Hydrology: Current Research

Geoelectrical Exploration in South Qantara Shark Area for Supplementary Irrigation Purpose-Sinai-Egypt

Abstract

Mostafa Said Barseem, Talaat Ali Abd El Lateef, Hosny Mahomud Ezz E Deen and Abd Allah Al Abaseiry Abdel Rahman

This research paper is dealing with Geoelectrical Exploration as a Geophysical method used, Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) and 2D profile imaging to find a solution of the problems affecting the research station in South of Qantara Skark. This research station is one of the desert research center stations used to develop the desert for agriculture. The area of study is suffering from the shortage of irrigation water whereas, it depends on the water flow of the tributary of Salam Canal which being not available all the time. The appropriate solutions of these problems have been delineated by the results of 1D and 2D geoelectrical measurements. It exhibits the subsurface sedimentary sequences and extension of subsurface layers in horizontal and vertical directions especially in the groundwater aquifer. Moreover, the most suitable locations of drilling water wells could be detected. The surface and subsurface layers of the quaternary deposits consists of sand, sandy clay and clay facies. Nineteen Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) are arranged as a grid to cover the study area and two 2D geoelectrical imaging profiles are acquired. The results are represented through different contour maps and cross sections that exhibit the horizontal distribution of successive layers which reflect the lithology and changes in all directions. The water bearing layers consisted of two zones. The upper one was less salty than the lower one. The thickness of the upper zone ranges from 5 to 7 meters, but the lower zone ranges between 15 and 30 meters. The last detected layer is clay that decreases in depth towards the Southwest of the study area, causing the phenomenon of water logging. The thickness of the upper zone of the water bearing layer is inadequate for irrigation. Recommended basins to be constructed and filled through nearby drilled wells to overcome this problem. The most suitable location to dig a channel for water drainage is in the Southwest, where there is a less depth to the clay layer and all the layers are dipping toward this side