Paper Title
Electrical Conductivity for Estimating Submarine Groundwater Discharge into the Eastern Shores of the Dead Sea-Jordan
Abstract
This study was carried out to estimate the submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) into the eastern shores of the
Dead Sea (DS). The inductive electrical conductivity (EC), temperature (T) and total dissolved solids (TDS) of water were
measured in this study. In situ different profiles at different sites with different sediment zones were carried out by using
inductive electrical conductivity probe. The profiles were carried out at Sweimah area, Zara area, Zarka Ma’in area and
Mujeb area. The EC, T and TDS were taken of more than 80 m depth into the Dead Sea salt water. The electrical
conductivity also of the groundwater of the springs and wells at the area surrounding the Dead Sea were measured. The
Dead Sea divides into two layers relating to the electrical conductivity and temperature with depth. The upper layer
subdivides into two members. The upper member extends from the sea surface down to a depth of 15-25 m. The lower
member extends from a depth of 15-25 m to 40 m and it characterized with high TDS and low EC. The second layer extends
from a depth of 40 m to the end of profiles. The submarine groundwater discharged into the Dead Sea in the upper 16 m in
Sweimah area. It is discharged in the upper 25 m in Zarka Ma’in area, in the upper 15 m in Zara and it is discharged in the
upper 18 m in Mujeb. The volume of the groundwater (V2) was estimated by measured the EC (C2) of the groundwater, the
volume of the mixing zone of the Dead Sea saline water (Vmix) and the EC (Cmix) of the mixing zone. The volume of the
mixing zone was calculated by multiply the distance from the shorelines toward the sea by the depth of the mixing zone and
the long of the shorelines for the four zones. The total volume of the groundwater discharge into the DS was estimated of
180 MCM/.
Keywords - Groundwater, Dead Sea, Electrical conductivity, Submarine groundwater Discharge, mixing zones