THE SALINIZATION MECHANISM OF LAKE KINNERET

The source of brine that has caused the salinization of Lake Kinneret is still disputed. Another controversial issue is whether the driving head of the brine is freshwater dependent, or whether it has a driving head of its own. This paper describes the various hypotheses regarding the origin of the brine and the salinization mechanism in the lake. Although the question of brine origin remains unanswered, statistical analyses (e.g. linear correlations) of the annual chloride contribution to the lake (SBB), and annual water inflows from Lake Kinneret saline springs and ground water (QB), indicate that these parameters are inversely related. This phenomenon means that the fresh water in the aquifers draining into Lake Kinneret has a regulating effect on brine discharges. The aquifers should therefore not be overutilized, as the hydraulic head acts as ballast controlling emergence of the brine in the lake shores and bottom. Although developed for Lake Kinneret, the identification procedure of the QB-SBB relationship may be used for other lakes, contributing towards a better understanding of the mechanisms governing their salinization.