Integration of shallow geoelectrical investigations for delineating the hidden water springs, case study: Ayun Mousa, Northern Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Abstract

Ayun Mousa area lies at the northern part of the Eastern Gulf of Suez. It has a world-wide reputation for its touristic, historical and religious concepts for the skyey believers (Muslims, Christians and Jewfishes). The already known Ayun (water springs) Mousa are seven, while the hidden are five. Therefore, it is planned to adapt these geoelectrical surveys to explore the five concealed ayun. The used shallow geoelectric methods are: the natural self-potential, the artificial vertical electrical sounding and two-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography. This is to trace these ayun laterally and vertically. The self-potential measurements were done using high impedance voltmeter and porous pots containing saturated solution of copper sulfate through four parts of the study area (A, B, C and D). Also, the vertical electrical resistivity measurements were acquired, using Eleric-T instrument, through Schlumberger array for six VESes, three to the north and three to the south directions. Moreover, the two-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography measurements were been accomplished, using Eleric-T instrument through six profiles, based on the results of the spontaneous polarization positive anomalies. However, the self-potential anomalies succeeded to outline the SP anomalies around seven of these ayun and other number of positive SP anomalies, defining the ambiguous ayun. Both types of these ayun were affected by a major NNW-SSE normal fault throwing westward and dissected by a number of ENE-WSW strike-slip faults. The VES results succeeded to subdivide the shallow section into five layers of varying rock and water contents, consequently defined the layers saturated with water and those barren, without any indication about the sites of known and unknown ayun. Finally, the ERT results succeeded to follow the seven already discovered ayun and other seven unknown ones. By this way, it is recommend to carryout GPR profiles, to reduce the seven unknown ayun into five.