Sub surface Pore Storage System in Southern Jordan to Minimize Evaporation Losses Shehan-Karaq Pilot Project

SMART Project Funded BY BMBF Germany

Hamaideh, A.1 Krümmelbein, J.1, Gerwin, W.1 and Hüttl, R.F.1

1 Water Research Center, University of Jordan, Amman- Jordan . Email: Hamaideh.arwa@ju.edu.jo.

2: Chair of Soil Protection and Recultivation, Brandenburg University of Technology, Cottbus, Germany.

Abstract
Water resources are considered as the basic essential element in both social and economical development, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, where water is lacking, and the need for innovative technologies and alternative non conventional water resources supply is imperative. Moreover, water resources availability and improvement is the core for sustainable development.

The Middle East region has been faced with various challenges that are associated with water scarcity. These are perpetuated an increase in the population numbers in the region, climate change and unemployment. Notably, these factors are intricate and self augmenting and thus, the problem is very complex.
The suggested technique in our experimental area is located in the Southern part of Jordan- Goverenerate Karak the governorate Karak-Jordan, farmers have been collecting run-off water of heavy rainfall events for a long time. The traditionally used water harvesting structures suffer from high surface water evaporation losses and high sedimentation rates due to the high steep platues. In our study a water basin is protected against evaporation by a capillary break system. Capillary break systems as type of soil earthen covers employ capillary barrier to minimize the upward movement of water transport and though reduce evaporation.

In preliminary records and model simulations studies of the capillary break systems that were implemented and tested for the purpose of evaporation suppression, while at the same time infiltration rates should not be optimized are very promising.

We are now studying the effect of the capillary-break system which showed the best results in the green house experiment under natural conditions in Jordan. Not only the reduction of evaporation, but also the accumulation of sediments in the basin and their qualitative and quantitative composition are studied
We introduce the experimental set up and show first results of soil profile temperature regimes, evaporation rates and water quality parameters.

Key Words: capillary break, water harvesting, evaporation loss, soil cover, pores storage