Water treatment by plasticized organic membrane - German-Arab ...

THE SIXTH ENVIRONMENTAL SYMPOSIUM OF GERMAN‐ARAB SCIENTIFIC FORUM FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
AACHEN, GERMANY
OCTOBER, 1 and 2, 2012
Environmental Protection in the Middle East and North Africa
- Water Resources, Air and Soils -
Program & Book of Abstracts
Organized by
GERMAN-ARAB SCIENTIFIC FORUM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
And
DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AND HYDROLOGY, RWTH
AACHEN UNIVERSITY, AACHEN, GERMANY
Organizers:
German‐Arab Scientific Forum for Environmental Studies, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
(Prof. Dr. Fathi Zereini, Dr. Awni Sarrar).
Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
(Prof. Dr. Rafig Azzam, Prof. Dr. Thomas Rüde)
1

Monday, October 1.2012
13:30 – 14:15 Registration
14:15 – 14:30 Opening and welcome
Session 1: Water Resources, Protection and Management (Chairman: Mr. Martin
Rother)
14:30 – 14:55 Rother, M., Schlote, A., Bluemel, M., Helms, F.: Facing Water
Scarcity in Arid Regions: From Monitoring to Water Balancing in the
Aleppo Basin, Syria
14:55 – 15:20 Steinel, A., Hamdan, I., Schelkes, K., Subah, A.: On the Designation
of Areas for Managed Aquifer Recharge in the Amman-Zarqa and
Azraq Basins, Jordan
15:20 – 15:45 Andreas Renck, Carol Chouchani Cherfane: Shared Water
Resources in Western Asia: Contributions by the ESCWA-BGR
Cooperation
15:45 – 16:10 Maßmann, J., Huber, M., Hennings, V., Schelkes, K., Droubi, A.:
Dissemination and Development of the WEAP-MODFLOW DSS -
Lessons Learnt from 5 Years of Experience -
16:10 – 16:40 Break and Poster Presentation
16:40 – 17:05 Heike Neukum (née WERZ), Maren Rapp, Leif Wolf, Wasim Ali,
Heinz Hötzl: Artificial recharge in NW-Jordan: Existing Studies and
Identification of potential sites
17:05 – 17:30 Harald Kirsch, Mahmoud Abu-Rumman: The Royal Department for
Environment Protection / Rangers in Jordan: Tasks and Specific Roles
in Water Resource Protection
19:00 Conference Dinner
2

Tuesday, October 2.2012
Session 2: Air Pollution and Protection (Chairman:Prof. Dr. Boris Bonn)
9:00 – 9:25 Boris Bonn: Effect of air pollution on the emission of plants and local
aerosol particle
9.25 – 9:50 Eberhard Reimer: Long Term Transports of PM10 over Tehran
Province and Northern Iran
9:50 – 10:15 Sahar Sodoudi, Eberhard Reimer, Ines Langer: Micro climate
Simulation in new Town ‘Hashtgerd’ / Iran
Session 3: Water conflicts (Chairman: Dr. Fawzy Naji)
10:15 – 10:40 Victoria van der Land, Diana Hummel: Climate change, Land
Degradation, and Mobility in Mali and Senegal: Examining the Social-
Ecological Conditions of Migration
10:40 – 11:05 Fawzy Naji: Water Conflicts in the Middle East: The Jordan River
Basin
11:05 – 11:30 Break and Poster Presentation
Session 4: Environmental Protection (Chairman: Dr. Heike Neukum)
11:30 – 11:55 Ahmad Salem Jumah, Qasem Abu-Haija, Mahmud Aburoman,
Raed Abusamen: The Experience of Jordan Police in the Field of
Environment Protection
11:55 – 120:20 Kurt Heinrichs: Investigation of salt weathering on stone monuments
by use of a modern wireless sensor network exemplified for the rockcut
monuments in Petra / Jordan
12:20 – 12:45 Anika Braun, Christoph Neukum, Rafig Azzam: Transport of
engineered silver nanoparticles through saturated porous media
12:45 – 13:10 Shahrazad Abu Ghazleh, Stephan Kempe: Shrinkage of the Dead
13:10 – 14:30 Lunch Break
Sea, Jordan: Problems and Alternative Solutions.
3

Session 4: Environmental Protection (Chairman: Dr. Kurt Heinrichs)
14.30 – 14:55 Achite Mohammed: Drought Analysis in the lower cheliff – Mina area
(Northwest Algeria): Using the PCA method
14:55 – 15:20 Melegy, A.A., Shaban, A.M., Hassan, M.M., Salman, S.A.:
Distribution of heavy metals in groundwater of Sohag Governorate,
Egypt
15:20 – 15:45 Ykhlef Laidani, Salah Hanini, Ghania Henini: Adsorption of
phenolic compounds from wastewater using vegetal cords
15:45 – 16:10 Kabri Fatima Zahra, Zatout Ahlam, Imane Yahia Samet, Ouagued
Abdallah, Djafer lahcène: Water treatment by plasticized organic
membrane
4

Poster
ZATOUT Ahlam, KABRI Fatima Zahra, Imane Yahia Samet & OUAGUED Abdallah:
Effect of chemical fertilizers on the underground water in EL-AMRA State Ain Defla.
Algeria
Ahmed Melegy, Ismael S. Ismael: Paleoenvironmental implications of Messinian Gypsum
deposits from the Northern Coast Egypt
Paul Miessner, Thomas R. Rüde: The influence of anthropogenically affected water types
on the solubility of Morrocan Jurassic dolomites (Sefrou; Middle Atlas)
Ghania HENINI, Ykhlef LAIDANI, Salah HANINI, Fatiha SOUAHI: A New material for
the removal of heavy metals in aqueous waste
S. ROCHDANE, A. EL MANDOUR, M. JAFFAL, M. HIMI, M. Amrhar,A. Casas:
Contribution of the gravimetry to the hydrogeological study of the eastern Haouz plain and
Tassaout, Western Morocco
Bessedik Amina, Allam R, Abdallah-Bouamrane K, Bekkouche-Benziane N.:
Characterization and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Nigella sativa
Fathi Elosta: Proposed study in the environmental geological to explore for oil shale valley
Tanezzuft Murzuq basin for use in power generating in Libya
F. Guitarni, A. Djafer , S. Kouadri Moustefai: BIODEGRADATION OF RED BIMACID
DYE BY IMMOBILIZED CELLS ON POUZZOLANA FIXED BED
Naїma BETTAHAR, Soumia KOUADRI MOUSTEFAI: - The factors of nitrate leaching
in semi-arid zones - Case of the valley of the Middle Western Cheliff (North Algeria)
Wahiba Mahouche, Soumia Kouadri Moustefai, Mustapha Douani: Numerical modeling
of atmospheric pollutants dispersion
Imane Yahia Samet, ZATOUT Ahlam, KABRI Fatima Zahra & OUAGUED Abdallah:
Physical-chemical analysis of leachate from domestic waste to the town of Chlef
(Discharge Meknassa
BEN MESSAOUD Btissam, ABOUMERIEME Imane, LAHRACH Zakaria, ISMAILI
Mohammed, IBIJBIJEN Jamal & NASSIRI Laila: BIOFERTILIZERS: A way to fight
against soil pollution
5

Session 1: Water Resources, Protection and Management
6

Facing Water Scarcity in Arid Regions:
From Monitoring to Water Balancing in the Aleppo Basin, Syria
Rother, M. (*) , Schlote, A., Bluemel, M., Helms, F.
Bundesanstalt für Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (BGR), Hannover
(*): corresponding author: Martin.Rother@bgr.de
Abstract:
Extensive parts of the Arab World are found among the driest areas on earth. Syria, along
with many of its neighboring countries, suffers from water scarcity on the large scale. Its
water demand exceeds estimated renewable water resources by 10-20 percent according to
different authors. Over the past years this deficit led to a considerable drawdown of water
tables in many parts of the country. The Aleppo Basin is situated in northwestern Syria,
covering an area of about 12,000 km 2 . Once, part of the famous “Fertile Crescent” with more
favorable climatic conditions in the past, recent rainfall ranges from around 500 mm/a in the
northwestern hilly regions to 100 mm/a in the southeastern planes only.
Under the pressure of a fast growing population, increased groundwater abstraction and a
warming climate, the region is in need of an improved water resources management. A vital
precondition for this task is the provision of means for proper monitoring and thorough
examination. In the Aleppo Basin these requirements are fulfilled by a groundwater
monitoring network consisting of 278 wells, 38 of which currently are equipped with
automatic probes to measure water level, temperature and electrical conductivity. In addition,
the remaining wells are monitored manually on a regular basis. To support the approval,
storage and processing of all data, a data management system based on open source software
(PostgreSQL) was developed. Accompanied by an user-friendly graphical interface it
facilitates the generation of reliable reports as well as the exchange of data with different
external programs.
In combination with further information such as water demand, abstraction from rivers, soil
maps, as well as remotely sensed data on precipitation and land use, this system enables the
Syrian water authorities to derive a realistic water balance of the basin. For this purpose, the
modeling software WEAP was applied, allowing for the integration of all relevant water
supplies and demands as well as related costs. Furthermore, it enables the development of
scenarios to assess the influence of different factors, such as population growth, climate
variability or changes in the cultivation, on the available groundwater resources. This
provides not only the means for a better water resources planning, but also assists in achieving
a more sustainable economic development of the area.
7

