Climatic change influence on the hydrogeological interaction of Jericho complex springs using GeoInformatics Techniques
Supervisor Name
Marwan Ghanem
Supervisor Email
mghanem@birzeit.edu
University
Birzeit Univeristy
Research field
Geology
Bio
Dr. Ghanem is hydrogeological Professor and a chair of Geography and GeoInformatics Department at Birzeit University in Palestine. He has a Ph.D. in Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry from the TU Bergekademie Freiberg in Germany in 1999. His M.Sc and B.Sc. are in Geology from Yarmouk University – Jordan. He has 85 publications published in refereed Journals and he participated in more than 70 international conferences. He has a membership of many International Associations - IAH, IHA, EGS. He was awarded many research visits in Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Spain, USA, Morocco during the last ten years. He is reviewer for the many hydrological international Journals and he is participating as author for five books. He supervised Fourty master students and 15 Ph.Ds. His experience is in academic and research activities. He was in the NGO sector before he was transferred to the academic level. He is the head of the board of the Palestinian Association for Environmental development (NGO). He works in many water, environmental and multi-disciplinary related projects. His work in the surface and ground – water and their related fields in quantitative and qualitative levels. He participated in different water - land related projects in national and international levels. He speaks the languages of English and German in addition to Arabic.
Palestine is famous in existing numerous cultural heritage sites spreading all over the country. The existence of these sites represents special hydrological processes proofed from the nearest water source that was feeding them during their civilized appearance. Many of these sites are UNESCO listing sites like Ein es Sultan site, which lies beside the most touristic historical site is Tel es Sultan, the ancient city of Jericho (UNESCO heritage site). The nearby area is enriched by spring complex system. It consists of many geological complex clusters; Ein Sultan, Qilt, Dyuk and al Auja. The system is composed of different cluster springs belonging to the Upper Cretaceous age and distributed in linear clusters of 25 kilometers from Ramallah city to Jericho area. The spring water suitability is influenced by different geological, climatic and hydrogeological factors. In addition to that Climate change affected nowadays the natural and social use of these springs. The ancient civilizations were connected to their drinking and agricultural water sources. The study will take into consideration the water resources management integration from quantitative and qualitative point of views. The main purpose of the study is to consolidate the effects of climatic change on the Dyuk cluster springs as a case study. The natural effects will be assessed to create a protective policy base that will aid decision makers in planning and managing increasing geo-heritage awareness. This will provide possible management options and help in building strategies for dealing with the negative impacts of climate change on the hydrological system in Dyuk spring area.
