Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Hydrogeological studies on the Nubian sandstone aquifer in El-Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The current study aimed to evaluate hydrogeologically the Nubian sandstone aquifer in El-Bahariya Oasis. It represents the main water-bearing horizon in the study area and consists of continental elastic sediments, mainly sandstone alternating with shale and clays. The general flow lines are directed from SW to NE direction, as detected from the constructed potentiometric head contour map. The piezometric surface reaches 149 m in El-Heiz area at the southern part, while it reaches 90 m at the northern, reflecting higher pressure head of the aquifer in the southern part. The map also illustrates that the southern part is considered as the most promising location for development. The structural elements play an important role in the deposition and distribution of the sedimentary succession of the Nubian sandstone sediments. Consequently, this sedimentary pattern affects the occurrences and movements of the groundwater within the aquifer system. Along the structurally high areas, in the study area, the piezometric head increases, while the reverse is recorded along the structurally low areas. The step-drawdown tests data were carried out by calculating the aquifer loss coefficient (B) and the well loss constant (C). The B values are smaller compared with C values, indicating that the aquifer under pressure has a behavior of leaky aquifer; therefore, it shows hydraulic connection with surrounding formation. The values of well efficiency range from 78.50% to 87.76%. Analysis of 12 pumping test data (constant discharge tests) was carried out in order to calculate the Nubian aquifer hydraulic parameters (transmissivity, hydraulic conductivity, and storage coefficient). The transmissivity values decrease from 3,045 m2/day in the southern part (El-Heiz area) to 236 m2/day in the northeastern part (El-Harra area). Accordingly, the aquifer classified as a high to moderate potentiality. Transmissivity contour map observes gradual increase of transmissivity values from the southern to northeastern direction. This may be due to the increase of shale or clay content in the concerned aquifer in that direction. The storage coefficient values range between 1.04 × 10−4 and 5.22 × 10−3, as obtained from the results of pumping test analysis, which ensure that the Nubian sandstone aquifer is classified as semi-confined to confined aquifer type. The S values show a decrease from southwest to northeast direction as detected from S-map. The hydraulic conductivity values vary from to 0.46 m/day in the northern part to 10.88 m/day in the southern part with an average of 5.67 m/day. According to the classification based on K values, the aquifer is mainly composed of coarse sand.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ayouty MK, Ezzat MA (1961) Hydrogeological observations in the search for underground water in the Western Desert of Egypt. IASH Symp Athens I 56:114–119

    Google Scholar 

  • CEDARE—Center for Environment and Development for Arab Region and Europe (2001) Regional strategy for the utilization of the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System. Cairo, V.I, II and III

  • Diab MS (1972) Hydrogeological and hydrochemical studies of the Nubian sandstone water-bearing complex in some localities in United Arab Republic. PhD Thesis, Assiut University, Egypt

  • Ebraheem A, Riad S, Wycisk P, Seif El-Nasr A (2002) Simulation of impact of present and future groundwater extraction from the non-replenished Nubian Sandstone Aquifer in southwest Egypt. Environ Geol 43(1–2):188–196

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Akkad S, Issawi B (1963) Geology and iron ore deposits of the Bahariya Oasis. Geological Survey and Mineral Research Department, Egypt, p 301, Paper 18

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Bassyouny AA (1978) Structure of the northeastern plateau of the Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt. Geol Mijnb 57:77–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Ezzat MA (1959) Origin of the underground water in Libya Desert and preliminary evaluation of its amount. Report of G.D.D.O, Cairo

    Google Scholar 

  • Gheorhge A (1979) Processing and synthesis of hydrogeological data. Abacus, Aess 390 p

  • Gossel W, Ebraheem AM, Wycisk P (2004) A very large scale GIS-based groundwater flow model for the Nubian sandstone aquifer in Eastern Sahara (Egypt, northern Sudan and eastern Libya). Hydrogeol J 12(6):698–713

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gutentag ED, Heimes FJ, Krothe NC, Luckey RR, Weks JB (1984) Geohydrology of high plains aquifer in parts of Cdorado, Kanas, Nebrask, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. U.S. Geological Solvey professional paper 1400-B, p 63

  • Heinl M, Thorweihe U (1993) Groundwater resources and management in W-Egypt. In Meissner, B, Wycisk, P (eds). Geopotential and ecology: analysis of a desert region. Catena supplement 26, pp. 99–121

  • Himida IH (1964). Artesian water of the oases of Libyan Desert in U.A.R. Ph.D. Thesis, M.G.R.U., Moscow (Russian language)

  • Himida IH (1966) A quantitative study of artesian water exploitation resources in Kharga and Dakhla Oases, Western Desert of Egypt. Extrait du Bull de l’Inst du Desert d’Egypte, Tom 16(2):31–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Himida IH (1970) The Nubian artesian basin, its regional hydrogeological aspects and palaeohydrological reconstruction. J Hydrol, Neozeland 9(2):89–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacob CE (1964) Drawdown test to determine effective radius of artesian well. Proc Am Soc Civil Engrs 79(5)

  • Karanjac J, Braticevic C (1994) Groundwater for Windows (GWW). National Resources Environment Planning and Management Branch, United Nations, New York, 10017, USA

  • Khalifa RM (2006) Study of groundwater resources management in El-Bahariya Oasis. Ph.D. Thesis, Fac. Sci. Alexandria Univ., p 226

  • Korany EA. (1984). On the demonstration of the hydrogeological control by local geologic structures, Bahariya Oasis, Egypt. E. G. S. Proc. of 3rd Ann. M., pp. 341–355

  • Kruseman GP, DeRidder NA (1970) Analysis and evaluation of pumping test data. International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement, Wageningen, p 200

    Google Scholar 

  • Said R (1962) The geology of Egypt. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p 377

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoeller H (1962) Geochemie des eaux souterraines. Rev de I’ Institut Francais du Petrole 10:230–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Shata AA (1982) Hydrology of the Great Nubia Sandstone Basin. Egypt Q J Eng Geol 15:127–133

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soliman SM, Faris MI, EI-Badry OA (1970) Litho stratigraphy of the Cretaceous formations in the Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt. (UAR-) 7th Arab Petroleum Cong. Kuwait, 11, 59 (B-3), p 30

  • Todd DK (1980) Groundwater hydrology. Wiley, New York, p 535

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the unit of Environmental Studies and Development for providing lab facilities and support to accomplish this work. We also thank Prof. Dr. S. A. Selim and to Prof. Dr. Awad A. Omran for their help, efforts, guidance, and facilities through the progress of this work. Our thanks are due to Ali M. Werwer, chairman of REGWA company in Cairo for providing some well data used in this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology Department, Faculty of Science in Aswan, South Valley University, Aswan, Egypt

    Ali M. Hamdan

  2. Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt

    Rashad F. Sawires

Authors
  1. Ali M. Hamdan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rashad F. Sawires
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ali M. Hamdan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hamdan, A.M., Sawires, R.F. Hydrogeological studies on the Nubian sandstone aquifer in El-Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt. Arab J Geosci 6, 1333–1347 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0439-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0439-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation