Over thousands of years, the eastern part of the Mediterranean has developed ways to supply and manage its water resources. The most important evidence of this is the water networks that are distributed in the area. Case studies involving a literature review, fieldwork, sample collection and analysis were conducted that focused on two areas in the West Bank: Nablus city and the northern part of Jordan Valley. These locations were chosen because Nablus city and its vicinity have many of Roman tunnels and aqueducts while the Jordan Valley has many watermills. This study aims to examine the changes in water quality over time in various ways; in an attempt to explain environmental degradation, to understand archeological aspects relating to the water management system, and to piece together what sustained the past environmental development. Throughout centuries carbonate deposits have accumulated along the sidewalls of the water system, containing and archiving geochemical and hydraulic information. These carbonate deposits were sampled from the walls of tunnels together with water samples from the tunnel and surrounding springs in the area. In addition, carbonate sinter has accumulated at the outlet of the watermill on the water shaft. This sinter was also sampled along with water samples from the springs and the water in the Wadi in the area. Water and carbonate samples were analyzed. Water analysis included major cations and anions, trace elements, rare earth elements, 18O/16O isotope ratio, and 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio. Results indicate the presence of different underground water bodies and Sr resources. Furthermore, thin sections were made from the carbonate samples for SEM–EDX analyses and microscopic investigations. The microscope analysis showed that the distribution of minerals precipitated differs within one sample. Likewise, SEM–EDX results show a variation in element distribution along the growth axis. After finishing the analysis of water samples and thin sections, the layers of the carbonate samples were acidified and trace elements and rare earth elements were measured by means of ICP–MS. Then selected layers were prepared for isotope analyses (18O, 13C, and 87Sr/86Sr) and subsequently measured. The carbonate samples were dated using the U–Th method. Rare earth elements and trace elements measurements provide clear evidence that urbanization has an adverse effect on groundwater quality. Different groundwater bodies were identified by means of geochemical analysis. In the same way, the water sources used to feed the ancient water system were also identified. Through petrological and geochemical analysis, the sustainability of the watermill concept could be demonstrated. This study recommends a more controlled regulation of urbanization expansion. It will only be possible to continue living in this region with sufficient amounts of groundwater and innovative techniques for water supply and management that are environmentally sustainable, as it used to be centuries ago.

Policy makers adopt irrigated agriculture for food security, since irrigation doubles crop production. Therefore, the development of large irrigation systems has a long history in many places worldwide. Although large-scale irrigation schemes play an important role in improving food security, many schemes, especially in Africa, do not yield the expected outcomes. This is related to poor water management, which is generally due to a lack of effective evaluation and monitoring. The objective of this study, therefore, is to propose a new methodology to assess, evaluate and monitor large-scale irrigation systems. Information on irrigation indicators is needed to enable the evaluation of irrigation performance. The evaluation is the first and the most significant step in providing information about how it is performing. After reviewing extensive literature, a list of indicators related to the performance of irrigation, rainwater supply and productivity is suggested. The irrigation efficiency indicators Relative Irrigation Supply (RIS) and Relative Water Supply (RWS) are selected. Potential rainwater supply to crops can be tested based on the Moisture Availability Index (MAI) and the Ratio of Moisture Availability (RMA). Water productivity can be assessed by Crop Yield (Y) and Water Use Efficiency (WUE). However, the central problem facing large-scale irrigation schemes is always the lack of data, which calls for the development of a new method of data acquisition that allows evaluation and monitoring. Remote Sensing (RS) technology makes it possible to retrieve data across large areas. Two different approaches via RS, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Actual Evapotranspiration (ETa), can be utilized for monitoring. The well-known Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), derived