Environmental study of the Amman-Zerqua Basin Jordan

Rapid population growth, urbanization expansion of rural settlements, industrial activity, intensively irrigated agriculture, pesticides consumption, and continuous dumping of hazardous waste in the Amman-Zerqa Basin since 1967 are the major factors threatening the quality of the environment. Thus, an environmental recommendation is proposed to protect the environment and water resources in the study area. The chemical analysis of the springs in the study area showed salinity increasing with time, which indicates water pollution affecting these springs. The laboratory analyses indicated that the quality of the treated waste water of Khirbet Es-Samra Treatment plant conforms to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards from the chemical, physical, and the microbiological point of view. Toxic elements such as cadmium identified in the surface water flow of the basin are in concentrations higher than those recommended by WHO.