On the Designation of Areas for Managed Aquifer Recharge
in the Amman-Zarqa and Azraq Basins, Jordan
Steinel, A.* (1) , Hamdan, I. (2) , Schelkes, K. (1) , Subah, A. (3)
(1): Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Germany
(2): formerly Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural (BGR), Amman
(3): Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI), Jordan
(*): Corresponding author (anke.steinel@bgr.de)
In almost all aquifers in Jordan, groundwater levels are falling due to over abstraction of
groundwater. Exploiting mainly unutilized water resources like the sporadic runoff in
ephemeral wadis (so called ‘flash floods’) for local groundwater recharge is therefore a worthwhile
measure to increase groundwater resources. In a bilateral project, the BGR supports the Jordanian
Ministry of Water and Irrigation (MWI) in their potential to successfully use managed aquifer
recharge (MAR) via infiltration of storm water runoff. The year-long study, funded by the German
Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), focuses on the two most
overexploited basins: Amman-Zarqa and Azraq.
Based on a review of international practices for infiltration of surface runoff recommendations for
future implementation of managed aquifer recharge sites in Jordan were developed. A number of
challenges were identified in Jordan. One limitation, for example, is the restricted supply of water, as
rainfall can be as low as 50-100 mm/a. In such areas flash floods might occur only once a year or even
less often and hence, the cost-benefit analysis for building and maintaining the needed infrastructure is
low. Another problem is the high amount of fine suspended solids in the runoff leading to the clogging
of infiltration structures and high maintenance costs. In addition, the remoteness of large areas also
leads to some limitations and last but not least, limited data on runoff quantity and quality as well as
on soil and aquifer characteristics reduces the successful identification of good recharge sites. It is
worthwhile that a feasibility study for a MAR site should hence be based on a solid database and will
generally require a lead time to collect representative data over some years.
The main tasks for this study comprise the development of a map for MAR potential, the subsequent
identification of suitable sites for pilot projects and the preparation of a guideline for the
implementation and regulations of MAR in Jordan. The practicability of the identification scheme was
successfully tested, even if most of the suitable MAR sites in the pilot areas were already used for
water harvesting or had to be skipped due to various constraints. In addition, the partially scarce data
base as well as the short time span of the study allowing for only some additional field work hindered
a more accurate and robust result.
Generally, the support of BGR to the partner institution in the application of the MAR concept and its
implementation in the context of the Jordanian national water strategy is of high relevance in the
context of development aid policy. By focusing on small scale initiatives, the project provides locally
suitable solutions for the improvement of the critical water situation in the semiarid regions including
aspects of adaptation to climate change.
8

Andreas Renck 1 , Carol Chouchani Cherfane 2
Shared Water Resources in Western Asia:
Contributions by the ESCWA‐BGR Cooperation
(1) BGR Principal Advisor and Team Leader, ESCWA-BGR Water Cooperation, andreas.renck@bgr.de
(2) Chief, Water Resources Section, Sustainable Development and Productivity Division, ESCWA,
chouchanicherfane@un.org
United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN ESCWA), Sustainable Development and
Productivity Division (SDPD), P.O. Box 11-8575, Riad El-Solh 1107 2270, Beirut, Lebanon,
ABSTRACT
The management of shared water resources is of paramount importance in the arid Arab region, where
most water resources are shared between countries and where the availability of freshwater is
becoming increasingly scarce. Shared water basins have always played a significant role in linking
populations and cultures, and creating hydrological, social and economic interdependencies between
countries. Enhancing inter-state cooperation on shared water issues is one of the main objectives of the
regional water cooperation program implemented by the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and
Natural Resources (BGR) in partnership with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission
for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA). The program has engaged in several activities at technical,
institutional and legal levels to support ESCWA member countries in the assessment, management and
governance of shared water resources.
“The Inventory of Shared Water Resources in Western Asia” is the first UN-led effort to take stock of
both shared groundwater and surface water resources in the region in a comprehensive, systematic and
unified manner. The inventory aims at (1) documenting the state of shared water resources and their
use, (2) improving the knowledge base and facilitating access to information on shared water
resources, (3) creating awareness for the importance of shared water resources among decision
makers, experts and the general public (4) stimulating an informed discussion within and among
riparian countries, and (5) supporting regional processes towards improved dialogue and cooperation
over shared water resources. The inventory covers all Arab countries in Western Asia, and also
includes ground- and surface water resources shared with non-Arab riparian countries, namely Iran,
Israel and Turkey. Detailed information on shared basins is presented in 27 chapters, of which 18 are
on shared aquifer systems (Table 1). All chapters follow a unified structure, presenting up-to-date
information on hydrology, hydrogeology, water resources development and use, as well as the status
of cooperation and management. The inventory is the result of a scientific process, which gains added
value through a comprehensive review and consultation process with experts and country
representatives.
ESCWA and BGR also support the Arab Ministerial Water Council in the formulation of a legal
framework for shared waters in the Arab region which is built on accepted principles and customary
law as well as regional specificities and experiences. Adoption of such a legal instrument by Arab
countries would lead to a unified legal position of the region towards cooperation, allocation and
management of shared water resources and strengthen Arab solidarity by encouraging cooperation
over this vital resource.
9

Table 1: Shared surface water basins and aquifer systems identified in the Inventory
Geographical
Sub-region
Shared water basin/Inventory chapter
Surface water
Riparian countries
THE MASHREK Jordan River Basin Israel, Jordan, Lebanon,
Palestine, Syria
Orontes River Basin Lebanon, Syria, Turkey
Nahr el Kabir River Basin Lebanon, Syria
Qweik River Basin Syria, Turkey
MESOPOTAMIA Euphrates River Basin Iraq, Syria, Turkey
Shared Tributaries of the Euphrates River Syria, Turkey
Tigris River Basin Iran , Iraq, Syria, Turkey
Shared Tributaries of the Tigris River Iran, Iraq, Turkey
Shatt El Arab sub-basin including Karkheh and
Karun Rivers
Groundwater
Iran, Iraq
THE ARABIAN Saq-Ram Aquifer System (West) Jordan, Saudi Arabia
PENINSULA Wajid Aquifer System Saudi Arabia, Yemen
Wasia–Biyadh-Aruma Aquifer System (South):
Tawila-Mahra/Cretaceaous Sands
Saudi Arabia, Yemen
Wasia–Biyadh-Aruma Aquifer System (North):
Sakaka-Rutba
Iraq, Saudi Arabia
Umm er Radhuma-Dammam Aquifer System Oman, Saudi Arabia, United
(South): Rub‘ al Khali
Arab Emirates, Yemen
Umm er Radhuma-Dammam Aquifer System Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab
(Center): Gulf
Emirates
Umm er Radhuma-Dammam Aquifer System
(North): Widyan-Salman
Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
Tawil Quaternary Aquifer System: Wadi Sirhan
Basin
Jordan, Saudi Arabia
THE MASHREK Anti-Lebanon Aquifer System Lebanon, Syria
Western Mountain Aquifer Basin Israel, Palestine (Egypt)
Coastal Aquifer Basin Israel, Palestine (Egypt)
Basalt Aquifer System (West): Yarmouk Basin Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria
Basalt Aquifer System (South East): Azraq
Basin
Jordan, Saudia Arabia, Syria
MESOPOTAMIA Taurus-Zagros: Bekhme Pila Spi Iran, Iraq, Turkey
Jazeera Tertiary Limestone Aquifer System Turkey, Syria
Neogene Aquifer System (North West), Upper
and Lower Fars: Jezira Basin
Iraq, Syria
Neogene Aquifer System (South East), Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia
Dibdibba-Kuwait Group: Dibdibba Delta Basin
Neogene Aqiufer System (East): Bai Hassan
Mukdadia
Iran, Iraq
10

Dissemination and Development of the WEAP-MODFLOW DSS
‐ Lessons Learnt from 5 Years of Experience ‐
Maßmann, J. (1) , Huber, M (2) , Hennings, V. (1) , Schelkes, K. (1) , and Droubi, A. (3)
(1): Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources, Germany (BGR)
(2): GeoTools, München
(3): formerly at The Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands, Syria (ACSAD)
(*): Corresponding author (jobst.massmann@bgr.de)
Keywords: Groundwater, water management, WEAP, MODFLOW, DSS
Within the framework of an Arab‐German technical cooperation project, the Federal Institute for
Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) and the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry
Lands (ACSAD) had started with the development and testing of an easy to use and inexpensive
Decision Support System (DSS) for integrated water resources management. Now, they can look back
on more than 5 years of practical experience in the dissemination and enhancement of the WEAP‐
MODFLOW DSS. Today, this WEAP‐MODFLOW DSS is implemented in several catchment areas in the
Arab region located in Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, Syria and Palestine. It supports the local decision
makers in the general understanding of the development of the water budget with time and the
assessment of water relevant issues. Many application studies were initiated by workshops and have
been accompanied by on‐the‐job training over years. The feedback and evaluation of the workshops
as well as many discussions with WEAP trainers and users led to a continuous improvement of the
workshop concept.
Furthermore, suggestions for the enhancement of WEAP had been seized and discussed with
software developers resulting in new software solutions. The most crucial one is the linkage between
WEAP and MODFLOW. Since groundwater is the most important water resource in many Arab
regions, the consideration of groundwater flows and drawdowns is essential. Recently, the tool
which creates the linkage between WEAP and MODFLOW has been enhanced. It provides now a
graphical interactive user interface allowing the user to link WEAP to MODFLOW without any need of
additional software.
Other important enhancements are the integration of a functional soil water balance model, based
on the FAO 56 paper, the particle tracking model MODPATH and an optimization tool for abstraction
rates, taking into account the drawdown of the water table, water prices and water quality.
The software developments have been done in cooperation with the Stockholm Environment
Institute (SEI, www.weap21.net), GeoTools and the National Institute of Agronomy of Tunisia (INAT).
This contribution will focus on the lessons learnt from the dissemination and implementation of a
DSS in the Arab region as well as on the recent software developments.
11

Applying of new technologies in frame of a Integrated Water Resources Management
Concept for the Jordan Valley
Associate Professor Dr. Wasim Ali, Institute of Applied Geosciences, Section Hydrogeology,
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (former Karlsruhe University), Karlsruhe, Germany
Email: Wasim.ali@kit.edu
Abstract
The Jordan Valley is a region in the Middle East with mainly an arid to semiarid climate. This
region is characterized through water resources scarcity and draught.
The SMART project supported by the German Ministry of Science and Research (BMBF) in
the Jordan Valley Region try to apply new technologies to come up with a concept for a
balanced integrated water resources management Strategy as an example for water planner
and stake holder in similar Regions. This concept can in the same time be applied in other
countries in the Middle East and North Africa. In this paper the main objectives of SMART
project and some new results will be presented and discussed.
In addition to the presented results, this paper try to appeal and emphasis water resources
scientists, researchers and experts to set together and to analyze the achieved results of
many other projects in this region dealing with water management in the last decades. The
goal of these activities is to propose a practicable water management and water security
strategy for some regions in the Middle East and North Africa. At least for similar neighboring
countries in both regions.
This strategy or strategies will help planner and stake holder to secure the Water demand of
the populations and develop practical solutions for normal and for emergency situations
which occur often and unexpected.
12