from the NDVI, is modified (MVCI) to allow a qualitative spatio-temporal assessment of irrigation efficiency. MVCI takes into account crop response to water availability, while ETa indicates whether water is used as intended. Furthermore, the assessment of the possible hydrological impact of the irrigation system should be considered in the evaluation and monitoring process. The Sudanese Gezira Scheme of 8,000 square kilometers in the Nile Basin, where performance evaluation and monitoring are absent or poorly conducted, is no exception. This research takes the large-scale irrigation of the Gezira Scheme as a case study, as it is the largest scheme, not only in the Nile Basin but also in the world, under single management. The first long-term historical evaluation of the scheme is conducted for the period 1961–2012 rather than only on a short-time scale as is the common practice. An increase in RIS and RWS values from 1.40 and 1.70 to 2.23 and 2.60, respectively, since the 1993/94 season shows decreasing irrigation efficiency. MAI and RMA for summer crops indicate a promising rainfall contribution to irrigation in July and August. The Gezira Scheme achieves low yield and WUE in comparison to many irrigation schemes of the globe. Low productivity is mainly due to poor distribution and irrigation mismanagement. This is indicated by the 15-year MVCI spatio-temporal analysis, which shows that the northern part of the scheme experiences characteristic drought during the summer crop season. Although MVCI can be considered a monitoring tool, the index does not deduct the soil water content, and water could be wasted and available in other ways (e.g. water depressions). Spatio-temporal information for ETa is required to better quantify water depletion and establish links between land use and water allocation. However, several RS models have been developed for estimating ETa. Thus, improving the understanding of performance of such models in arid climates, as well as large-scale irrigation schemes, is taken into account in this study. Four different models based on the energy balance method, the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL), Mapping EvapoTranspiration at High Resolution with Internalized Calibration (METRIC™), Simplified Surface Energy Balance (SSEB) and MOD16 ET are applied in order to determine the optimal approach for obtaining ETa. Outputs from these models are compared to actual water balance (WB) estimates during the 2004/05 season at field scale. Several statistical measures are evaluated, and a score is given for each model in order to select the best-performing model. Based on ranking criteria, SSEB gives the best performance and is seen as a suitable operational ETa model for the scheme. SSEB subsequently is applied for summer and winter crop seasons for the period 2000–2014. Unfortunately, one of the limitations faced in the current research is the absence of validation data on a regional scale. Therefore, the assessment focuses on spatial distribution and trends rather than absolute values. As with the MVCI distribution, the seasonal ETa for the Gezira Scheme is higher in the southern and central parts than in the northern part. This confirms the robustness of the developed MVCI. To avoid using absolute values of ETa, the ratio of ETa from agricultural areas (ETagr) to the total evapotranspiration (ET) from the scheme (ETsum) is calculated. The ETagr/ETsum ratio shows a descending trend over recent years, indicating that the water is available but not being utilized for agricultural production. This study shows that SSEB is also useful for identifying the location of water losses on a daily basis. Around 80 channels are identified as having leakage problems for the 2013/14 crop season. Such information is very useful for reducing losses at the scheme. In addition, Rainwater Harvesting (WH) is addressed and found to be applicable as an alternative solution for accounting for rainfall in irrigation. It is seen that these management scenarios could save water and increase the overall efficiency of the scheme. It is possible to save 68 million cubic meters of water per year when the overall irrigation efficiency of the scheme is improved by only 1%. A level of efficiency of 75% is predicted from the proposed management scenarios, which could save about 2.6 billion cubic meters of water per year. In conclusion, the present study has developed an innovative method of identifying the problems of large-scale schemes as well as proposing management scenarios to enhance irrigation water management practice. Improved agricultural water management in terms of crop, water and land management can increase food production, thereby alleviating poverty and hunger in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Wasserwirtschaftliche Speichersysteme sind unverzichtbar, um weltweit die