Ion chemistry of waters impounded by the Ziqlab dam, Jordan, and weathering processes - a case study

The area included in the present investigation is that surrounding Ziqlab dam in the northern Jordan Valley. The water chemistry of the impounded lake shows that it is dominated by Mg, Ca, Na and HCO3. These waters reflects the dominance of carbonate weathering with some contribution of silicates. Mg + Ca + Na and HCO3 + Cl account for about 90% of the total cations and anions. X-ray analysis shows that, kaolinte and illite are the dominant clay minerals in sediments behind Ziqlab dam. Anthropogenic activities within the Ziqlab catchments area contribute to increasing of the ionic concentrations. These include various development activities in the catchments area, waste disposal (especially the untreated municipal and domestic sewage) into the Ziqlab River, and agricultural activities. Ziqlab darn water chemistry is within the range of stability field of kaolinite.