Geospatial Information and Environmental Isotopes for Hydrogeological Evaluation: Ras Alam El Rum, Northwestern Coast of Egypt

Abstract

The present study demonstrates the potential of the geospatial information as well as isotopes and chemical analyses to elucidate the hydrogeological setting of the study area. The main objective of this research is to identify factors affecting the occurrence and quality of groundwater in the study area. The Ras Alam El Rum is the pilot area chosen in the northwestern coast of Egypt to evaluate the carbonate aquifer with emphasis on the Middle Miocene aquifer, which has been explored recently. The average of annual precipitation and surface runoff amounts were estimated to indicate possibility of groundwater recharge, where the water-bearing rocks are mainly fractured. The isotope data indicate that the groundwater was derived from rainwater, the recharge source is local precipitation, and no indication of seawater intrusion was recorded. The salinity of the groundwater is attributed to interaction between the water and aquifer rocks represented by limestone, dolomitic limestone, and marl. The mineral indices obtained from the geochemical model reveal that the groundwater is over-saturated with aragonite, calcite, dolomite, strontianite, and barite. The hydrogeological evaluation of the study area led to recommendations to determine of the suitable areas for exploration of the Middle Miocene aquifer and to protect groundwater from deterioration.