Mapping the Groundwater Potentiality of West Qena Area, Egypt, Using Integrated Remote Sensing and Hydro-Geophysical Techniques

Abstract

The integrated use of remote sensing imagery and hydro-geophysical field surveys is a well-established approach to map the hydrogeological framework, and thus explore and evaluate the groundwater potentiality of desert lands, where groundwater is considered as the main source of freshwater. This study uses such integrated approach to map the groundwater potentiality of the desert alluvial floodplain of the Nile Valley west of Qena, Egypt, as alternative water source to the River Nile. Typically ground gradient, faults and their stress field, lateral variation of rock permeability, drainage patterns, watersheds, rainfall, lithology, and soil types are the main factors believed to affect the groundwater recharge and storage from the infiltration of present-time and paleo-runoff. Following this generally accepted approach, different remote sensing data sets (SRTM DEM, Landsat-8, ALOS/PALSAR-1, Sentinel-1, and TRMM) as well as auxiliary maps (geological and soil maps) were used to identify and map these factors and prepare thematic maps portraying the different influences they exert on the groundwater recharge. These thematic maps were overlaid and integrated using weights in a GIS framework to generate the groundwater potentiality map which categorizes the different recharge capabilities into five zones. Moreover, the aeromagnetic data were processed to map the deep-seated structures and estimate the depth to basement rocks that may control the groundwater occurrence. In addition, the vertical electrical sounding (VES) measurements were applied and calibrated with the available borehole data to delineate the subsurface geological and hydrogeological setting as well as the groundwater aquifers. Different geoelectric cross-sections and hydro-geophysical maps were constructed using the borehole information and VES interpretation results to show the lateral extension of the different lithological units, groundwater-bearing zones, water table, and the saturated thickness of the aquifer. The GIS model and geophysical results show that the southwest part of Nag’a Hammadi-El-Ghoneimia stretch has very high recharge and storage potentiality and is characterized by the presence of two groundwater-bearing zones. The shallow groundwater aquifer is located at a depth of 30 m with a saturation thickness of more than 43 m. However, there are NW–SE faults crossing the study area and most likely serve as recharge conduits by connecting the shallow aquifer with the deeper ones. Such aquifers connection has been confirmed by investigating the chemical and isotopic composition of their groundwater.

Determination of Groundwater Potential Zones on the Eastern Slope of Mount Cameroon using Geospatial Techniques and Seismoelectric Method

“…The six thematic maps that were integrated to generate the GWPZ map have different degrees of in uence on aquifer recharge and thus groundwater occurrence and distribution potential as demonstrated in similar studies [10], [11], [15], [39]. The weighted thematic maps have a consistency ratio of 4.5% (0.045) (see Table 2) implying the reasoning of the AHP is consistent [15], [18] and the GWPZ map is reliable.…”

“…In addition to geophysical surveys, geospatial techniques can be used for groundwater exploration [8]- [10].…”

Community Adaptation Strategy to Flood Disaster in Baureno Village, Jatirejo District, Mojokerto Regency

“…Berkenaan dengan warga Desa Baureno, jika ditelaah dalam struktur masyarakat pedesaan, maka karakteristik masyarakat pedesaan yang menjunjung tinggi kebersamaan dimiliki pula oleh Warga desa Baureno (Gaber et al 2020. Berdasarkan kondisi masyarakat pedesaan seperti ini, maka diperkirakan dapat mempermudah kerja secara terpadu dalam menghadapi dan menyelesaikan masalah banjir bandang.…”

Application of remote sensing and gis to identify the vulnerability of ground-water pollution in topograhic karst

“…Several researchers have utilized remote sensing technology combined with geographic information systems to detect, map and analyze the presence of groundwater pollution in the Karst topographic environment. Their research locations for example at India, China, and the Nile Valley in Qena region [5]- [7].…”