The Royal Department for Environment Protection / Rangers in Jordan:
Tasks and Specific Roles in Water Resource Protection
- Dr. Harald Kirsch, c/o GIZ, P.O. Box 926238, Amman 11190, Jordan, haraldcm@hotmail.com
- Lt. Colonel Mahmoud Abu-Rumman, c/o Royal Department for Environment
Protection, P.O. Box 935, Amman 11110, Jordan,
mahmoudaburumman@hotmail.com
The duties assigned to the Royal Department for Environment Protection (Rangers)
include the preservation and protection of the natural resources in Jordan and the safety and
well-being of the public using these resources.
Water is a limiting factor in Jordan’s development efforts. Water abstraction exceeds
the long-term safe yield. Natural factors such as arid to semiarid climate as well as
demographic changes, socio-economic growth and the subsequent intensification of irrigated
agriculture are all aspects that strain a sustainable management of scarce water resources in
the country. To ensure that drinking water of good quality and sufficient quantity is made
available to the people of Jordan, all water resources have to be protected efficiently.
New guidelines on Water Resources Protection are officially effective in Jordan since
November 2011. These guidelines are used to delineate and control the Water Recourses
Protection Zones (WPZ) 1, 2 and 3 regarding the specific and defined limitations of activities.
The Rangers are supporting the implementation of the regulations in water protection zones
through patrolling and participation in environmental awareness campaigns. Therefore they
are cooperating closely with their strategic partner institutions like the Ministry of Water and
Irrigation (MoWI) and the associated Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ). Particularly they are
involved in the Water Aspects in Land Use Planning Project of the MoWI and the German
Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR).
A Water Resources Protection (WRP) Team at the Technical Office at the Rangers’
HQ in Amman processes and updates reports and data obtained from the Rangers’ control
room and from other institutions, and acts as an extension team to the branches in the whole
Kingdom. The team is directly supported and coached by a GIZ adviser in the subjects of
Hydrology and the application of GPS (Global Position System) and GIS (Geographic
Information System). BGR provides technical input as well as financial support, hardware
and data through the technical cooperation project with MoWI.
Dumping and discharging of solid and liquid waste or other hazardous material /
objects can have a negative impact on the quality of water resources and thus on human
health. Since 2011 the WRP team is systematically analysing all reports collected and filed in
the control room. Any suspicions case has to be geographically verified by coordinates. Field
officers should capture the GPS coordinates of incident sites. In order to assess whether it
implies a violation against the WPZ protection guidelines, the team then uses GIS to verify
the distance of the incident sites to water resources (springs, wells, dams, rivers). Incidents
classified as effecting water resources are entered into a separate database.
Geo-referencing of incidents which are related to water pollution and the application
of GIS are important supportive procedures to provide sufficient information on what has
happened where, and thus to assess the real danger that can arise for the respective water
resources. It makes it possible to map environmental hotpots and consequently plan
appropriate countermeasures such as campaigns to raise the level of awareness or to
increase the number of inspections, and it enables responsible institutions to follow up on
reported incidents.
13

The Rangers' campaigns are supported by a network of organizations working
together to protect one of it's most precious environmental resources – water -from the
dangers of irresponsible actions, and thus contributing to the human rights and health for
all people in Jordan.
Keywords: Environmental Rangers, Water Protections Zones, GPS, GIS, German-Jordanian
Cooperation
14

Artificial recharge in NW‐Jordan: Existing Studies and Identification of
potential sites
Dr. Heike NEUKUM (née WERZ) 1 , Maren RAPP 2 , Dr. Leif WOLF 3 , Dr. Wasim ALI 4 , Prof. Dr. Heinz HÖTZL 4 ,
hneukum@lih.rwth‐aachen.de
Phone: +49 (0)241 / 80‐96794
Mobile: +49 (0)179 70 44 370
Fax: +49 (0)241/80‐92280
1
RWTH Aachen University, Department for Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, Lochnerstr. 4‐20, 52064 Aachen,
.Germany.
2
Institute of Mineralogy and Geochemistry, Karlsruher Institute of Technology (KIT), Kaiserstraße 12, 76128 Karlsruhe,
.Germany.
3
CSIRO EcoSciences Precinct ‐ Dutton Park 41 Boggo Road Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia.
4
Institute of Applied Geosciences Division of Hydrogeology, KIT ‐ Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Kaiserstr. 12
76131 Karlsruhe Germany.
Keywords: artificial recharge, managed aquifer recharge, Jordan, thematic layer approach, water
resources, water reuse, water management.
The highest precipitation of Jordan, between 700 mm to 800 mm per year, is recorded for the NW
Highlands, while the main part of the country is dominated by semiarid climate. Precipitation is
restricted to the winter period with heavy rainfalls inducing fast storm water runoff with a low
infiltration rate. Therefore the natural aquifer recharge is limited. Additionally, NW Jordan shows the
highest groundwater abstraction of entire Jordan. The abstraction rates exceed the natural recharge
rate of the aquifers, resulting in continually declining groundwater levels.
The increasing water demand due to climatic conditions, high population growth, prevalent irrigated
agriculture and management deficits, results in overexploitation of the water sources.
Artificial recharge encompasses the process of infiltrating water in the underground into existing
voids of permeable rocks with the overall intention to increase the volume of water in aquifers by
storage and treatment of water. Surface infiltration is the favoured artificial recharge method in
regions with abundant land availability, highly permeable surface over unconfined aquifers because
of best clogging control and soil/aquifer treatment and low installation and maintenance costs.
The purpose of this work was to evaluate the potential of artificial recharge via surface infiltration in
northwest Jordan for an area of about 9800 km². A artificial recharge potential map scaled 1:200.000
was prepared based on several parameters, considered to be the basis for artificial recharge site
selection such as hydraulic characteristics of the near surface lithology, topography, land use and
availability of water to be infiltrated. The map was prepared in a GIS‐based thematic layer overlay
approach. The resulting areas of the combined thematic layers were delineated to four different
artificial recharge potential classes (low, medium, high very high). 30 % of the delineated artificial
15

echarge potential classes show high potential, 14 % very high potential. An example for a mapped
site with very high potential is the area around Fuheis (governorate of Balqa, approximately 20 km
NW of Amman), where several favourable basic conditions for artificial recharge via surface
infiltration exist: karstic aquifers covered by alluvial deposits with a low gradient and developable
water sources nearby.
Additionally, the map show that 1388 km² in NW Jordan have been evaluated to fulfil the high
potential criteria for artificial recharge via surface infiltration. This means that at these locations an
aquifer crop out at the surface, or are covered by permeable sediment layers, with hydrogeological
characteristics allowing artificial recharge (mainly limestone and alluvial aquifers with sufficient
hydraulic conductivity). In addition the unsaturated zone is thick, the slope at the surface is < 5 %,
urban areas are absent, and finally the proximity to at least one water source exists. The water
sources comprise dams, waste water treatment plant and surface runoff. In that context all water
sources suitable for artificial recharge in the study area were listed and described regarding their
capacity, catchments and purpose.
The results of this overview artificial recharge map can be understood as basis that identifies
potential areas for further studies that aim for a detailed planning of surface infiltration artificial
recharge sites in NW Jordan. All existing artificial recharge sites in Jordan are located in areas
mapped with high artificial recharge potential. In Jordan artificial recharge has not only the benefit of
reducing evaporation losses and of enhancing protection from contamination, it can also play an
important role in water reuse, by improving the water quality and storage opportunities to balance
seasonal differences between supply and demand for reclaimed sewage effluent. Furthermore,
artificial recharge can be valuable to store the strong episodic rainfall runoff from the highlands
towards the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea during the rainy season.
16

Session 2: Air Pollution and Protection
17

Effect of air pollution on the emission of plants and local aerosol particles
Boris Bonn
WG Aerosol and Environmental Research, Institute for Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences,
Goethe University, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
Abstract
It is known since centuries that ambient pollution such as ozone causes severe damages to
ecosystems and depending on the concentration of the pollutants the functionality is partly
destroyed. Therefore ecosystems depend on defensive strategies to counteract these stresses as a
function of their sensitivity to the degree of pollution. This contribution focuses on volatile organic
compound emissions, which are partly titrating the ambient ozone and oxidant levels causing the
plant to survive in a more healthy state. Here a clear link between sesquiterpene emissions and
ambient ozone levels will be shown. As temperature rises emission increases in an exponential
behavior. But as ozone exceeds about 35 ppb of ozone the plant starts emitting even more in a small
time delay by minutes to two hours after the initiative stress.
As a byproduct of this reaction local aerosol particles will be formed and grown to sizes at which they
can interact with cloud properties as cloud condensation and ice nuclei. An overview on recent group
activities will be provided and a short outlook will be given.
18

Long Term Transports of PM10 over Tehran Province and Northern Iran
Eberhard Reimer
Freie Universität Berlin / Institut für Meteorologie
Abstract:
Urban emissions of PM10 and their precursors are very important in relation to the EU
council directives and national strategies, because the knowledge about the contribution of
anthropogenic urban sources and long term transports of anthropogenic and natural ectories
Therefore investigations on the formation and transport of PM10/PM2.5 are needed.
In the greater area of Tehran high concentrations of PM10 were observed within the last
decades along with observed transports from outside. In this project part the importance of
transports of dust and PM10 into the greater Tehran area is analysed.
The 3D- trajectories are determined by a mixed kinematic/dynamical procedure and pay
attention to the formation of mixing height, clouds and precipitation.
A dense net of 3d backward trajectories is used to analyse the seasonal and episodic
relationships between measurements and possible source areas. By special statistics the
surface contacts of 3d trajectories are integrated over a 1 km² grid and weighed by the
concentration matrices for all observational sites are combined and, as a result, special
source areas or transport paths are determined.
In comparison to the model results the weighted source/receptor matrices for
determined by backward trajectories are used to solve for the quantitative
contribution from outside Tehran to the City area.
For the years of 2006 to 2010 trajectories have been determined by the TRAMPER
procedures at the Institute for Meteorology, FU Berlin, for each hour at observational sites in
Northern Iran and East-Turkey. Besides the transport from the desert areas especially in
summer times there are often strong transports from the West, Near East, which can
dominate the smog events in Tehran in addition to the strong local emissions.
Some example for source/receptor relationships and statistics are presented. .
19

