The hydrogeologic connection between Lake Nasser and the Nubian Sandstone aquifer in Toshka area, South Western Desert, Egypt

The hydrogeologic connection between Lake Nasser and the Nubian
Sandstone aquifer in Toshka area, South Western Desert, Egypt
El Sabri, M.A.Sh1
, El Sheikh, A.E1
. and EL Osta, M.M2
1. Hydrology department, Desert Research Center, Matariya, Cairo.
2. Geology Department, Faculty of Science. Alexandria University Damanhour Branch.
Emails: [email protected], [email protected] & [email protected]
Received 24th May 2010, Accepted 27th July 2010
Abstract
The groundwater samples of the Nubian Sandstone aquifer were subjected to chemical and isotopic (Oxygen
eighteen and Deuterium) analysis with respect to geological and hydrogeological parameters. The lithology of the
concerned aquifer in most parts of the area has vertical and horizontal changes. This aspect is more represented
towards the western and the northern parts where a rich content of clay and calcareous materials is encountered in
the aquifer sediments. The obtained results from pumping and recovery tests recorded high potential and good
quality aquifer in the eastern and southern parts and low potential to moderate quality aquifer in the western and
northern parts. The isotopic content of the Nubian aquifer shows a general enrichment of δ O-18 (from -11‰ to -1.3
‰) and δ D (from -84.8 ‰ to -23.2‰). These percentages indicate the contribution of recent Lake Nasser recharge
to the groundwater aquifer.
Keywords: Nubian Sandstone aquifer; transmissivity; hydraulic conductivity; chemical and isotopic analysis; Lake
Nasser recharge.