Integrated geophysical interpretation for delineating the structural elements and groundwater aquifers at central part of Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

Abstract

The study area is inhabited by Bedouins, suffering from scarcity of water necessary for domestic use and agricultural activities. The study area is located at central part of Sinai between Nakhl area and El Thamed area. Magnetic, gravity and geoelectric methods were used in this investigation to determine the groundwater aquifers and delineate the structural elements in the study area. Two hundreds and eighty eight magnetic and gravity stations were acquired by the EnviMag and Autograv CG3 instruments respectively. The magnetic data were processed by using Oasis Montaj. Reductions to the pole and 2D magnetic modeling were established to construct basement relief map. The depth to the basement rocks in the study area is ranging from 1200m to 7000m. The regional–residual separation and Euler deconvolution techniques were applied to the gravity data. Nine deep Vertical Electrical Sounding stations were measured to estimate the deep groundwater aquifer in the study area (Nubian Sandstone aquifer). The depth of upper surface of Nubian Sandstone aquifer is ranging between 975m and 1100m and affected by two major fault trends in the NE–SW and NW–SE directions.