Micro climate Simulation in new Town ‘Hashtgerd’ / Iran
Sahar Sodoudi, Eberhard Reimer, Ines Langer
Freie Universität Berlin / Institut für Meteorologie
Abstract: One of the objectives of climatological part of the project Young Cities
‘Developing Energy-Efficient Urban Fabric in the Tehran-Karaj Region’ is to simulate
the micro climate (with 1m resolution) in 35ha of new town Hashtgerd, which is
located 65 km far from mega city Tehran. The overall project aims are to develop,
implement and evaluate building and planning schemes and technologies which
allow to plan and build sustainable, energy-efficient and climate sensitive housing
settlements in arid and semi-arid regions (“energy-efficient fabric”).
Climate sensitive also means designing and planning for climate change and its related
effects for Hashtgerd New Town. By configuration of buildings and open spaces according to
solar radiation, wind and vegetation, climate sensitive urban form can create outdoor thermal
comfort. To simulate the climate on small spatial scales, the micro climate model ENVI-met
has been used to simulate the micro climate in 35 ha. The Eulerian model ENVI-met is a
micro-scale climate model which gives information about the influence of architecture and
buildings as well as vegetation and green area on the micro climate up to 1 m resolution.
ENVI-met has been run with information from topography, downscaled climate data with
neuro-fuzzy method, meteorological measurements, building height and different vegetation
variants (low and high number of trees)
The first results were compared with each other and show:
• In semi-arid climates the protection from solar radiation is of major importance.
This can be achieved by implementation of vegetation and geometry of
buildings. Technical constructions and vegetation scenarios have to be
implemented.
• A second important factor is wind: The design follows the idea to block the
prevailing winds from west and northwest as well as the hot and dusty winds in
summer time from the southeast but at the same time to allow the cooler
north-south winds from Alborz Mountains to channel through the site. The
quarter’s low skyline follows the topography and therefore the buildings have a
maximum of three floors (carpet style). This style of buildings allows free
movement of air, which is of high importance for fresh air supply. The
simulation results also show calm wind in inner courtyards in 2 m height.
• A third factor of importance is the vegetation with its positive effects on the
microclimate and water cycles. The increase of inbuilt areas in 35 ha reduces
the heat island effect through cooling caused by vegetation and increase of air
humidity which caused by trees evaporation. The simulation results show that
high number of trees leads to lower soil moisture about 3 g/ kg and low wind
speed near the surface. Vegetation on the road sides leads to a surface
temperature decrease of 9 °K. Increase of planting distance caused
turbulence near the surface and the close planting increased the Turbulent
Kinetic Energy (TKE)
20

Session 3: Water conflicts
21

The Sixth Environmental Symposium of German‐Arab Scientific Forum for Environmental Studies
Topic: Environmental Protection in the Middle East and North Africa.
‐ Water Resources, Air and Soils ‐
Aachen, Germany – October, 1 st and 2 nd , 2012
Authors: Victoria van der Land / Diana Hummel
Institute for Social‐Ecological Research (ISOE)
Hamburger Allee 45
60486 Frankfurt
vanderland@isoe.de
Climate change, Land Degradation, and Mobility in Mali and Senegal: Examining the Social‐
Ecological Conditions of Migration
To date there is little scientific knowledge about the relation between climate change, environmental
changes, and migration. Attempts to quantify the numbers of environmental migrants are based on
calculations that project physical climate change on an exposed population. However, these
approaches do not consider that migration decisions – particularly in the context of slow-onset
environmental changes like land degradation - are usually not only affected by environmental changes
but are multi-causal and shaped through interacting social, economic, political, and ecological factors.
Thus, our research investigates the social-ecological conditions under which population movements
take place to gain a deeper understanding on the complex relation between climate change and
population movements. In a transdisciplinary approach, we integrate natural-scientific and socialscientific
methods and data as well as local knowledge. Our research focuses on the effects of slowonset
environmental changes, such as land degradation, on migration in two study regions: Bandiagara
in Mali and Linguère in Senegal. Both areas are located in the West African Sahel, which is
particularly affected by climate change, and show high out-migration rates.
The presentation will illustrate results from the social-empirical analysis, which is based on a
combination of quantitative and qualitative data, collected in Senegal and Mali in the beginning of
2012: A standardised survey with 900 people – 700 people in the selected study regions and 200
people from these regions now living in the capitals Bamako and Dakar. In addition, we draw on about
70 qualitative interviews with people from these areas. The natural-scientific research includes spatial
and temporal analyses of data from remote sensing and ground truthing, focusing on climate change
and land degradation on a local and regional scale. The work is based on data archives from previous
project and own field work. In addition, we integrate the knowledge of local people into our analysis.
Main activities of the population in the two regions are (subsistence) farming and livestock breeding.
Thus, the people are highly vulnerable to climatic and environmental changes. We show that migration
is a strategy to ensure food security as a response to climatic changes. However, people have different
objectives for migration. On a local level, we illustrate the different migration patterns and the specific
ways in which people perceive and assess environmental changes and migration options.
From a social-scientific perspective, we demonstrate that climatic aspects, like changes in precipitation
and temperature during the past 30 years as well as the extreme droughts in the 1970s and 1980s are
perceived as important drivers of vegetation changes in the two regions by the local people. However,
environmental changes are not only caused by climate variability but also by human action. The
22

human impact on the environment in our study regions results from different forms of land use and
different levels of environmental protection, which are often linked to legal frameworks. In addition,
population growth linked to scarcity of cultivable land and an increasing number of livestock puts
pressure on the soil and vegetation.
23

Abstract
Water Conflicts in the Middle East: The Jordan River Basin
Dr. Fawzy Naji
Arabisches Institut Hannover
Statiusweg 2A
30419 Hannover
Tel.: 0511 80096240
Fax: 0511 80098462
aih‐naji@hotmail.de
www.aih‐hannover.de
Conflicts over water arise through the improper allocation of water resources, through natural
disasters, environmental pollution, population growth and a poisoned political environment.
The significance of water for every community in enhancing its socio‐economic progress makes water
a cooperation or conflict issue. In the Middle East the scarcity of water, ineffective water resources
management and political conflicts increase the effective use of water as a political instrument. The
unsolved Israeli‐Arab conflict and the Kurdish conflict in Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran prevent the
needed regional cooperation.
Water treatment facilities were military targets during times of war. One of the main triggers of the
war between Israel and the Arabic Countries was the project on the diversion of the Jordan River.
The US Army also bombed water pumping stations in Iraq in 1991.
Water conflicts in peaceful regions can be solved through the establishment of joint committees,
such as the Rhine River Basin. This can not be done during times of war or semi war.
Since the independence of the Republic of South Sudan on 9 th July, 2011, the water conflict over the
Nile River Basin has become more complicated.
This paper focuses on the Jordan River Basin and the water conflict between the Israelis and the
Palestinians. The Jordan River is an international one. It originates in Lebanon, while its main
tributary, the Yarmouk River, originates in Syria. Different proposals for the allocation of its water
have been made since 1939, during the British Mandate of Palestine. In 1964 Israel began to divert
around 400 mcm/year from the water of Lake Tiberias to middle and south Israel, through the
National Water Carrier. In 1965 Syria began building dams to divert water from the Banias and Dan
Rivers in the Golan Heights. Israel sent fighter planes to destroy the working sites. In 1967 Israel
occupied the Golan Heights, West Bank, Gaza Strip and Sinai and expanded its control over water
resources in the area.
It is crucial to build a joint committee between Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian
Territories in order to solve the water conflict of the Jordan River Basin, and to implement regional
water projects for the benefit of all nations in the region. This could be a reality only if peace nests in
the mind of the politicians and decision makers in the Middle East.
24

Session 4: Environmental Protection
25

The Experience of Jordan Police in the Field of Environment Protection.
1. Brig. Gen. Eng. Ahmad Salem Jumah, Director of the Royal Department for Environment Protection
2. Lt. Col. Qasem Abu‐Haija, Chief of Environment and Nature Division, Royal Department for
Environment Protection
3. Lt. Col. Mahmoud Abu‐Rumman, Chief of Coordination section, Royal Department for Environment
Protection
4. Lt. Col. Raed Abusamen, Chief of Middle Region, Royal Department for Environment Protection
Contact: Royal Department for Environment Protection (Rangers), P.O. Box 935, Amman 11110, Jordan,
mahmoudaburumman@hotmail.com
The Royal Department for Environment Protection‐Rangers (Environmental
Police) was established in 2006 with the Endorsement of His Majesty King
Abdullah II in order to protect the environment and its components, to support
the relevant authorities in enforcing the environmental legislations, and working
as an executive arm of the Ministry of Environment.
The Rangers have developed a strategic plan that can achieve the national goals
and the Ministry of Environment’s vision in protecting the Jordan’s environment,
in which the Rangers identified their vision and mission as a pioneer and
distinguished department.
Through their mission the Rangers contribute to the protection the environment’s
components and to the conservation of natural resources through the
enforcement of relevant legislations, through raising of environmental awareness
among the citizens, and by strengthening partnership and cooperation with all
partners and recipients of the service.
26

The duties of the department include controlling the violation of the environment
components (air, water, soil, and biodiversity) and provide the best service to the
citizen through tackling their complaints through the field sections in various parts
of the Kingdom cooperatively with strategic partners.
The achievements in the field are verified according to the environmental
violations’ statistics which have been handled by the fields sections of the
department in coordination with the relevant authorities.
The main activities of the department comprise e.g. participating in activities with
the relevant ministries and international institutions in enforcing the
environmental laws by both proactive and reactive police patrols, investigation of
complaints and document their findings, raising the environmental awareness,
and building the capacities of the Rangers’ officers in various environmental fields
through conducting specialized training courses such as: using GPS devices, noise
measurement, water sampling, environmental inspection and investigation, the
prevention of logging and overfishing.
As a result of the Rangers efforts in enforcing the environmental laws many
advantages were achieved; among them: the increase of the public environmental
awareness in the environmental issues, and the decrease in the number of certain
violations.
27

