Impact of subsurface structures on groundwater exploration using aeromagnetic and geoelectrical data: a case study at Aswan City, Egypt

Abstract

Geological evaluation and groundwater assessment, especially in arid areas, are considerable targets for constructing recent and sustainable development communities. The current work aims to apply an integrated approach to acquire geologic structures and groundwater potentiality at highly deformed area. As a case study, remote sensing (RS), aeromagnetic, and geoelectrical data are conducted to delineate the subsurface structures and hydrogeological regime at Aswan City. Initially, remote sensing data with GIS software are utilized to delineate the surface structures and watershed configuration. Moreover, the reduced to magnetic pole (RTP) aeromagnetic data is processed and interpreted using appropriate filters. In an attempt to demonstrate the subsurface structures and basement relief maps, the RTP map was analyzed considering the RS data which was stated in previous stage. In the light of RTP aeromagnetic results and well logging data, the direct current resistivity (DCR) sounding is executed particularly along paleochannel and flood plain portion. Due to the inversion process problem of DCR field data, advanced solutions and algorithms are applied to improve the property of the results. Based upon overall results mentioned above, the correlation between subsurface structures and aquifer formation can be monitored. The present approach can be applied for groundwater exploration in this and other similar geological and hydrogeological environments around the world.