Trinkwasserversorgung, Nahrungsmittelproduktion und Energieversorgung sicherzustellen. Die multikriterielle simulationsbasierte Optimierung (MK-SBO) ist eine leistungsfähige Methodik, um für Mehrzweck-Talsperrenverbundsysteme (MZ-TVS) eine Pareto-optimale Menge an Kompromisslösungen zwischen konträren Zielen bereitzustellen. Der rechentechnische Aufwand steigt jedoch linear mit der Länge des Simulationszeitraums der Talsperrenbewirtschaftung an. Folglich begrenzen sich MK-SBO-Studien bisher auf Simulationszeiträume von wenigen Jahrzehnten. Diese Zeiträume sind i.d.R. unzureichend, um Unsicherheiten, die aus der stochastischen Natur der Zuflüsse resultieren, adäquat zu beschreiben. Bewirtschaftungsoptimierungen von MZ-TVS hinsichtlich ihrer Zuverlässigkeit, z.B. durch die Maximierung von Versorgungssicherheiten, können sich als wenig belastbar und ermittelte Steuerungsstrategien als wenig robust erweisen. Um diesen Herausforderungen zu begegnen, wird ein neues modulares Framework zur multikriteriellen simulationsbasierten Bewirtschaftungsoptimierung von MZ-TVS (Frams-BoT) entwickelt. Eine Informationserweiterung zu stochastischen Zuflussprozessen erfolgt über ein weiterentwickeltes Zeitreihenmodell mittels generierter Zeitreihen von mehreren Tausend Jahren Länge. Eine neue Methode zur Monte-Carlo-Rekombination von Zeitreihen ermöglicht dann die Nutzung dieser Informationen in der MK-SBO in wesentlich kürzeren Simulationszeiträumen. Weitere Rechenzeit wird durch Parallelisierung und eine fortgeschrittene Kodierung von Entscheidungsvariablen eingespart. Die Simulation von Zuflussdargeboten für multikriterielle Klimafolgenanalysen erfolgt durch ein prozessorientiertes Wasserhaushaltsmodell. Level-Diagramme (Blasco et al., 2008) unterstützten den komplexen Prozess der Entscheidungsfindung. Die Wirksamkeit und Flexibilität des Frameworks wurden in zwei Fallstudien gezeigt. In einer ersten Fallstudie konnten in einer Klimafolgenanalyse Versorgungssicherheiten von über 99% als ein Ziel eines multikriteriellen Optimierungsproblems maximiert werden, um die Verlässlichkeit der Bewirtschaftung eines MZ-TVS in Sachsen (Deutschland) zu steigern. Eine zweite Fallstudie befasste sich mit der Maximierung der Leistungsfähigkeit eines MZ-TVS in Äthiopien unter verschiedenen Problemformulierungen. In beiden Fallstudien erwiesen sich die erzielten Pareto-Fronten und Steuerungsstrategien gegenüber 10 000-jährigen Zeiträumen als robust. Die benötigten Rechenzeiten der MK-SBO ließen sich durch das Framework massiv senken. / Water resources systems are worldwide essential for a secure supply of potable water, food and energy production. Simulation-based multi-objective optimization (SB-MOO) is a powerful method to provide a set of Pareto-optimal compromise solutions between various contrary goals of multi-purpose multi-reservoir systems (MP-MRS). However, the computational costs increases with the length of the time period in which the reservoir management is simulated. Consequently, MK-SBO studies are currently restricted to simulation periods of several decades. These time periods are normally insufficient to describe the stochastic nature of the inflows and the consequent hydrological uncertainties. Therefore, an optimization of the reliability of management of MP-MRS, e.g. through the maximization of the security of supply, may not be resilient. Obtained management strategies may not prove robust. To address these challenges, a new modular framework for simulation-based multiobjective optimization of the reservoir management of multi-purpose multi-reservoir systems (Frams-BoT) is developed. A refined time series model provides time series of several thousand years to extend the available information about the stochastic inflow processes. Then, a new Monte-Carlo recombination method allows for the exploitation of the extended information in the SB-MOO on significantly shorter time periods. Further computational time is saved by parallelization and an advanced coding of decision variables. A processoriented water balance model is used to simulate inflows for multi-objective climate impact analysis. Level-Diagrams [Blasco et al., 2008] are used to support the complex process of decision-making. The effectiveness and flexibility of the framework is presented in two case studies. In the first case study about a MP-MRS in Germany, high securities of supply over 99% where maximized as part of a multi-objective optimization problem in order to improve the reliability of the reservoir management. A second case study addressed the maximization of the performance of a MP-MRS in Ethiopia under different formulations of the optimization problem. In both case studies, the obtained Pareto-Fronts and management strategies proved robust compared to 10 000 year time periods. The required computational times of the SB-MOO could be reduced considerably.