Investigation of salt weathering on stone monuments by use of a modern wireless
sensor network exemplified for the rock-cut monuments in Petra / Jordan
Kurt Heinrichs
Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology / RWTH Aachen University
Lochnerstr. 4 – 20, 52064 Aachen, Germany
heinrichs@lih.rwth-aachen.de
ABSTRACT
Historical stone monuments represent an important part of world cultural heritage. All stone
monuments are affected by weathering. The awareness of increasing weathering damage on
stone monuments coupled with the danger of further irretrievable loss of cultural heritage has
resulted in great efforts worldwide for monument preservation. Findings obtained from in-situ
investigation, laboratory experiments and weathering simulation during the last decades
have revealed salt weathering as a major cause of damage on stone monuments worldwide.
Thus, salt weathering represents a phenomenon of significant cultural and economic
consequence. Despite many years of intensive research, processes and mechanisms of salt
weathering are still rather poorly understood. This is due to the heterogeneity of the systems
“stone”, “salt” and “environmental influences” and the complexity of their dynamic interaction.
The lack of knowledge impedes reliable damage prognosis as well as selection and
implementation of appropriate and sustainable monument preservation measures.
Assessment of the dynamics of salt crystallization – dissolution processes has become a
main focus of modern salt weathering research. From the experts´ point of view, better
understanding of salt weathering deserves further comprehensive in-situ investigation jointly
addressing active salt weathering processes, controlling factors and salt weathering damage.
The ‘petraSalt’ research project takes this approach. The rock-cut monuments of Petra /
Jordan were selected for studies, since stone type and spectra of monument exposure
regimes, environmental influences, salt loading and weathering damage are representative
for many stone monuments worldwide. The ancient Nabataean city of Petra represents
outstanding cultural heritage. In 1985 UNESCO inscribed Petra on the list of World Heritage.
In 2007 Petra was elected to represent one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World”. The
project aims at real-time / real-scale weathering models that depict characteristic
interdependencies between stone properties, monument exposure regimes, environmental
influences, salt loading and salt weathering damage. These models are expected to allow
reliable rating and interpretation of aggressiveness and damage potential of the salt
weathering regimes considering their variability. The methodological approach combines in-
28

situ assessment of weathering damage and monument exposure characteristics, laboratory
analysis of salt loading and continuous monument environmental monitoring. Besides
established investigation methods, very innovative technologies are applied in the course of
investigation such as high-resolution 3D terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and wireless sensor
network (WSN). In the frame of the ‘petraSalt’ research project, an autonomously operating
wireless sensor network system has been developed for continuous temporal and spatial
high-resolution monitoring of environmental conditions affecting stone surface and stone
interior of the monuments in Petra and acting as driving forces for the salt weathering
processes. Considerable advantages of this innovative technology compared to conventional
measuring techniques are possibility of complex sensor setups, high-resolution monitoring
and remote access to system and data. The extraordinary data output will provide an
important basis for a differentiated analysis of salt crystallization-dissolution processes in
dependence upon monument exposure characteristics, salt load, environmental influences,
state of weathering and stone properties, considering diurnal, seasonal and spatial variation.
The research project is funded by DFG. It is carried out in close cooperation with the
Department of Antiquities of Jordan and with the Petra Development & Tourism Region
Authority / Petra Archaeological Park & Cultural Heritage Commission. Methodological
approach and results of the ‘petraSalt’ research project are presented.
29

Shrinkage of the Dead Sea, Jordan: Problems and Alternative Solutions.
Shahrazad Abu Ghazleh and Stephan Kempe
Darmstadt University of Technology, Schnittspahnstrasse 9, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany.
shahrazad@geo.tu‐darmstadt.de, kempe@geo.tu‐darmstadt.de
The surface of the Dead Sea has always been the lowest spot on Earth. However, it is dropping even
further, i.e. 30 m within the last 70 years. Now it stands at ‐422 m and continues to drop with an
alarming rate of ~ 0.7 m/a (Abu Ghazleh et al., 2009a). The analysis of Shuttle Radar Topography
Mission (SRTM) data using ArcGIS shows that the Dead Sea shrunk on average by 5 km²/a in area and
by 0.5 km³/a in volume amounting to an accumulative loss of 14 km³ in the last 30 years (Abu
Ghazleh et al., 2009). The calculated volume loss of 0.5 km³/a and the groundwater discharge to the
Dead Sea (0.5 km³/a) suggest that the lake needs ~ 1 km³/a in order to stop its lowering (Abu Ghazleh
et al., 2009). The rapid lowering of the lake level not only threatens the Dead Sea as a unique natural
resource but also caused serious environmental hazards all around the lake.
The amount of energy consumed by Israel to move water from Lake Tiberias to the Mediterranean
coast and Al‐Negab desert could be used to desalinate Mediterranean Sea water, allowing an amount
of 0.6 km 3 of the Jordan water to flow into the Dead Sea as it used to do (Abu Ghazleh et al., 2011).
However, it is not expected that the Jordan can be rehabilitated due to increasing stress on the
freshwater resources and the complex political situation there. The long‐term alternative of the Red‐
Dead Canal seems to be of high potential with several positive implications. It would not only save
the Dead Sea, but could also utilize the altitude difference of ca. 400 m to produce sustainably
hydroelectric energy and consequently freshwater by desalinization.
References
Abu Ghazleh, S., Hartmann, J., Jansen, N. & Kempe, S. 2009: Water input requirements of the
rapidly shrinking Dead Sea. Naturwissenschaften 96, 637‐643. Springer.
Abu Ghazleh, S., Abed, A.‐A. & Kempe, S. 2011: The dramatic drop of the Dead Sea: background,
rates, impacts and solutions. – In: Badescu, V. & Cathcart, R.B. (eds.), Macro‐engineering
Seawater in Unique Environments; Arid Lowlands and Water Bodies Rehabilitations; Springer.
30

Transport of engineered silver nanoparticles through saturated porous media
Anika Braun, Christoph Neukum, Rafig Azzam
RWTH Aachen University, Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, Lochnerstraße 4‐
20, 52064 Aachen, Germany
Contact: braun@lih.rwth‐aachen.de
Increasing production volumes of engineered nanomaterials and their growing application in
products of every‐day use is causing concerns regarding the release of nanoparticles into the
environment and their potential threat for drinking water resources. It has already been shown that
many types of engineered nanoparticles are harmful for the health of humans and other organisms.
Additionally, it is very likely that engineered nanoparticles will be released into the environment. In
order to assess the risk of this emerging contaminant it is crucial to understand the mechanisms of
transport and retention in soils and aquifers.
Engineered silver (Ag) nanoparticles are the most frequently used nanomaterial, applied for their
antibacterial effect in many products of every‐day use like clothes, door knobs, medical products or
washing machines. In this study the transport of Ag nanoparticles in columns packed with inert glass
beads as a reference material and natural soil is investigated. In these column experiments the effect
of parameters relevant for particle transport, like flow velocity or ionic strength and valence of
background electrolyte is analysed. As a comparison for each column a preliminary experiment with
a conservative tracer is carried out. The break through curves of the column experiments are used
for establishing mathematical models of particle transport and for proving if existing laws of particle
transport are applicable for engineered nanoparticles.
One major challenge when investigating engineered nanoparticles is their analysis and
characterisation, especially in environmental samples. In this study the technique of flow‐field flow
fractionation (Fl‐FFF) is applied and developed for this task. The technique allows the size separation
of a particulate sample from 1 nm up to 1 µm. A UV‐detector and a multi angle laser light scattering
detector coupled to the Fl‐FFF allow the determination of concentration and particle size
distribution. This technique is used for analysing the nanoparticle samples prior to and after the
column experiments for determining the concentration and for detecting possible changes in particle
size distribution which may be related to aggregation.
The results obtained until now indicate that Ag nanoparticles have a high mobility in sandy soils,
which is mainly depending on the chemistry of the background electrolyte solution, but also on flow
velocity. However, the experiments reflect only a simplified excerpt of the whole problem. Since
environmental systems and the abundance of different commercial nanosilver products are far more
complex, further investigation, e.g. of different soil types or different Ag nanoparticles, is necessary.
31

Distribution of heavy metals in groundwater of Sohag
Governorate, Egypt
Melegy 1* , A.A., Shaban 2 , A.M., Hassan 3 , M.M., and Salman 4 , S.A.
1,4 Department of Geological Sciences, National Research Centre, Dokki, Egypt
2 Water pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Egypt
3 Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University, Egypt
* Email of corresponding author: amelegy@yahoo.com
Abstract
Forty‐two groundwater samples were collected From the Quaternary
aquifer and eight samples from surface water of Sohag governorate, Egypt. The
study reveals that the surface and groundwater of the area are highly
contaminated with cadmium and lead. A bout 50% of samples are also found to
contain iron and manganese at an alert level. The concentrations of zinc in the
water of the area are within the world guideline for drinking water. A positive
relationship between contaminated groundwater of Sohag with some heavy
metals (i.e. Cd and Pb) and renal failure rate (R.F.R.=26 patient/10 5 capita) has
been identified in this study (r=0.62 and 0.28, respectively). Statistical results
show that all the metals under study exhibit an asymmetric distribution in the
area. The spatial distribution of these two metals showed that they
accumulated in the southern part around Albalina district and in the
northwestern part at Gehina District, which have the highest R.F.R. The study
area needs more studies to assess the different pollutants and their relation to
chronic diseases.
Key‐Words: Groundwater, Sohag, Egypt, Renal failure, Heavy metals, Spatial distribution
32

