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Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1007/s10040-016-1394-y
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Title (Primary) The investigation of fault-controlled groundwater recharge within a suburban area of Damascus, Syria
Author Wannous, M.; Siebert, C. ORCID logo ; Tröger, U.
Source Titel Hydrogeology Journal
Year 2016
Department CATHYD
Volume 24
Issue 5
Page From 1185
Page To 1197
Language englisch
Keywords Syria; Stable isotopes; Groundwater recharge/water budget; Dolomite
UFZ wide themes RU2;
Abstract Al-Mazraa is a heavily populated suburb of Damascus (Syria) with agricultural activity. It is adjacent to the Cretaceous Qassioun Mountain Range, from which it is structurally separated by the Damascus fault. Al-Mazraa waterworks abstracts from a shallow Quaternary aquifer, whose recharge processes are unidentified. The functions of Qassioun Mountain, the Damascus fault, the agricultural activities, the ascending deeper groundwater, and the through-flowing Tora River are not well understood and they are, hence, subject to study. The application of hydrochemical parameters and ratios in combination with signatures of δD and δ18O revealed that recharge predominantly occurs in the outcropping Cretaceous rocks through subsurface passages rather than through influent conditions of the Tora River or through direct rainfall. Interestingly, high Na/Cl ratios indicate contact with volcanic rocks which exist within the Cretaceous anticline and also in the subsurface of the studied Quaternary aquifer. Evidence for deeper circulating groundwater is given, since replenishing waters are up to 4 °C warmer and have much lower nitrate concentrations than the groundwater in the study area. From these points, it is indicated that the Damascus fault is conductive in respect to groundwater, rather than being impermeable, as it is elsewhere.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=17542
Wannous, M., Siebert, C., Tröger, U. (2016):
The investigation of fault-controlled groundwater recharge within a suburban area of Damascus, Syria
Hydrogeol. J. 24 (5), 1185 - 1197 10.1007/s10040-016-1394-y