In dieser Broschüre werden erstmals für Sachsen in einem umfassenden Überblick die jeweiligen Betroffenheiten der verschiedenen Umweltmedien und Landnutzungen vom Klimawandel dargestellt und erläutert. Darüber hinaus werden nicht nur bereits eingeleitete, umgesetzte bzw. sich in Planung befindliche Anpassungsmaßnahmen vorgestellt, sondern auch Handlungsoptionen für die Zukunft aufgezeigt. Redaktionsschluss: 10.11.2015

Policy makers adopt irrigated agriculture for food security, since irrigation doubles crop production. Therefore, the development of large irrigation systems has a long history in many places worldwide. Although large-scale irrigation schemes play an important role in improving food security, many schemes, especially in Africa, do not yield the expected outcomes. This is related to poor water management, which is generally due to a lack of effective evaluation and monitoring. The objective of this study, therefore, is to propose a new methodology to assess, evaluate and monitor large-scale irrigation systems. Information on irrigation indicators is needed to enable the evaluation of irrigation performance. The evaluation is the first and the most significant step in providing information about how it is performing. After reviewing extensive literature, a list of indicators related to the performance of irrigation, rainwater supply and productivity is suggested. The irrigation efficiency indicators Relative Irrigation Supply (RIS) and Relative Water Supply (RWS) are selected. Potential rainwater supply to crops can be tested based on the Moisture Availability Index (MAI) and the Ratio of Moisture Availability (RMA). Water productivity can be assessed by Crop Yield (Y) and Water Use Efficiency (WUE). However, the central problem facing large-scale irrigation schemes is always the lack of data, which calls for the development of a new method of data acquisition that allows evaluation and monitoring. Remote Sensing (RS) technology makes it possible to retrieve data across large areas. Two different approaches via RS, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Actual Evapotranspiration (ETa), can be utilized for monitoring. The well-known Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), derived from the NDVI, is modified (MVCI) to allow a qualitative spatio-temporal assessment of irrigation efficiency. MVCI takes into account crop response to water availability, while ETa indicates whether water is used as intended. Furthermore, the assessment of the possible hydrological impact of the irrigation system should be considered in the evaluation and monitoring process. The Sudanese Gezira Scheme of 8,000 square kilometers in the Nile Basin, where performance evaluation and monitoring are absent or poorly conducted, is no exception. This research takes the large-scale irrigation of the Gezira Scheme as a case study, as it is the largest scheme, not only in the Nile Basin but also in the world, under single management. The first long-term historical evaluation of the scheme is conducted for the period 1961–2012 rather than only on a short-time scale as is the common practice. An increase in RIS and RWS values from 1.40 and 1.70 to 2.23 and 2.60, respectively, since the 1993/94 season shows decreasing irrigation efficiency. MAI and RMA for summer crops indicate a promising rainfall contribution to irrigation in July and August. The Gezira Scheme achieves low yield and WUE in comparison to many irrigation schemes of the globe. Low productivity is mainly due to poor distribution and irrigation mismanagement. This is indicated by the 15-year MVCI spatio-temporal analysis, which shows that the northern part of the scheme experiences characteristic drought during the summer crop season. Although MVCI can be considered a monitoring tool, the index does not deduct the soil water content, and water could be wasted and available in other ways (e.g. water depressions). Spatio-temporal information for ETa is required to better quantify water depletion and establish links between land use and water allocation. However, several RS models have been developed for estimating ETa. Thus, improving the understanding of performance of such models in arid climates, as well as large-scale irrigation schemes, is taken into account in this study. Four different models based on the energy balance method, the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL), Mapping EvapoTranspiration at High Resolution with Internalized Calibration (METRIC™), Simplified Surface Energy Balance (SSEB) and MOD16 ET are applied in order to determine the optimal approach for obtaining ETa. Outputs from these models are compared to actual water balance (WB) estimates during the 2004/05 season at field scale. Several statistical measures are evaluated, and a score is given for each model in order to select the best-performing model. Based on ranking criteria, SSEB gives the best performance and is seen as a suitable operational ETa model for the scheme. SSEB subsequently is applied for summer and winter crop seasons for the period 2000–2014. Unfortunately, one of the limitations faced in the current research is the absence of validation data on a regional scale. Therefore, the assessment focuses on spatial distribution and trends rather than absolute values. As with the MVCI distribution, the seasonal ETa for the Gezira Scheme is higher in the southern and central parts than in the northern part. This confirms the robustness of the developed MVCI. To avoid using absolute values of ETa, the ratio of ETa from agricultural areas (ETagr) to the total evapotranspiration (ET) from the scheme (ETsum) is calculated. The ETagr/ETsum ratio shows a descending trend over recent years, indicating that the water is available but not being utilized for agricultural production. This study shows that SSEB is also useful for identifying the location of water losses on a daily basis. Around 80 channels are identified as having leakage problems for the 2013/14 crop season. Such information is very useful for reducing losses at the scheme. In addition, Rainwater Harvesting (WH) is addressed and found to be applicable as an alternative solution for accounting for rainfall in irrigation. It is seen that these management scenarios could save water and increase the overall efficiency of the scheme. It is possible to save 68 million cubic meters of water per year when the overall irrigation efficiency of the scheme is improved by only 1%. A level of efficiency of 75% is predicted from the proposed management scenarios, which could save about 2.6 billion cubic meters of water per year. In conclusion, the present study has developed an innovative method of identifying the problems of large-scale schemes as well as proposing management scenarios to enhance irrigation water management practice. Improved agricultural water management in terms of crop, water and land management can increase food production, thereby alleviating poverty and hunger in an environmentally sustainable manner.

