Feedback between societal change and hydrological response in Wadi Natuf, a karstic mountainous watershed in the occupied Palestinian Westbank

Abstract

Abstract. Runoff observations with high spatial and temporal resolution before, during and since the Intifada in the occupied Palestinian West Bank, allow for new insights into the feedback between changing social systems and hydrological response under changing land forms. The lack of land control and infrastructure, movement restrictions and tight closure regimes, intensive settlement expansion and mushrooming unregulated solid waste dump-sites impact on runoff generation, groundwater recharge, flow patterns and rising water quality concerns. Long-term monitoring results from a 105 km2 Mediterranean climate catchment are presented. More research will strengthen these linkages. Changing socio-hydrological context of land sovereignty and equitable water rights remain paramount for addressing the chronic water crisis, establishing more symmetrical access and sustainable management of the shared water resources.

Assessment of transmission loss in a Mediterranean karstic watershed (Wadi Natuf, West Bank)

“…They play an important role as point (or line) recharge within the context of contaminant transport along preferential pathways. Such pollution sources were found increasing near the streams, especially from solid waste and quarries in the area (Messerschmid, ).…”

“…Although this percentage is relatively low in comparison with total catchment groundwater recharge (well over 35% in Wadi Natuf [SUSMAQ, ]) it is nonetheless a significant amount, particularly with respect to water quality issues. Wadis in the study area are a hot spot of increasing pollution due to the recent spread of unregulated solid waste dump sites and quarries (Messerschmid, ), and the TL flux is critical for the transport of contaminants into the karstified groundwater systems.…”

“…• R-2: The aquifer of Hebron formation ('Amminadav, Rank 4) with its massive, strongly karstified Cenomanian limestones and dolostones at the Wadi base in R-2 shows particularly high average infiltration rates of ca. 40 mm/h ( (Messerschmid, 2014), and the TL flux is critical for the transport of contaminants into the karstified groundwater systems.…”

Field-based groundwater recharge and leakage estimations in a semi-arid Eastern Mediterranean karst catchment, Wadi Natuf, West Bank

“…In the second, soil-based scenario (A.-2), recharge coefficients are ranked according to soil thickness (Table 1a) formations (lower LBK and Jerusalem), whereas formations with chalk and marl components are ranked at the lower end of the recharge coefficient spectrum. For further discussion on the relationship between landforms and lithology, see Messerschmid (2014) and Messerschmid et al (2018). Wadi Natuf surface catchment covers two groundwater basins, as shown in Table 4.…”

“…characteristics and lithology types. The area contains some small plains with agricultural fields (and thick soils) and some areas of exceptional coniferous forest (Messerschmid, 2014). Finally, the foothills in the East exhibit more rock outcrops and grassland with shrubs, together with some olive groves in alluvial plains along the banks of the wadis.…”