Uranium isotope disequilibrium studies and the geohydrology of the Arava Rift Valley, Israel

²³⁴U/²³⁸U disequilibrium was employed to study the geohydrology of the Arava Valley. In this very arid region no appreciable direct rainfall replenishment occurs. Recharge takes place as aquifers on the surrounding hills drain laterally into the graben, as well as by flood wash percolating downwards. The mixture of flood water with varying percentages of drainage from the Nubian Sandstone paleowaters, along with subordinate drainage from the Judea Group (predominantly the lower subaquifer) is reflected in the uranium signature of the water bodies exploited in the rift valley. -Authors