Wasserwirtschaftliche Speichersysteme sind unverzichtbar, um weltweit die Trinkwasserversorgung, Nahrungsmittelproduktion und Energieversorgung sicherzustellen. Die multikriterielle simulationsbasierte Optimierung (MK-SBO) ist eine leistungsfähige Methodik, um für Mehrzweck-Talsperrenverbundsysteme (MZ-TVS) eine Pareto-optimale Menge an Kompromisslösungen zwischen konträren Zielen bereitzustellen. Der rechentechnische Aufwand steigt jedoch linear mit der Länge des Simulationszeitraums der Talsperrenbewirtschaftung an. Folglich begrenzen sich MK-SBO-Studien bisher auf Simulationszeiträume von wenigen Jahrzehnten. Diese Zeiträume sind i.d.R. unzureichend, um Unsicherheiten, die aus der stochastischen Natur der Zuflüsse resultieren, adäquat zu beschreiben. Bewirtschaftungsoptimierungen von MZ-TVS hinsichtlich ihrer Zuverlässigkeit, z.B. durch die Maximierung von Versorgungssicherheiten, können sich als wenig belastbar und ermittelte Steuerungsstrategien als wenig robust erweisen. Um diesen Herausforderungen zu begegnen, wird ein neues modulares Framework zur multikriteriellen simulationsbasierten Bewirtschaftungsoptimierung von MZ-TVS (Frams-BoT) entwickelt. Eine Informationserweiterung zu stochastischen Zuflussprozessen erfolgt über ein weiterentwickeltes Zeitreihenmodell mittels generierter Zeitreihen von mehreren Tausend Jahren Länge. Eine neue Methode zur Monte-Carlo-Rekombination von Zeitreihen ermöglicht dann die Nutzung dieser Informationen in der MK-SBO in wesentlich kürzeren Simulationszeiträumen. Weitere Rechenzeit wird durch Parallelisierung und eine fortgeschrittene Kodierung von Entscheidungsvariablen eingespart. Die Simulation von Zuflussdargeboten für multikriterielle Klimafolgenanalysen erfolgt durch ein prozessorientiertes Wasserhaushaltsmodell. Level-Diagramme (Blasco et al., 2008) unterstützten den komplexen Prozess der Entscheidungsfindung. Die Wirksamkeit und Flexibilität des Frameworks wurden in zwei Fallstudien gezeigt. In einer ersten Fallstudie konnten in einer Klimafolgenanalyse Versorgungssicherheiten von über 99% als ein Ziel eines multikriteriellen Optimierungsproblems maximiert werden, um die Verlässlichkeit der Bewirtschaftung eines MZ-TVS in Sachsen (Deutschland) zu steigern. Eine zweite Fallstudie befasste sich mit der Maximierung der Leistungsfähigkeit eines MZ-TVS in Äthiopien unter verschiedenen Problemformulierungen. In beiden Fallstudien erwiesen sich die erzielten Pareto-Fronten und Steuerungsstrategien gegenüber 10 000-jährigen Zeiträumen als robust. Die benötigten Rechenzeiten der MK-SBO ließen sich durch das Framework massiv senken. / Water resources systems are worldwide essential for a secure supply of potable water, food and energy production. Simulation-based multi-objective optimization (SB-MOO) is a powerful method to provide a set of Pareto-optimal compromise solutions between various contrary goals of multi-purpose multi-reservoir systems (MP-MRS). However, the computational costs increases with the length of the time period in which the reservoir management is simulated. Consequently, MK-SBO studies are currently restricted to simulation periods of several decades. These time periods are normally insufficient to describe the stochastic nature of the inflows and the consequent hydrological uncertainties. Therefore, an optimization of the reliability of management of MP-MRS, e.g. through the maximization of the security of supply, may not be resilient. Obtained management strategies may not prove robust. To address these challenges, a new modular framework for simulation-based multiobjective optimization of the reservoir management of multi-purpose multi-reservoir systems (Frams-BoT) is developed. A refined time series model provides time series of several thousand years to extend the available information about the stochastic inflow processes. Then, a new Monte-Carlo recombination method allows for the exploitation of the extended information in the SB-MOO on significantly shorter time periods. Further computational time is saved by parallelization and an advanced coding of