Ahmad AlShdaifat

Groundwater resources in Jordan are under severe stress due to rapidly increasing water demand and over-abstraction that far exceeds natural replenishment. In addition, water quality is threatened by pollution from the misuse of fertilizers and pesticides, leakage from septic tanks, and illegal waste disposal. This study focuses on the Aqeb, Corridor, and Special Economic Zone wellfields, where hydrological and hydrochemical investigations were carried out. A total of 36 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed for hydrochemical composition, stable isotopes of oxygen (δ¹⁸O) and hydrogen (δ²H), and trace elements. In addition, two exploration 2D seismic profiles crossing the study area were interpreted, providing critical insights into the activity of the subsurface Fuluk Fault zone and its relationship with the wellfields. The hydrochemical results reveal elevated total dissolved solids and nitrate concentrations, accompanied by more depleted δ¹⁸O and δ²H values in wells located in the central part of the study area. Three distinct hydrochemical groups were identified within the same aquifer, indicating heterogeneity in groundwater chemistry that reflects variations in recharge conditions, flow paths, and geochemical processes. The first group (high Na/Cl with low salinity) likely represents recently recharged waters with limited rock–water interaction. The second group (intermediate Na/Cl and moderate salinity) may be influenced by evaporation, irrigation return flow, or cation exchange. The third group (low Na/Cl with high salinity) suggests the dissolution of sulfate minerals or mixing with deeper mineralized groundwater, possibly facilitated by structural features such as the Fuluk Fault. Seismic interpretation indicates several active near-surface fault systems that are likely to serve as preferential pathways for salinity and nitrate enrichment, linked to intensive agricultural activities and wastewater leakage from nearby septic tanks. The findings emphasize the combined influence of geochemical processes, excessive groundwater abstraction, and structural features in controlling water quality in the region.

Water scarcity and increased human pressures are crucial issues facing Jordan. Chemical pollutants significantly influence groundwater quality in Jordan due to increased pollution risks, ease of contamination, and various human activities that release harmful compounds into the groundwater. The Yarmouk River Groundwater Basin (YRB) is one of the main basins in northern Jordan. It is exploited for domestic, drinking, agricultural, and industrial uses. This study assessed the groundwater vulnerability for the YRB through the implementation of a dual-method approach, employing the SINTACS intrinsic groundwater vulnerability model and the Random Forest (RF) machine learning method. The results revealed similarities and differences between the two models. The delineation of low-vulnerability zones was similar, suggesting that the intrinsic hydrogeological characteristics of these areas provide robust natural protection against contamination. In addition, both models suggest that the eastern, northern, and southern parts are areas of ‘high’ and ‘very high’ vulnerability. Subtle differences can be observed, particularly in the precise delineation of boundaries and the fragmentation of vulnerability zones. Generally, the results show that over (47%) and (43%) of the basin area falls into the high- and very high-vulnerability classes, while the very low and low classes make up about (14%) and (15%), based on the SINTACS and RF models, respectively. Using the SINTACS and RF groundwater vulnerability assessments in the YRB provides valuable insights into groundwater susceptibility in this critical area of Jordan. The identified high- and very high-vulnerability areas within YRB highlight the urgent need for protective measures to safeguard this vital groundwater resource for both present and future generations. The SINTACS model proves to be a reliable tool for intrinsic vulnerability assessment in the study area, consistent with its application in other parts of Jordan and similar dry regions.

Green hydrogen, produced via renewable-powered electrolysis, offers a promising path toward deep decarbonisation in energy systems. This study investigates the major technological, infrastructural, and economic challenges facing green hydrogen production in Jordan—a resource-constrained yet renewable-rich country. Key barriers were identified through a structured survey of 52 national stakeholders, including water scarcity, low electrolysis efficiency, limited grid compatibility, and underdeveloped transport infrastructure. Respondents emphasised that overcoming these challenges requires investment in smart grid technologies, seawater desalination, advanced electrolysers, and policy instruments such as subsidies and public–private partnerships. These findings are consistent with global assessments, which recognise similar structural and financial obstacles in scaling up green hydrogen across emerging economies. Despite the constraints, over 50% of surveyed stakeholders expressed optimism about Jordan’s potential to develop a competitive green hydrogen sector, especially for industrial and power generation uses. This paper provides empirical, context-specific insights into the conditions required to scale green hydrogen in developing economies. It proposes an integrated roadmap focusing on infrastructure modernisation, targeted financial mechanisms, and enabling policy frameworks.

Green hydrogen, produced via renewable-powered electrolysis, offers a promising path toward deep decarbonization in energy systems. This study investigates the major technological, infrastructural, and economic challenges facing green hydrogen production in Jordan, a resource-constrained yet renewable-rich country. Through a structured survey of 52 national stakeholders, key barriers were identified, including water scarcity, low electrolysis efficiency, limited grid compatibility, and underdeveloped transport infrastructure. Respondents emphasized that overcoming these challenges requires investment in smart grid technologies, seawater desalination, and advanced electrolyzers, as well as policy instruments such as subsidies and public-private partnerships. Despite the constraints, over 50% of surveyed stakeholders expressed optimism about Jordan’s potential to develop a competitive green hydrogen sector, especially for industrial and power generation uses. This paper provides empirical, context-specific insights into the conditions required to scale green hydrogen in developing economies and proposes an integrated roadmap focusing on infrastructure modernization, targeted financial mechanisms, and enabling policy frameworks.

Upper Cretaceous carbonate rocks in Jordan are the main resources for construction and paint-related industrial applications. This study evaluates the elemental composition, mineralogy, and petrography of two main geological formations from two localities in northern Jordan (Hallabat, Turonian age, and Ajlun, Santonian–Campanian age) to shed light on their composition, depositional environments, and potential industrial end uses. The elemental composition of the Hallabat Wadi Sir Limestone (WSL) Formation indicates notable variability between the middle and upper parts of the WSL carbonates in the area, with higher CaO content in the middle part (mean 55 wt.%) and higher silica content observed in the upper part (mean 2 wt.%) compared with the middle part (mean 0.9 wt.%). Meanwhile, analysis of the elemental composition of the Ajlun Amman Silicified Limestone (ASL) Formation indicates that the CaO content is relatively higher in the upper part (mean 56 wt.%). In addition, the lower part is more influenced by detrital input when compared with the upper part of the studied section, in contrast to the Hallabat WSL Formation. Petrographic analysis demonstrates that the WSL and ASL samples are predominantly micritic limestone. The XRD results for the Hallabat WSL and Ajlun ASL show that the mineralogical composition is dominated by calcite (CaCO₃). Statistical and PCA analyses also confirm these variabilities between the two sites, indicating that all samples from both sites were deposited under variable hydrodynamic and environmental conditions that affected their physical and chemical composition. The results show that all studied samples are in the range of pure limestone and can be used for specific industrial applications in addition to their current uses, including those in the pottery and porcelain ware, soda ash and caustic soda, steel industry, sugar, and textile production industries, thus contributing to the economic resources in Jordan.

This study aims to estimate land and sea surface temperatures (LST and SST) in Aqaba, Jordan, using remote sensing and GIS techniques and to explore their relationships with urban development and lithological formations. Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS and MODIS data were utilized, with LST estimated using...