A study published in Scientific Reports mapped hidden pathways where saline water from the Dead Sea moves into the surrounding land of the Jordan Rift Valley. Using 195 field measurements across 12 square kilometres in Ghor Al-Haditha, researchers found saltwater moving through ravines and geological faults into the shallow aquifer, reaching about 100 metres deep and extending up to 1.75 kilometres inland.
The most severe intrusion was recorded in Wadi Bin Hammad, northwest of Karak. There the seepage follows an active strip of sinkholes that have swallowed agricultural areas and cut off roads. Farmers report increased soil salinity, salty well water, yellowing leaves, lower yields and changed fruit taste; many have left land because they cannot afford extra irrigation or testing.
Jafar Abu Rajab of Hashemite University warned that small changes in the balance between Dead Sea saltwater and fresh groundwater can have dramatic effects, and he noted the lack of accurate official data on well salinity. External experts recommended supporting the physical maps with chemical analyses of well water and drilling monitoring wells to reduce risks.
The researchers say the maps can serve as an early warning tool to help communities avoid digging wells in dangerous areas, guide water projects to safer locations and protect drinking water. They also warned that similar problems could affect other parts of the Arab region, such as the Nile Delta and the Persian Gulf coast, where pumping and rising waters threaten groundwater.
- Map leakage paths
- Use chemical analyses of wells
- Drill monitoring wells
- Avoid wells in high-risk zones
Difficult words
- intrusion — movement of water into an area with fresh groundwater
- seepage — slow flow of liquid through soil or rock
- aquifer — underground layer that holds groundwater for wells
- salinity — amount of salt dissolved in water or soil
- sinkhole — a hole in the ground formed by collapsesinkholes
- monitoring well — hole drilled to test and watch groundwatermonitoring wells
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could maps of leakage paths help local communities and water managers in practice? Give specific examples from the article.
- What short-term and long-term actions should farmers or authorities take to protect drinking water and agriculture where salinity is rising?
- The article mentions other regions at risk (Nile Delta, Persian Gulf coast). What similarities or differences might make those regions more or less vulnerable to saline intrusion?