decision variables. A processoriented water balance model is used to simulate inflows for multi-objective climate impact analysis. Level-Diagrams [Blasco et al., 2008] are used to support the complex process of decision-making. The effectiveness and flexibility of the framework is presented in two case studies. In the first case study about a MP-MRS in Germany, high securities of supply over 99% where maximized as part of a multi-objective optimization problem in order to improve the reliability of the reservoir management. A second case study addressed the maximization of the performance of a MP-MRS in Ethiopia under different formulations of the optimization problem. In both case studies, the obtained Pareto-Fronts and management strategies proved robust compared to 10 000 year time periods. The required computational times of the SB-MOO could be reduced considerably.

Over thousands of years, the eastern part of the Mediterranean has developed ways to supply and manage its water resources. The most important evidence of this is the water networks that are distributed in the area. Case studies involving a literature review, fieldwork, sample collection and analysis were conducted that focused on two areas in the West Bank: Nablus city and the northern part of Jordan Valley. These locations were chosen because Nablus city and its vicinity have many of Roman tunnels and aqueducts while the Jordan Valley has many watermills. This study aims to examine the changes in water quality over time in various ways; in an attempt to explain environmental degradation, to understand archeological aspects relating to the water management system, and to piece together what sustained the past environmental development. Throughout centuries carbonate deposits have accumulated along the sidewalls of the water system, containing and archiving geochemical and hydraulic information. These carbonate deposits were sampled from the walls of tunnels together with water samples from the tunnel and surrounding springs in the area. In addition, carbonate sinter has accumulated at the outlet of the watermill on the water shaft. This sinter was also sampled along with water samples from the springs and the water in the Wadi in the area. Water and carbonate samples were analyzed. Water analysis included major cations and anions, trace elements, rare earth elements, 18O/16O isotope ratio, and 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio. Results indicate the presence of different underground water bodies and Sr resources. Furthermore, thin sections were made from the carbonate samples for SEM–EDX analyses and microscopic investigations. The microscope analysis showed that the distribution of minerals precipitated differs within one sample. Likewise, SEM–EDX results show a variation in element distribution along the growth axis. After finishing the analysis of water samples and thin sections, the layers of the carbonate samples were acidified and trace elements and rare earth elements were measured by means of ICP–MS. Then selected layers were prepared for isotope analyses (18O, 13C, and 87Sr/86Sr) and subsequently measured. The carbonate samples were dated using the U–Th method. Rare earth elements and trace elements measurements provide clear evidence that urbanization has an adverse effect on groundwater quality. Different groundwater bodies were identified by means of geochemical analysis. In the same way, the water sources used to feed the ancient water system were also identified. Through petrological and geochemical analysis, the sustainability of the watermill concept could be demonstrated. This study recommends a more controlled regulation of urbanization expansion. It will only be possible to continue living in this region with sufficient amounts of groundwater and innovative techniques for water supply and management that are environmentally sustainable, as it used to be centuries ago.:Declaration V Acknowledgment VI Abstract VIII List of Figures X List of Tables XVI List of Abbreviations XVII Terms and definitions XIX 