GIS-based evaluation of groundwater vulnerability in the Russeifa area, Jordan

Abstract

In recent years, groundwater quality has been deteriorating in many parts of Jordan as result of agriculture expansion, solid waste disposal, and industrialization. A preliminary assessment of vulnerability to groundwater contamination in Russeifa watershed area was undertaken because of the presence of the largest solid waste disposal site in Jordan, which is known as Russeifa land fill. The major geological and hydrogeological factors that affect and control groundwater contamination were incorporated into the DRASTIC model, to produce groundwater vulnerability and risk maps. Moreover, a Geographical Information System (GIS) was used to create a groundwater vulnerability map by overlaying the available hydrogeological data. The final DRASTIC index indicated that the area surrounding the Russeifa landfill is highly vulnerable to groundwater contamination.