Dynamics of hydrological and geomorphological processes in evaporite karst at the eastern Dead Sea – a multidisciplinary study
<p>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...
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Copernicus Publications
2021-06-01
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Series: | Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
Online Access: | https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/25/3351/2021/hess-25-3351-2021.pdf |
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record_format |
Article |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
D. Al-Halbouni D. Al-Halbouni R. A. Watson E. P. Holohan R. Meyer U. Polom F. M. Dos Santos X. Comas H. Alrshdan H. Alrshdan C. M. Krawczyk C. M. Krawczyk T. Dahm T. Dahm |
spellingShingle |
D. Al-Halbouni D. Al-Halbouni R. A. Watson E. P. Holohan R. Meyer U. Polom F. M. Dos Santos X. Comas H. Alrshdan H. Alrshdan C. M. Krawczyk C. M. Krawczyk T. Dahm T. Dahm Dynamics of hydrological and geomorphological processes in evaporite karst at the eastern Dead Sea – a multidisciplinary study Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
author_facet |
D. Al-Halbouni D. Al-Halbouni R. A. Watson E. P. Holohan R. Meyer U. Polom F. M. Dos Santos X. Comas H. Alrshdan H. Alrshdan C. M. Krawczyk C. M. Krawczyk T. Dahm T. Dahm |
author_sort |
D. Al-Halbouni |
title |
Dynamics of hydrological and geomorphological processes in evaporite karst at the eastern Dead Sea – a multidisciplinary study |
title_short |
Dynamics of hydrological and geomorphological processes in evaporite karst at the eastern Dead Sea – a multidisciplinary study |
title_full |
Dynamics of hydrological and geomorphological processes in evaporite karst at the eastern Dead Sea – a multidisciplinary study |
title_fullStr |
Dynamics of hydrological and geomorphological processes in evaporite karst at the eastern Dead Sea – a multidisciplinary study |
title_full_unstemmed |
Dynamics of hydrological and geomorphological processes in evaporite karst at the eastern Dead Sea – a multidisciplinary study |
title_sort |
dynamics of hydrological and geomorphological processes in evaporite karst at the eastern dead sea – a multidisciplinary study |
publisher |
Copernicus Publications |
series |
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences |
issn |
1027-5606 1607-7938 |
publishDate |
2021-06-01 |
description |
<p>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 <span class="inline-formula">m</span> 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 (<span class="inline-formula"><</span> 25 <span class="inline-formula">m</span> 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 (<span class="inline-formula"><</span> 30 <span class="inline-formula">m</span> depth) surrounding the main depression area. Shear wave seismic
reflection data nearly 1 <span class="inline-formula">km</span> 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<span id="page3352"/> 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.</p> |
url |
https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/25/3351/2021/hess-25-3351-2021.pdf |
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doaj-f91934270e3e4622806de7dfb95a8a132021-06-16T12:43:13ZengCopernicus PublicationsHydrology and Earth System Sciences1027-56061607-79382021-06-01253351339510.5194/hess-25-3351-2021Dynamics of hydrological and geomorphological processes in evaporite karst at the eastern Dead Sea – a multidisciplinary studyD. Al-Halbouni0D. Al-Halbouni1R. A. Watson2E. P. Holohan3R. Meyer4U. Polom5F. M. Dos Santos6X. Comas7H. Alrshdan8H. Alrshdan9C. M. Krawczyk10C. M. Krawczyk11T. Dahm12T. Dahm13Physics of Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Helmholtz Centre –German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, Potsdam 14473, GermanyDynamics of the Ocean Floor, Seafloor Modelling Group, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Wischhofstr. 1–3, Kiel 24148, GermanyIrish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (iCRAG), UCD School of Earth Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, IrelandIrish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (iCRAG), UCD School of Earth Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, IrelandDepartment of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, Copenhagen 1350, DenmarkDepartment S1 - Seismics, Gravimetry, and Magnetics, Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics, Stilleweg 2, Hanover 30655, GermanyInstituto Dom Luís, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande Edifício C1, Lisbon 1749-016, PortugalDepartment of Geosciences, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USAMDA/IDC, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, Vienna International Centre, Vienna, AustriaMinistry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Mahmoud Al Moussa Abaidat Street, Amman 140027, JordanPhysics of Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Helmholtz Centre –German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, Potsdam 14473, GermanyInstitute for Applied Geosciences, TU Berlin, Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, Berlin 10587, GermanyPhysics of Earthquakes and Volcanoes, Helmholtz Centre –German Research Centre for Geosciences, Telegrafenberg, Potsdam 14473, GermanyInstitute of Earth and Environmental Science-Earth Sciences, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24–25, Potsdam 14476, Germany<p>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 <span class="inline-formula">m</span> 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 (<span class="inline-formula"><</span> 25 <span class="inline-formula">m</span> 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 (<span class="inline-formula"><</span> 30 <span class="inline-formula">m</span> depth) surrounding the main depression area. Shear wave seismic reflection data nearly 1 <span class="inline-formula">km</span> 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<span id="page3352"/> 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.</p>https://hess.copernicus.org/articles/25/3351/2021/hess-25-3351-2021.pdf |