Isotopic Study (18O, 2H) of the Ground Water in the Bekaa's plain (Lebanon)

The stable isotopes of the water molecule (18O, 2H) give informations about the paleoclimate existing during the water seepage and about the recharge conditions of the groundwater. The effects of the Orography, the Continentality, and the origin of the masses of air have an effect on the isotopic abundance of the precipitations (rain + snow) in Lebanon. An evaporation of the recharge water exists in the atmosphere, with a mixing between the deep water and the shallow ones. The sea water has an isotopic abundance at 0 ‰ (SMOW: Standard Mean Ocean Water) for δ2H et δ18O, the Mediterranean Sea is at the origin of the rains which fall on the studied area, and which do not keep the isotopic abundances of the sea because the high mountains that they cross during their movement. This high altitude causes an impoverishment of the water of the rain on heavy isotope (18O).