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The Source of the Yarkon Springs, Israel

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2016

D Avisar
Affiliation:
Department of Geophysics and Planetary Sciences, Tel Aviv University. Email: [email protected].
J Kronfeld
Affiliation:
Department of Geophysics and Planetary Sciences, Tel Aviv University. Email: [email protected].
J Kolton
Affiliation:
Water Commission of Israel, Tel Aviv
E Rosenthal
Affiliation:
Department of Geophysics and Planetary Sciences, Tel Aviv University. Email: [email protected].
G Weinberger
Affiliation:
Water Commission of Israel, Tel Aviv
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Abstract

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Radiocarbon and tritium analyses are used to show that the accepted conceptual hydrological model of the Yarkon-Taninim aquifer is untenable. The conventional model would have the groundwater flow in the carbonate Judea Group aquifer from the Beer Sheva region in the south to discharge at the Yarkon springs. Moreover, the conventional model considers the Judea Group aquifer to be a single hydrological entity. However, analysis of the Yarkon springs and surrounding wells demonstrate that it is stratified into upper and lower aquifers.

The water in the deeper aquifer is fresher, cooler and younger compared to the water in the overlying aquifer. The deeper aquifer water type is identical in composition to the Ca-Mg-HCO3 Judean Hills recharge water immediately to the east. It is this recharge water that is dominant at the Yarkon Springs. There appears to be no derived appreciable contribution of groundwater from the Beersheva region in the south. Thus the currently accepted hydrologic model is in need of serious revision. The present study introduces new and high quality groundwater resources to be target for exploitation.

Type
II. Our ‘Wet’ Environment
Copyright
Copyright © 2001 by the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona 

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