Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Yarmouk University
Irbid 21163
Jordan
Expected changes in the chemical composition of Dead Sea (DS) water as a result of the implementation of the Red Sea-Dead Sea canal are modeled. Using historical data as well as knowledge of the chemistry of the canal water, thermodynamic equilibrium models using PHRQPITZ are constructed. The results show that massive deposition of gypsum is to be expected, and significant icrease in salinity will occur. Moreover, the reestablishment of a stable pycnocline as expected by other researchers will not occur. The DS will reach supersauration with respect to halite in about 50 years.
