Analysis and Modelling of Groundwater Salinity Dynamics in the Gaza strip

Abstract

The Gaza Strip suffers from an acute problem in the water quality and quantity. Groundwater is used as drinking water, for agricultural uses, and industrial processes. Salinity is increasing in groundwater in the Gaza Strip. Seawater intrusion is the main source of salinity. A chloride ion-selective is used as indicator of salinity for analysis and modelling of salinity of groundwater in the Gaza Strip by 2023. Research depends on three models for prediction of chloride concentration in groundwater: Forecasting, Linear regression and Multiple regression for the year 2023. The result of three models showed water salinity will increase in all areas in the Gaza Strip by the year 2023. Only a small area in the North Governorate will keep less than 250 mg/L of chloride concentration in fresh water, which represents 4.56 % of the total of the Gaza Strip area. The analysis of seawater intrusion within the cross sections is clear along the coastline and outspreads from the Mediterranean Sea to the East part of the Gaza Strip.