Hydrochemical characteristics of rainwater in Ramallah District

Abstract

The hydrochemical variability of rainwater in Ramallah District in the West Bank was studied through two rainwater sampling campaigns of the rainy seasons of 2007 and 2008 in order to determine its hydrochemical characteristics. The major ions of twenty two rainwater samples: Ce, Na+, cr, SO4,2- NO3- and HCO3- were analyzed. Sodium and Potassium concentrations show increasing amounts in the Western parts more than the Eastern parts. The Nitrate concentrations is increasing in the Western parts of the study area. Sulfate shows variability, but its concentration is noticeably increasing in Western areas due to its close to the Mediterranean Sea. Three types of Rain water were found: Na-Cl, Na-HCO3 and Ca-HCO3. Most of the Rainwater samples fall into the normal earth alkaline water group with prevailing bicarbonate and sulfate or chloride. EC and TDS values show an increasing trend and has the linearity of TDS = 0.5 EC.