Abstract
ADSORPTION OF PHENOLIC COMPOUNDS FROM WASTEWATER USING VEGETAL CORDS
Ykhlef LAIDANI a* , Salah HANINI b , Ghania HENINI a
a Hassiba Ben Bouali University, PO. Box 151, Chlef, Algeria
b LBMPT, Medea University, street Aïn d'Heb, 26000, Algeriae
Correspondant Author*: l.ykhlef@gmail.com
Tel: +213 7 92 41 63 87, Fax: +213 27 72 17 94
It is very well known at present that different industries agro‐food sector generally produce
considerable quantities of wastewater should be treated imperative for preserving the environment,
and thus avoid a real danger to the ecosystem. These waters are usually loaded with organic
pollutants (phenol).
The pollutants of phenol and related compounds are widely produced by the coal conversion,
petroleum refining, resin and plastic industries, …etc. These compounds are toxic to humans and
aquatic lives, causing oxygen demand in receiving waters. Their presence in water supplies is noticed
as a bad taste and odor. Therefore, the wastewaters containing phenolic compounds must be treated
before their discharge into the water streams.
This study was motivated by the fact that no quantitative study concerning the physico‐ chemical
behavior of luffa cylindrica cords, hence the idea to use the capacity of retention by adsorption of
contaminants. The vegetable sponge of luffa cylindrica, a natural product which grows in the north of
Algeria, was used for phenol removal from wastewater.
In the first step, we studied the adsorption kinetics (static adsorption system phenol / luffa cylindrica
cords) using the phenol pollution model for practical reasons justified (actual presence in industrial
wastewater, analysis and determination easy) and as a method of analysis the UV
spectrophotometry, in a second step we valued with quantification the adsorption isotherms
obtained in relation to other commonly used isotherms (activated carbon / phenol)
Treatment results of thermodynamic adsorption system luffa cylindrica cords / phenol shows that
the adsorption phenomena involved are very complex, however, were obtained three kinds of
isotherms of type {(II) + (IV)}, (IV) and (II) and last step of an optimization problem was conduct, the
results are fully presented and discussed taking into account
The effects of various parameters such as contact time, initial phenol concentration, temperature,
bleaching and granularity were investigated, at solution pH of 8.5 and agitation rate 150 rpm.
Of all the protocols described from the adsorption kinetics, it is difficult to express a point of view of
both general and objective, however, shows that the adsorption of phenol by luffa cylindrica cords
can be clearly improved in terms of adsorption rate, it is especially important:
- The equilibrium time approximates to 20 min,
- The high pH (pH = 8.5),
- The temperature increases and approaches the ambient temperature,
- The duration time increases (t = 60 min),
- The initial concentration is high ;
- The washing time and bleaching is pushed.
So the possibilities for optimizing the adsorption of industrial wastewater by FCM are in fact real, and
leave the industrial look of interesting perspectives, especially for organic species located in low
concentrations, and that although some fundamental points remain unclear, especially the
33

hydrodynamic behavior of the luffa cylindrica cords, the adsorption dynamics and the interaction of
these cords with other types of chemical solution as phenol.
Finally this study has led us to better understand and quantify in a quantitative manner the physico‐
chemical phenomena experimentally observed during the adsorption of industrial wastewater. She
has to allow appreciating the margin of gain of efficiency for the existing industrial installations.
Keywords: Luffa Cords, phenolic compounds, static adsorption, modeling
34

Water treatment by plasticized organic membrane
KABRI Fatima Zahra*, ZATOUT Ahlam,, Imane Yahia Samet, OUAGUED Abdallah & DJAFER
lahcène
Laboratory water - Environment, Department of Process Engineering, Faulty of Technology
UHB Chlef. 151, Hay Es-salem 02000 Chlef - Algeria
*Corresponding author; kabrizahra@yahoo.fr
Abstract
In order to get a conform water to the standards; certain elements have to be
eliminated, in contrast of what requires the diversity of separation techniques which allow to
reach its goal. Among the most known techniques we have the membrane techniques. That’s
for an organic cellulose triacetate membrane is elaborated and plasticized by the DEP. Only
the membranes having a good mechanic behaviour and good strength are selected for
filtration tests by solutions of different molecular masses such as (water, Eriochrome Black T
(EBT) with M=461,38g/mol, λ= 521 nm and the murexide with M= 284.19 g/ mol, λ= 519
nm). The experiments shows that for a EBT solution of C= 0.4g/mol and a pressure of 3.25
bar the obtained filtrate is clear and a simple spectroscopy UV- visible analysis shows that
the concentration was decreases up to 0.008 g/l.
Key words: filtration, organic membrane, cellulose acetate, natural polymers...
35

Drought Analysis in the lower cheliff – Mina area (Northwest Algeria): Using
the PCA method
ACHITE Mohammed
Water – Environment Laboratory, B.P 151, Chlef (02000), Algeria.
E‐Mail: achite_meddz@yahoo.fr
Abstract: drought is one of the most serious problems for human societies and ecosystems, caused
by climate variability. This phenomenon is of great importance in the world, especially in North Africa
Countries like Algeria.
In this study, rainfall of 30 stations in the lower cheliff – Mina area, in the Northwest of Algeria were
statistically analysed over a 40 years period (1970/71–2009/10. The principal component analysis
(PCA) application showed that the first principal component [PC1] explains more than 60% of the
variance. Rainfall data showed two different periods: a wet period from 1970 to 1980 and a dry
period from 1980 until now. The basic characteristics of drought; duration, intensity and frequency
were studied.
Several recommendations are proposed for a good water management to alleviate the impact of
these climatic changes. Strategic measures will be taken, such as, sensitizing the population for water
economy, generalization of localised irrigations systems (drip irrigation), rehabilitation of the
purification station, fighting the dam silting by soil conservation.
Key words: Drougt, Climatic changes, Water management, lower cheliff – Mina area, Algeria
36

Poster Presentation
37

Physical-chemical analysis of leachate from domestic waste to the town
of Chlef (Discharge Meknassa)
Imane Yahia Samet, ZATOUT Ahlam, KABRI Fatima Zahra & OUAGUED Abdallah
Laboratory water - Environment, Department of Process Engineering, Faulty of Technology
UHB Chlef. 151, Hay Es-salem 02000 Chlef - Algeria
Corresponding author; E-mail: imaneyhmd@hotma il.fr
Abstract
The landfill of the town of Chlef "Meknassa" is eight (08) kilometers
southwest of the province of Chlef , It became operational in 2004, witch receives all kinds
of solid waste in its raw state (household, medical and agricultural), in volume about 70
tons per day ,the waste disposal was adopted as technical management of household waste at
the expense of other processes (incineration, recycling, composting, etc ...), without granting a
preliminary study and thorough evaluation of the life cycle of waste.
The objective of this study is to quantify the characteristics of leachate generated by the
discharge of Meknassa.
Periodic follow-up of physical-chemical (pH, electrical conductivity, turbidity, NO3 -
, NH4 + , PO3 - , BOD5, COD, Cl - , NO3 - , SO2 - , Mg and Ca), organic matter were made during the
year 2012.
The results of the physic-chemical leachate showed a double pollution: organic pollution
resulted in a high burden of COD and BOD5 and inorganic pollution expressed by a value of
electrical conductivity of 25.7 mS/cm which indicates that these emissions pose a serious
health problem and environmental in this region.
Keywords: Household, Waste Management, leachate, pollution, pollutant analysis.
38

Numerical modeling of atmospheric pollutants dispersion
Wahiba Mahouche, *Soumia Kouadri Moustefai, Mustapha Douani
Laboratoire eau et Environnement, Faculty of Technology, Hassiba Benbouali University of Chlef
151, Hay Esa-salem 02000 Chlef, Algeria.
Corresponding author: kouadrimostefa@yahoo.fr, s.kouadrimoustefai@univ-chlef.dz
Abstract
Air pollution is one of the major environmental challenges facing humankind today. Apart
from its undeniable impact on human health in urban areas, the pollution steadily growing
over the past five decades contributes to an imbalance of the ecosystem to bring profound
changes in climate at a global scale. It should be noted that most of domestic and industrial
energy is produced by combustion processes of fossil materials, whose result is, obviously, of
pollutant species extremely toxic, such as carbon oxides, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides and
aerosols. The transport and dispersion of these pollutants in ambient air are influenced by
many complex factors including meteorological and local topographical, solar radiation and
the nature of the pollutants themselves.
The purpose of this study is to analyze and predict the potential impact of new sources or
industrial projects before they are built as well as how new pollution will be dispersed in
order to preserve its environment. So computer models are used to assess pollutants
concentrations from a wide variety of sources associated with an industrial complex, by
considering the performance and limitations of various parameters (ejection conditions, wind
velocity,…) influencing the dispersion of pollutants at regional level. This work is devoted to
describe diffusion of gaseous species emitted from an industrial chimney of 15m high over a
large scale of the troposphere. The model consists of coupling transport and energy equations
for:
- Non reactive turbulent flow ;
- Newtonian incompressible fluid ;
- Coriolis and flotation forces are negligible.
- Radiation energy is negligible.
- Soret effect is considered.
Taking into account the boundary conditions specific to the system, the simulations are
performed for sulfur oxide transport through a square geometry size (15 x 15 km) containing
air. In the first case, we adopted a potential wind velocity equal to 0. The second part is
devoted to analyze the influence of wind circulation, in the range 5 to 20 m/s, with boundary
layer and potential flows.
For all ejection conditions (temperature, concentration and velocity), the simulation results
show similar behavior of SO2 dispersion. In fact, pollution is very important to the exit of the
chimney for a height ≤ 1000 m where the effect of gravity is very little perceptible. The
pollution is more intense in case of windy conditions (trapping pollutants in the atmospheric
boundary layer) and lower for the absence of wind which suggest that it is denied any
establishments’ housing and farms in the peripherical industries. The concentration is below
the toxic value of SO2 above 5000m, it decreases exponentially with altitude. For horizontal
dispersion, we found that 30% of the ejected hot particles can migrate long distances ; 70% of
sulfur oxide are sedimented within 200m meters around the chimney in the absence of wind
circulation and 90% in the presence of wind, where the effect of temperature on the density is
dominant.
Key words: Dispersion modeling; Atmosphere; Gaseous pollutants; Turbulent flow;
Boundary layer.
39

The factors of nitrate leaching in semi‐arid zones
- Case of the valley of the Middle Western Cheliff (North Algeria)
Naїma BETTAHAR. , Soumia KOUADRI MOUSTEFAI
* Laboratory Water & Environement, Hassiba Benbouali University of Chlef, P.O. Box 151, Hay
Essalem Chlef (02000) Algeria
E‐mail address: bettaharn5@yahoo.fr, koadrimostefa@yahoo.fr
Abstract
Nitrogen fertilizer applications have been increased for higher yield crops
in the valley of the Middle Western Cheliff areas (North Algeria) in recent years.
This generated nitrate (NO3) contamination of the alluvial aquifer situated in
centre of this zone which is exploited for the drinking water supply, the
irrigation and industry.
The main cultures are arboriculture and the garden farming; this last is a
large consumer of N‐fertilizers. The appraisal of the mineral nitrogen
contributions shows that 97% of these last come from N‐fertilizers against 3%
only result from water of irrigation. As for the organic nitrogen contributions,
the breeding constitutes the dominant share (95%) compared to the domestic
wastewater (5%). This pollution is essentially bound to agriculture and more
especially to the N‐ fertilizers; the yearly nitrogenous excess that ensues is 238
kg /ha. However, these phenomenal quantities of nitrogen brought to the soil
of the valley do not seem to reach the aquifer. Indeed, the middle
concentration of nitrate recorded in the groundwater oscillates around 60
mg/l.
The weak infiltration and the nature of the soil (fine texture, pH and rate of
limestone) play against the nitrate leaching.
Keywords: Aquifer, Nitrate, Fertilizer, Soil, Infiltration, North Algeria.
40

