TITLE:
Seasonal and Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Nutrients in the Hula Valley after Drainage: C: Carbonate and Sulfate
AUTHORS:
Moshe Gophen
KEYWORDS:
Hula, Peat, EC, TDS, Alkalinity, Sulfate
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Modern Hydrology,
Vol.15 No.2,
April
21,
2025
ABSTRACT: The Hula wetland and old Lake Hula drainage were completed in 1957, and the land was converted into agricultural use. However, the adoption of inappropriate irrigation methods led to several critical concerns, including the oxidation of organic matter, frequent outbreaks of subsurface unsecured fire, soil surface subsidence and disruption of the hydrological system. Additionally, nitrogen mineralization created an accumulation of nitrate loads, which increased the risk of leaching into Lake Kinneret and deteriorating its water quality. The natural intrusion of gypsum into peat soil’s organic matter has contributed to increased levels of sulfate and calcium, enhancing soil salinization. Consequently, a reclamation project was implemented, the Hula Project (HP). The dependence of climate conditions and consequently soil moisture on Alkalinity (ALK), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Sulfate (SO4) concentrations, Electrical Conductivity (EC), and pH properties within the Peat soil drained waters composition was documented. A temporal decline of ALk, TDS, SO4, EC, and, to a lesser extent, pH measures during 1994-2010 and an increase later were indicated. The nutrient migration dynamic is evaluated through spatial and temporal dimensions to confirm the dominant effect of soil wettability with negligible fluctuation of the pH values.