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Structure of the thesis 1 1.2 General information, background 2 1.2.1 Spiritual value of water in Palestine 2 1.2.2 Water resources and management condition in Palestine 3 1.2.3 Water crisis in Palestine 4 1.3 Motivation 5 1.4 Hypothesis 6 1.5 Location of study area 6 1.5.1 Description of geology and hydrogeology of the study area 8 1.5.2 Climate 13 2. Literature review 18 2.1 Research history of aqueducts 18 2.2 Aqueducts in Palestine 18 2.2.1 Agricultural aqueducts (related to watermills) in Palestine 20 2.3 Utilization of springs in Palestine 21 2.3.1 Ancient water system in Nablus–Sebestia 22 2.4 Carbonate sinter accumulation in aqueducts and artificial water network 24 2.4.1 Research history of secondary carbonate sinter 26 2.4.2 Growth mechanism of secondary carbonate 29 2.4.3 Carbonate sinter analysis 30 3. Methodology 33 3.1 Literature review 33 3.2 Fieldwork 34 3.3 Sampling and analysis 37 3.3.1 Water samples: 37 3.3.2 Carbonate samples 38 3.3.3 U–Th series dating 41 3.4 Software used 43 3.5 Challenges 43 4. Results and discussion (Nablus area) 45 4.1 Ancient water system description 45 4.2 Water sample results and discussion 54 4.2.1 Stable isotope 59 4.2.2 Strontium isotope analysis (87Sr/86Sr) 60 4.2.3 Saturation index 62 4.2.4 Discussion 63 4.3 Carbonate analysis (host rock) 64 4.4 Aqueduct building material 65 4.5 Secondary carbonate analysis 66 4.5.1 Ras Al Ein location (S-2) 66 4.5.2 Ijnisinya location (S-9) 72 4.5.3 Harun Location (S-8) 79 4.5.4 Water tunnel Location (A-1) 86 4.5.5 Water aqueduct Location (A-4) 99 4.6 Discussion 101 4.6.1 Is urbanization a source of groundwater quality degradation? 101 4.6.3 Paleoclimate calculations 105 5. Results and discussion (Al Malih area) 107 5.1 Water system description 107 5.2 Geochemical results (water) 108 5.3 Geochemical results (Carbonate) 111 5.3 Sustainability of watermills 113 6. Conclusions and recommendation 115 6.1 Conclusions 115 6.2 Recommendations 116 6.2.1 Recommendation for further research 116 6.2.2 Recommendation for policy makers 116 References 118

Die Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, welche Aspekte auf die Infrastrukturentwicklung im Abwasserbereich und insbesondere die Verbreitung alternativer Technologien auf Haushaltsebene Einfluss nehmen. Dabei werden technische, ökologische, ökonomische und soziale Wechselwirkungen zwischen der dezentralen und der zentralen Entsorgung berücksichtigt. Der Fokus liegt dabei auf dem ländlichen Raum der neuen Bundesländer. Es wird ein Simulationsmodell entwickelt, das das Verständnis über die Relevanz von Unsicherheiten in der Abwasserbeseitigung verbessern und eine Bewertung möglicher Maßnahmen hinsichtlich der Wirkung auf Gewässerschutz und Wirtschaftlichkeit erlauben soll. Zu diesem Zweck werden verschiedene Szenarien analysiert. Es zeigt sich zum einen, dass eine Verringerung der Ablauffrachten aus dezentralen Anlagen durch eine Reihe von Maßnahmen möglich ist, die in Abhängigkeit von den Rahmenbedingungen (Einsparpotenziale, Eigenkapitalausstattung, Umweltbewusstsein etc.) unterschiedlich wirken und daher auch situationsabhängig einzusetzen sind. Dazu gehören etwa die Entwicklung von Förderinstrumenten und Finanzierungsmodellen, ökologische Kampagnen, die Bekanntmachung von Investitionstätigkeiten, die frühzeitige Information über rechtliche Veränderungen und der gezielte Einsatz von Sanierungsanordnungen. Zum anderen können bei der zentralen Entsorgung gerade im ländlichen Raum Auslastungs- und Finanzierungsprobleme entstehen, die den weiteren Ausbau der zentralen Infrastruktur gefährden. Die Szenarien zeigen, dass daher bei der Infrastrukturplanung Unsicherheiten der Bevölkerungsentwicklung und insbesondere des spezifischen Abwasseranfalls berücksichtigt werden müssen. Eine zentrale Entsorgung ist im ländlichen Raum zu sozialverträglichen Gebühren nur unter erheblichem Fördermitteleinsatz möglich. Wichtigste Maßnahme zur Abschwächung der positiven Rückkopplung aus steigenden Gebühren und sinkendem Abwasseranfall ist die Erhebung von Grundgebühren.