BIODEGRADATION OF RED BIMACID DYE BY IMMOBILIZED CELLS
ON POUZZOLANA FIXED BED
F. Guitarni ; A. Djafer ; S. Kouadri Moustefai ;
Laboratoire Eau et Environnement, Hassiba Benbouali University of Chlef
151, Hay Es-Salem- 02000 Chlef - Algérie
fatimag_26@hotmail.com ; ab‐dj@hotmail.fr ; kouadrimostefa@yahoo.fr ; s.kouadrimoustefai@univ‐chlef.dz
Abstract
Nowadays, the presence of toxic pollutants in liquid effluents has become an issue of
growing concern for humanity and its ecosystem. Wastewater generated as a result of domestic,
industrial and agricultural activities often contains various regulated compounds, both organic and
inorganic in nature. The effluents emanating from industries such as textiles, paper, plastics and
leather contain many dyes.
Dyes are generally believed to be toxic and carcinogenic or prepared from other known
carcinogens. Apart from the toxicological properties of dyes, their colour is one of the first signs of
contamination recognized in a wastewater. The treatment of these effluents is essential to reduce
the potential toxicity of its pollutants and minimize their concentrations to the acceptable limits prior
to their discharge.
This work is devoted to study the possibility to treat an industrial effluent containing a red
bimacid dye by bacteria. We designed a process, in which bacterial cells are immobilized on a
support consisting of a local material, namely the pozzolana. The experiments of dye biodegradation
were performed in a fixed bed column at laboratory scale (height = 42 cm diameter = 2.7 cm).
Synthetic solutions of red bimacid dye in the range [05 mg/l ‐ 80 mg/l] of concentration are treated
by biosorption.
The experimental results show that the percentage of removal of red bimacid dye from
synthetic wastewater solutions by immobilized cells on the pozzolana is significant (> 90%). When its
concentration is below 10 mg/l, the red bemacid can be removed in almost entirely.
The study of biosorption in a fixed‐bed column led us to analyze its performance by varying
both the flow of polluted effluent than its height. It appears from the results that:
‐ The removal capacity of the pollutant increases with increasing bed height. Consequently the
contact time at the interface between bacteria and pollutant is more important.
‐ A situation quite the opposite is obtained when increasing the effluent flow from 1 to 12 ml/mn. A
rate of 2 ml/min seems to be the optimum. However, it is important to consider biodegradation tests
of dyes in dynamic column to pilot scale and for industrial waste effluents.
41

Proposed study in the environmental geological to explore for oil
shale valley Tanezzuft Murzuq basin for use in power generating in
Libya
Fathi Elosta
Waha Oil Company
Tripoli Libya
ABSTRACT
Libya has been about 400 years ago to the geological activity that led formation of
sedimentary basins contain huge oil reservoirs where it is believed that Libya is located on
Lake of the floating oil and Gas and groundwater and all eyes today in the oil industry
international to oil due to the ease rock extracted, where the materials contain heavy
hydrocarbons and oil shale sedimentary rock containing organic matter, solid combustible and
distillation.
The process of exploring oil shale is through research and exploration of the detectors rock
that may contain kerogan is a substance net yet ripe to become the oil black due to lack and
they Occur under conditions off heat required and oil shale is defined as sedimentary rock
containing organic matter ,solids are of the composition and distillation contain a proportion
of organic matter their heavy intervention in the composition of nitrogen and oxygen called
eriosn dissolved between the particle and the organic matter which is called the kerogan
decompose and produce when exposed to heat and accumulated organic matter with
sedimentary during because of the deposition was saved because of the availability of
appropriate conditions for the conservation but the difference here is that the organic matter
not mature enough and so needs to step in to take them out the containment of oil shale on a
percentage increase of 10% of the weight in the form of oil and 5% in the form of gas and
calorific value of the rock shale about 1500 kcal per kg makes oil shale is an important source
of energy .
The present oil rock in platform rock and deep surface bituminous limestone rocks was
present in the rocks brown light clay mixed with layers of dark and all kerogan tons of oil shale
is given 100 kg of oil equivalent barrels of crude oil.
We believe that the valley tanezzuft in the western basin Murzuq of the most important sites
in Libya which may contain large quantities of oil shale and the area is located was of basin
Murzuq oil is a part of this region that contain detectors rock rise during the Silurian which
occurred a decline in offshore large and contain this valley formation almunyat sand of the era
Ordovician upper rocks of clay alluvial and there are some fossils such as Graptullaat.
the configuration tanezzuft with an economic value because it is rocks the source which
formed the materials hydrocarbon is believed that the time fourth Geological may form most
of features of this region and it seems that the time region has been to the process of carling
and deposit during the cretaceous and where Jurassic include deposits of sandstone and
limestone clay deposit a class topped with sand dune beneath the reservoirs contain water
and oil are concentrated in the southern and center and these deposits vary in age concrete ,it
also has the surface year some ripples and light cones of volcanic and spills of the sand dunes
and demolition
and construction to be our sand sea the great and configuration sediment erosion and
deposits shallow and rock and sand dunes and deposits of basalt that all of these landscapes
42

were deposited during the demolition which was exposed during the Libya territory in
Oligocene.
The depth of the shale ranges in the region up from 300m to 1000m approximately, the valley
Contains are three rocks unit:‐
1‐Al‐amunyat formation
2‐Mleshqrat formation
3‐Al‐shibutes formation
These three formation are believed to contain kerogan in the shallow marine environmental formed
in the upper age Ordovician also came to the period snow lower Paleozoic.
We are trying through this study to explore these areas to determine oil shale reserves and quality
economic process of exploration for new energy is possible generate electric power from them.
43

Characterization and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Nigella sativa
Bessedik Amina 1* , Allam R 1 , Abdallah-Bouamrane K, Bekkouche-Benziane N.
1 Laboratoire de Bioressources Naturelles Locales, Faculté des Sciences, Université Hassiba
Benbouali de Chlef, B.P 151, Route de Sendjas, Chlef, Algérie.
*Corresponding author GSM:0559907275;Te./Fax:21327773260; E-mail: bessedikamina@hotmail.fr
Abstract
The objectif of our study is to test the antimicrobial effects of essential oil extracted from
Nigella sativa strains on gram+ and gram- (staphylococcus aureus, Echerechia coli, Klebsiella
pneumonia) as well as fungi (Candida and Aspergillus Niger albicans). The study is based on
extraction by steam distillation and analysis of organoleptic and physico-chemical properties
of the essential oil of Nigel.
The results show that the yield of essential oils is affected by the mass, the shape of the grains
and the duration of the extraction. The organoleptic properties of this essential oil are
comparable to those cited in AFNOR standards. The physicochemical properties of this
essential oil show stability for all conditions tested. The antibacterial and antifungal properties
of this oil reveal an important antimicrobial effect. Moreover, it shows an excellent activity
against the Gram+ strains studied compared to Gram- strains. The determination of the
minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) allows us to deduce that the activity of this essential
oil can be triggered at a very low concentration.
The essential oil of Nigella sativa possesses is a very interesting antimicrobial effect against
the pathogenic bacteria and fungi studied so far.
Keywords : Antimicrobial effect, Essential oils, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus Niger,
Medicinal plants.
44

Contribution of the gravimetry to the hydrogeological study of the eastern
Haouz plain and Tassaout, Western Morocco
S. ROCHDANE 1 , A. EL MANDOUR 1 , M. JAFFAL 2 , M. HIMI 3 , M. Amrhar 1 ,A. Casas 4
1 GEOHYD laboratory, Cadi Ayyad University, Faculty of Science Semlalia. Marrakesh,
Morocco.
2 GEORESSOURCES laboratory, Cadi Ayyad University, Faculty of Science and techniques.
Marrakesh, Morocco.
3 National School of Applied Sciences, Al Hoceima, Morocco.
4 Faculty of Geology, University of Barcelona, Marti & Franques, s/n. 08028 Barcelona,
Spain.
samia.rochdane@gmail.com
Located in Western Morocco, the Haouz plain is an area of 6000 km2, that is divided into three parts:
the Western Haouz, the central part and Eastern Haouz. Our study area is the eastern Haouz and the
area of Tassaout, which is located 60 km in the east of Marrakesh . The compilation of geological and
drilling data lead us to identify the reservoir cover, which is formed by the Mio‐Pliocene and the
Quaternary formation; and the underlying formation composed by the series of Triassic and Permo‐
Carboniferous especially (Stephano‐Autunian) forming the bedrock of the aquifer.
In order to improve the knowledge of the geometry of the eastern haouz and the area of Tassaout
reservoir using gravity data analysis. First of all, a residual anomaly map was computed from the
Bouguer anomaly, greatly affected by an important regional gravity gradient. The calculated map
provides information on the ground density variations mainly attributed to the top of the Paleozoic
basement undulations under the sedimentary cover. However, in order to further study this map, it
has been later analyzed with a method that allows evidencing different buried geological structures,
combining the horizontal gradient and the upward continuations processing. The obtained results
allows us to establish a geometry map of the eastern Haouz and the area of tassaout basin which
shows the areas where the socle rises forming an anticline, and where the socle is deep.
The piezometric map established in April 2011 shows that the groundwater recharge is by
anastomosis in contact with limestone outcropping of the High Atlas, at Oueds Lakhdar Tassaout and
Rdat, and by infiltration of irrigation water at the perimeter of the upstream Tassaout. We can also
distinguish another recharge located downstream to the plain in the contact of Jebilet.
The groundwater flow is imposed by a divided line of groundwater oriented North West‐South East;
we distinguish two flow axis, the first one oriented North‐South, is parallel to the surface flow of
oueds Lakhdar and Tassaout, the second, oriented East‐West is feeding Tensift. The hydrodynamic
behavior of the groundwater of eastern Haouz and the area of Tassaout is controlled by the divided
line of groundwater as evidenced by the gravimetric study and by the synthesis of drilling data.
Keywords: Gravity, piezometry, structure, Haouz, Morocco.
45

