Abstract: The impact of agricultural practices on soil–groundwater quality in the sub-humid Bekaa plain of Lebanon-East Mediterranean was monitored in four fields (F) between July 2007 and July 2009. These were occupied by continuous mint (F1), summer potato/wheat/potato (F2), lettuce/lettuce/potato/wheat/summer potato (F3) and table grapes (F4). N input calculated on a two-year basis, was in the following ascending order F4, F2, F3 and F1. Soil samples, analyzed down to 200 cm depth, showed high nitrate and chloride concentrations at the end of the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Soil chloride and nitrate peaks recorded in October 2007 and 2008 disappeared below 200 cm overwinter. The calculated N biannual discharge ranged from 130 (F4), to 516 (F2), to 778 (F1), to 879 kg ha−1 (F3). Groundwater quality was studied in 21 wells distributed along a sequence stretching from the Litani River to the eastern water dividing line. Based on the nitrate concentrations, the well located at the top of the water dividing line was the only one suitable for drinking purposes. Eight wells were mildly contaminated, therefore suitable for irrigation purposes except for sensitive crops. Twelve wells, positioned in the plain, showed a nitrate level exceeding 200 mg L−1. Protecting the soil and groundwater quality is a top priority to maintain the ecological and agricultural functions of water.

Abstract: The hydrochemistry of minor elements bromide (Br), boron (B), strontium (Sr), environmental stable isotopes (18O and 2H) together with major-ion chemistry (chloride, sodium, calcium) has been used to constrain the source(s), relative age, and processes of salinization in the Continental Terminal (CT) aquifer in the Saloum (mid-west Senegal) region. Seventy-one groundwater wells which include 24 wells contaminated by saltwater and three sites along the hypersaline Saloum River were sampled to obtain additional information on the hydrochemical characteristics of the groundwater defined in previous studies. Use of Br against Cl confirms the Saloum River saline water intrusion up to a contribution of 7% into the aquifer. In addition to this recent intrusion, a relatively ancient intrusion of the Saloum River water which had reached at least as far as 20 km south from the source was evidenced. The high molar ratio values of Sr/Cl and Sr/Ca indicate an additional input of strontium presumably derived from carbonate precipitation/dissolution reactions and also via adsorption reactions. The variable B concentrations (7–650 μg/L) found in the groundwater samples were tested against the binary mixing model to evaluate the processes of salinization which are responsible for the investigated system. Sorption of B and depletion of Na occur as the Saloum river water intrudes the aquifer (salinization) in the northern part of the region, whereas B desorption and Na enrichment occur as the fresh groundwater flushing displaces the saline waters in the coastal strip (refreshening). In the central zone where ancient intrusion prevailed, the process of freshening of the saline groundwater is indicated by the changes in major-ion chemistry as well as B desorption and Na enrichment. In addition to these processes, stable isotopes reveal that mixing with recently infiltrating waters and evaporation contribute to the changes in isotopic signature.

Abstract: The distribution of permeability and chemical character of groundwater in carbonate aquifers is significantly influenced by the many diagenetic processes
and reactions that occur in the early development of these rocks. Many of these diagenetic processes occur in the transition zone formed as the carbonate sediments emerge from the marine environment and become fresh-water aquifers. Analyses of trace elements and isotopes
indicate that calcite cements and dolomites are formed in this groundwater mixing zone. Reverse reactions such as mineral dissolution and dedolomitization occur in carbonate aquifer systems. The geochemical reactivity of the fresh-water/salt-water mixing zone results from the nonlinearity of geochemical parameters as a function of ionic strength and causes extensive dissolution in coastal carbonate rocks. Interpretation of geochemical reactions and isotopic composition of groundwater provides a method to determine hydrological parameters
such as porosity, hydraulic conductivity, and groundwater flow rates. This geochemical method is largely independent of the more conventional approach of determining these parameters by an evaluation of physical properties of aquifer systems.