Aquifer characterization and groundwater potentiality in southeastern Desert, Egypt using integrated remote sensing techniques.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Academy of Scientific Research and Technology.

2 Geology Deptartment, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University.

3 National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG), Helwan, Cairo, Egypt.

4 Deptartment of Geology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University.

Abstract

Egypt — the most populous country in the North African Sahara — is observing one of the highest water budget deficits in the world of more than 40 BCM/yr., which necessitates water augmentation and the expansion of using unconventional water resources. Groundwater exploration and aquifer characterization using integrated remote sensing techniques have been proven efficient in several locations in Egypt. The present study utilized optical and radar satellite images to examine the various geological and geomorphological features that can be indicative of groundwater occurrences in Wadi Diit, Shalateen -Abo Ramad area, southeastern Desert. Given that the large-scale alluvial fan represents the termination of major catchment with up to a seventh stream order, and that the southeastern Desert of Egypt and northern Sudan receives a relatively considerable rainfall (i.e., average annual rates between 100-200 mm), the surficial analysis suggests a high potentiality of groundwater in Wadi Diit alluvium fan contingent to suitable subsurface setting. The integration of satellite-derived digital elevation model (DEM), optical satellite images and rainfall data (CHIRPS) revealed that the average annual precipitation is 41.8 mm/year and thus the volume of annual precipitation attains 2.035 km3 /year with an annual recharge to the aquifer of 394 x106 m3 for the whole ba-sin. The preliminary findings suggest a high potentiality of groundwater exploration in Wadi Diit, southeastern Desert of Egypt. However, to better understand portioning in the groundwater and the amount of groundwater that reaches the alluvium plain, several geophysical methods should be used to characterize subsurface composition.

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