Hydrogeochemical Evaluation of the Quaternary Aquifer in El Sadat City, Egypt

Abstract

Land reclamation projects and construction of new cities represent one of the Egypt’s strategic polices to meet the over increasing population. The Quaternary aquifer represents the main water bearing formation in the study area, which extends from the Rosetta branch in the east to Wadi El-Natrun in the west and from south El-Khattab road at south to El-Nubaria and El-Nasser canals in the north. The present hydrogeological conditions of this area are studied to understand the stresses imposed by these reclamation projects and extensive use of groundwater on heads and quality. The hydraulic head map shows that the aquifer is recharged from the Nile Delta in the east. The present work throws light on the hydrochemistry of the Quaternary aquifer facies in El Sadat City and determines geochemical type, origin, evolution of groundwater and their relation to the prevailing hydrogeological and environmental conditions, and finally evaluates the suitability of ground water for different uses.