Structural effect on the groundwater at the Arish City, north eastern part of Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

Structural effect on the groundwater at the Arish City,
north eastern part of Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
Mahmoud I. I. Mohamaden and S. Abu Shagar
*National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt.
E-mail: [email protected]
Received 7th May 2009, Accepted 20th June 2009
Abstract
Arish area is considered as the most promising area for agricultural development in north Sinai. Groundwater is the
most important resources necessary for such development. Ninety seven vertical electrical soundings (V.E.S.’s), using
Schlumberger array were carried out in Arish area. The main goal of such survey was to elucidate hydrogeological
information and to delineate subsurface structural elements. V.E.S. curves were interpreted using a 2-D horizontal
layering resistivity model assumption. The interpretation results showed that the geoelectrical succession consists of
three geoelectrical layers. The top layer is formed of gravely sand with relatively high electrical resistivity values, the
second layer is composed of sand (aquifer) with relatively intermediate electrical resistivity values and the third layer is
made up of clay (aquiclude) with relatively low electrical resistivity values. As for groundwater potentiality, the second
layer is highly promising to be the water-bearing layer. The maximum depth to water ranges between 5.6 to 176 m.
structurally the study area is divided into three zones: The northern two zones may be including saltwater intrusion
seepage from the sea water. The southern zone might include the fresh water.
Keywords: Groundwater, V.E.S., aquifer, Arish.