). Groundwater vulnerability mapping of Jordanian phosphate mining area based on phosphate concentration and GIS: Al-Abiad mine as a case study

The present study uses DRASTIC model on a national rate and assess the groundwater contamination through phosphate release from the mining activities in south of Jordan (Al-Abiad area) using GIS environment. It is found that about 58.6% of the area was considered to be of moderate vulnerability, while high and low vulnerability was found to be at 0.6% and 42.8% respectively of the total area. On the other hand, investigation of infiltration process of selected pollutants (soluble phosphate and chloride ions) through the surface layer of study area has confirmed the vulnerability of the groundwater quality toward such as pollutants. Chemical analysis of the effluent washing water from the phosphate beneficiation process showed high concentration of P2O5 (TCP), Cl? and SiO2 comparing with influent washing water. Currently, the effluent water from Al-Abiad and other Jordanian phosphate mining industry is discharged into the desert without treatment or any attempt for reuse.