Environmental contamination of groundwater in the Gaza Strip |
| |
| Authors: | M R Al-Agha |
| |
| Institution: | (1) Department of Geology, Islamic University Gaza, PO Box 108, Gaza Strip;(2) Department of Geology, The University, M139PL Manchester, UK;(3) 58 Cooper House, M15 6DX Manchester, UK |
| |
| Abstract: | Environmental problems of groundwater contamination in the Gaza Strip are summarized in this paper. The Gaza Strip is a very narrow and highly populated area along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea (360 km2). Human activities greatly threaten the groundwater resources in the area, while the unconfined nature of some parts of the coastal main aquifer favors groundwater contamination. Recent investigations show contamination of the aquifer with organic substances from detergents, agrochemicals, sewage (cesspools), and waste degradation. These effects enhance each other because there is no recycling industry, sewage system, or any type of environmental protection management at present. Inorganic contamination results from overpumping, which increases the salinity of the groundwater. Seawater intrusion also increases the salinity of the groundwater that are used for drinking and agricultural purposes. Consequently, at present about 80 percent of the groundwater in the Gaza Strip is unfit for both human and animal consumption. Solutions are very urgently needed for these problems in order to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases. |
| |
| Keywords: | Kaza Strip West Bank Groundwater Hydrogeology Hydrology Environmental pollution Contamination Middle East |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ |
|
