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Hebron aquifer contamination with heavy metals

surface runoff, landfill leachate, agricultural fertilizers 2. Materials and methods
and pesticides, as well as mining activities. 24,25
In Hebron, major sources of water pollution include 2.1. Study area
nearby disposal sites, wastewater from settlements, The Wadi Al-Samen area is situated in Hebron, in the
exposed sewage, runoff from wastewater and leachate southern part of the West Bank, approximately 36 km
pits, landfill sites, industrial activities, livestock south of Jerusalem (Figure 1). The climate of Hebron is
waste, and the continuous burning of plastic and other influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, resulting in a semi-
waste. While two-thirds of Hebron City is connected arid climate classification. Winters are the primary rainy
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to a sewage network, the remaining communities use season, with precipitation varying from heavy to light.
household cesspools (percolation pits) for sewage The annual average rainfall in Hebron Governorate is
disposal, posing significant environmental risks to around 540 mm, with roughly 75% occurring between
groundwater and surrounding ecosystems. 27 November and March. The estimated annual average
Monitoring and evaluating water contamination rainfall in Wadi al-Samen is 492 mm. 26
has become an essential field of research due to the Hebron’s topography is characterized by mountainous
significant impact of water pollution on aquatic life terrain with elevations exceeding 1,000 m above sea
and humans. Some metals, such as iron, copper, zinc, level, leading to frequent freezing temperatures during
and manganese, are vital nutrients for the physiological winter. The average minimum monthly temperature is
and biochemical functioning of plants, animals, and approximately 3°C. Relative humidity in the western part
humans. However, these metals can be harmful at of Hebron Governorate ranges from 55% to 60%, with a
higher concentrations. On the other hand, non-essential similar range observed in the mountainous areas of Hebron.
elements, such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic are Household and industrial waste is discharged directly into
harmful even at low concentrations when present in wadis without treatment, including into Wadi al-Samen.
groundwater. These metals do not biodegrade and tend In 2021, the average flow of wastewater through
to build up in the environment, bioaccumulating through the Hebron Municipality network was approximately
the food chain and posing serious risks to human health
and ecosystems. 28-30
The heavy metal pollution index (HPI) serves as an
important tool for evaluating the overall contamination
of both groundwater and surface water. 24,30 It provides a
quantitative measure of water quality concerning heavy
metal pollution. 31-33 Factors, such as excessive pesticide
use, improper waste disposal, and the release of untreated
industrial wastewater into streams contribute to the
decline in groundwater quality. Ensuring access to safe
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drinking water is a key challenge in many developing
regions, including the West Bank in Palestine. Over
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recent decades, the demand for clean drinking water
has increased, yet supply and water quality remain
inadequate. Consequently, many Palestinian families
rely on groundwater wells and hand-dug wells as their
primary water sources for both drinking and household
purposes. Those living near untreated sewage sites may
be unaware of the health risks posed by contaminated
groundwater.
This study aims to detect seasonal changes
in groundwater quality concerning heavy metal
contamination. It specifically examines heavy metal
concentrations in groundwater from Wadi Al-Samen, Figure 1. Geographical location of sample wells in
evaluates their suitability for drinking, and compares the Hebron Governorate, Wadi Al-Saman Basin. The
the findings with World Health Organization (WHO) numbers at the borders represent the Palestinian
standards. coordinate system in West Bank.

Volume 22 Issue 2 (2025) 53 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025040020