, this study provides the first directly measured amounts of Dead Sea evaporation and applicable methods to calculate evaporation.

scholarly journals Dynamics of hydrological and geomorphological processes in evaporite karst at the eastern Dead Sea – a multidisciplinary study

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 3351-3395
Author(s):  
Djamil Al-Halbouni ◽  
Robert A. Watson ◽  
Eoghan P. Holohan ◽  
Rena Meyer ◽  
Ulrich Polom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Groundwater Flow ◽  
Shear Wave ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Dead Sea ◽  
Stream Channels ◽  
Evaporite Karst ◽  
Base Level ◽  
Geomorphological Processes ◽  
The Dead

Abstract. Karst groundwater systems are characterized by the presence of multiple porosity types. Of these, subsurface conduits that facilitate concentrated, heterogeneous flow are challenging to resolve geologically and geophysically. This is especially the case in evaporite karst systems, such as those present on the shores of the Dead Sea, where rapid geomorphological changes are linked to a fall in base level by over 35 m since 1967. Here we combine field observations, remote-sensing analysis, and multiple geophysical surveying methods (shear wave reflection seismics, electrical resistivity tomography, ERT, self-potential, SP, and ground-penetrating radar, GPR) to investigate the nature of subsurface groundwater flow and its interaction with hypersaline Dead Sea water on the rapidly retreating eastern shoreline, near Ghor Al-Haditha in Jordan. Remote-sensing data highlight links between the evolution of surface stream channels fed by groundwater springs and the development of surface subsidence patterns over a 25-year period. ERT and SP data from the head of one groundwater-fed channel adjacent to the former lakeshore show anomalies that point to concentrated, multidirectional water flow in conduits located in the shallow subsurface (< 25 m depth). ERT surveys further inland show anomalies that are coincident with the axis of a major depression and that we interpret as representing subsurface water flow. Low-frequency GPR surveys reveal the limit between unsaturated and saturated zones (< 30 m depth) surrounding the main depression area. Shear wave seismic reflection data nearly 1 km further inland reveal buried paleochannels within alluvial fan deposits, which we interpret as pathways for groundwater flow from the main wadi in the area towards the springs feeding the surface streams. Finally, simulations of density-driven flow of hypersaline and undersaturated groundwaters in response to base-level fall perform realistically if they include the generation of karst conduits near the shoreline. The combined approaches lead to a refined conceptual model of the hydrological and geomorphological processes developed at this part of the Dead Sea, whereby matrix flow through the superficial aquifer inland transitions to conduit flow nearer the shore where evaporite deposits are encountered. These conduits play a key role in the development of springs, stream channels and subsidence across the study area.

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