The influence of anthropogenically affected water types on the solubility of
Morrocan Jurassic dolomites (Sefrou; Middle Atlas)
Paul Miessner & Thomas R. Rüde
RWTH Aachen University, Institute of Hydrogeology, Lochnerstraße 4‐20, 52064 Aachen, Germany;
miessner@hydro.rwth‐aachen.de
As in all Northern African and Middle Eastern countries karstic aquifers play a crucial role in the
Morrocan water supply. Up to 70 % of useable groundwater is from carbonate areas, especially in the
High and Middle Atlas, where karstified Jurassic limestones and dolomites cover an area of about
30.000 km². In general these waters have a good quality and a minor mineralisation making them
useful for drinking water supply. In recent years, and most probably in the future too, a growing
urbanisation, the intensification of agriculture as well as the ongoing climatic change and
overexploitation put an increasing pressure on these resources, leading to a loss in quality (e.g.
nitrate, heavy metals) and quantity respectively.
The present study focuses on the question, if anthropogenically influenced waters have a different
ability to dissolve carbonate minerals and thereby increase or decrease the karstification of such
rocks. Investigation area is the town of Sefrou, at the foothills of the Middle Atlas approximately 30
km south of Fez, where Jurassic dolomites are gradually overlaid by Plio‐Quaternary sediments of the
northwards adjoining Saiss basin. In addition to representative rock samples (consisting of almost
pure dolomite), water samples were taken out of Oued Aggai, which cuts deeply into the city centre,
before entering the medina of Sefrou and after passing it. Both samples are Mg‐Ca‐HCO3‐waters,
indicating dolomite dissolution as the main process in the natural development, and have slightly
elevated nitrate concentrations. Secondary the urban water sample shows raised concentrations of
various other dissolved ingredients (Cl ‐ , Na + , K + , B 3+ ) and small amounts of different heavy metals
(e.g. Ni, Cu, Zn).
The dissolution experiments with the Moroccan dolomite where conducted in two different
approaches. In a first step batch tests were executed, where finely crushed rock was shaken with the
different water types for 48 h. Results indicate an incongruent dolomite dissolution, leading to an
elevated release of Ca 2+ in comparison with Mg 2+ , and the total amount of dissolved minerals seems
to be slightly higher in the anthropogenically influenced waters. In a second long term experiment in
pressure cells both water types were forced through cored rock samples to calculate more natural
dissolution rates. Because the hydraulic conductivity of the non fissured rock matrix is very low, with
K values of 4.5*10 ‐11 m s ‐1 and a hydraulic permeability of 4.6*10 ‐18 m 2 respectively, the cores were
cut to simulate a longitudinal joint and guarantee a high enough water breakthrough. In the
experimental time of more than four months both water types show different phases of dolomite
dissolution and precipitation, leading to varying concentrations of Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ , but the results do
not clearly confirm if there is a considerable affect of the anthropogenic influence on the solubility of
dolomitic rocks.
46

THE SIXTH ENVIRONMENTAL SYMPOSIUM
OF GERMAN-ARAB SCIENTIFIC FORUM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
AACHEN, GERMANY
OCTOBER, 1 and 2, 2012
A NEW MATERIAL FOR THE REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS IN AQUEOUS WASTE
Ghania HENINI 1, 2 , Ykhlef LAIDANI 2 , Salah HANINI 3 , Fatiha SOUAHI 4
1 Laboratory Environment-Water
2 Chlef University, Postal Box. 151, Hay Essalem 02000, Chlef, Algeria
3 LBMPT, Medea University, street Aïn d'Heb, 26000, Algeria
4 ENP, Postal Box. 182, El Harrach, 16200 Algérie, Algeria
Corresponding author: g.henini@gmail.com
Abstract
The chemical industry is an important source of pollution, because it contains a number of
processes related to water use. Wastewater are found in rivers and lakes with huge qualities of
copper, phosphorus, iron, many acids, toxic agents and other harmful substances, and their
elimination is the subject of much research .
The accumulation of toxic industrial waste has become for the man and his environment, a
current problem.
It exists in the literature of numerous studies on plant fiber but few are devoted to the study
of fibers of the Luffa Cvlindrica, hence the idea to direct a study in this direction and use the
retention capacity the luffa by adsorption of contaminants.
Indeed, the Luffa cylindrica is an annual herb of the gourd family gives a result of cylindrical
shape slightly angular variable in size.
The aim of our study is to develop a materail that is luffa cylindrica, and evaluate its
performance removal of heavy metals (Cu 2+ ) in industrial wastewater by adsorption
In the first step, we studied the morphological and structural properties of the material. The
main chemical groups identified by infrared analysis are carboxyls, amines and hydroxyl. However,
major groups involved in the binding of carboxyl functions are copper.
In the second, we studied the adsorption kinetics (system copper / fiber of luffa cylindrica)
using the model of copper pollution and the method of analysis as UV spectrophotometry, estimating
the specific surface area (0.082m 2 / g) revealed a porous biomaterial too, although its maximum
47

adsorption capacity (0.101mg / g) under optimal conditions is low. After two comparative models
(Langmuir and Freundlich) were tested for the adsorption isotherms obtained.
We completed this work by studying the possibility of regeneration (30.2%) and reuse of this
material. For that several parameters have been optimized: the nature of the desorbent, the pHi
(1.5), the content of Luffa cylindrica to desorb, making it a very promising method for treatment of
water loaded with heavy metals. She can concentrate and get into a smaller volume, making the
process more economical.
Keywords: Fiber of Luffa cylindrica, waste water treatment, biosorption, desorption.
48

Paleoenvironmental implications of Messinian
Gypsum deposits from the Northern Coast Egypt
Ahmed Melegy 1 and Ismael S. Ismael 2
1 Department of Geological Sciences, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
2 Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Suez, Egypt
Abstract:
Messinian gypsum deposits from Dir El-Baraqan area, Northern Coast Egypt, were
investigated for stable sulfur isotope, IR, optical microscope and SEM to differentiate features
formed under substantial microbial influences as indicator on paleoenvironments
implications. Gypsum deposits were classified into three zones; biolaminated gypsum,
disordered selenite and swallow-tail selenitic crystals. Biolaminated gypsum is characterized
by regular alternating dark and light laminas, which was formed due to the seasonal
environmental changes in Dir El-Baraqan area. Stable sulfur isotope data showed that the
gypsum deposits are characterized by δ 34 S values ranging from +19.0 ‰ to +27.5 ‰. In
swallow-tail gypsum zones, the δ 34 S values are characterized by a narrow range (from +19.0
‰ to +20.2 ‰) which is considered as the primary phase. In biolaminated zones, the δ 34 S
values exhibit variation between the white laminae (δ 34 S = +23.55 ‰) and the dark laminae
(δ 34 S = +27.5 ‰) which is considered as the secondary phase. The high δ 34 S values of dark
laminae are considered probably due to the increasing activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria.
49

Effect of chemical fertilizers on the underground water in EL-AMRA
State Ain Defla. Algeria
ZATOUT Ahlam, KABRI Fatima Zahra, Imane Yahia Samet & OUAGUED Abdallah
Laboratory water - Environment, Department of Process Engineering, Faulty of Technology
UHB Chlef. 151, Hay Es-salem 02000 Chlef - Algeria
Corresponding author; E-mail: abouagued@yahoo.fr
Abstract
The commune of El AMRA in state of Ain Defla is situated 15 Km to the Northern
West of the state. It is characterized by it huge fields of divers culture that present 77% from
the total area of the EL AMRA. The use of chemical fertilizers is already entered in the habits
of farmers’ productions. The quantity of used limes was assessed at 32569 ton.
The aim of this study is to learn the combined effect of limes applications of NPK
15.15 type on the quality of consumption and irrigation water also for developing this aspect a
sampling was carried out in wells water and the hydro basin of irrigation in order to realize
the physico-chemical analyzes.
The results show the presence of pollution by chemical limes in consumption and
irrigation water, essentially by nitrates and phosphorus with amounts that reach the OMS
standards with good mineralization that has a bed drinking.
Key words: chemical fertilizer, underground water, irrigation water, nitrate, phosphorus, state
Ain Defla.
50

BIOFERTILIZERS:
A way to fight against soil pollution
BEN MESSAOUD Btissam, ABOUMERIEME Imane, LAHRACH Zakaria, ISMAILI Mohammed, IBIJBIJEN
Jamal & NASSIRI Laila
Microbiology of Soil & Environnement Unit, Faculty of Sciences, Moulay Ismail University, Meknes
(Btissam.benmessaoud@gmail.com)
Abstract:
Background:
The preservation of the biodiversity often sought is mainly provided by the environmental balance.
However, it still affected by various constraints due to the climatic changes and also to the abusive
use of chemicals as fertilizers, pesticides, etc... In many soils, particularly in agricultural areas, these
abusive uses lead to rising the amount of chemicals in soils and water tables as this can be toxic in
the long term. Further to this environmental degradation, the establishment of a rehabilitation
process is required. In this work, we report the effect of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB)
associated with the insoluble phosphorus supply on the growth of the leguminous plant Bituminaria
bituminosa using the available form of phosphorus.
Methods: We have evaluated the effect of PSB associated with the insoluble phosphorus supply as a
tricalcium phosphate [Ca3(PO4)2] on the growth of Bituminaria bituminosa. Furthermore, the effect of
PSB was tested on the Bituminaria bituminosa rhizobia symbiosis. Several parameters were
evaluated: height of the plant, weight of aerial part and of the roots and the presence and numbers
of nodules
Results: The exposure of Bituminaria bituminosa to the phosphorus supply associated to the PSB
inoculums led to an increase on its growth. However none of PSB strains could nodulate the
leguminous plant.
The inoculation alone showed a low beneficial effect on the height and the biomass production for
the four PSB strains applied. While the effect of the inoculation combined to the supply of
phosphorus fertilization is more important for the three PSB strains S1, S2 and S3 although the last
strain shows the same results as those taken in the absence of the fertilization.
Conclusion: The application of phosphorus fertilisers combined to the most efficient PSB strains
affect positively the growth of Bituminaria bituminosa. As so, this complex can be used once to
reduce the excess of the amount of phosphorus in polluted soils by its solubilization as so the
phosphorus will be in available form for the growth of Bituminaria bituminosa which is a good fodder
shrub for ruminants.
Keywords: soil pollution, biofertilizers, phosphorus solubilising bacteria, Bituminaria bituminosa,
rehabilitation.
51