Investigation of groundwater potential using magnetic and satellite image data at Wadi El Amal, Aswan, Egypt

Abstract

In this study Aeromagnetic, ground-based magnetic and satellite imagery data have been processed and analyzed to delineate surface and subsurface structures to clarify its impacts on groundwater flow direction, and to detect the thickness of groundwater aquifer’s (accumulation) in the study area. To achieve this target, an interpretation of satellite digital elevation data is processed to generate the main drainage pattern in the area to delineate the Watersheds basins and where the surface water can be accumulated. Moreover, Aeromagnetic data have been used to detect the sedimentary cover in the area, and to assess the thickness distribution of the Nubian aquifer to detect the most eligible aquifer with the largest thickness, consequently the largest amount of groundwater reserve. Also, the ground magnetic survey was conducted in Wadi El Amal to reassure the results obtained from the airborne data. Two main approach techniques were applied to the data. Firstly, the trend analysis applied to the first vertical derivative map to detect main trend analysis and faults. The second approach is to calculate the depth to the basement, which represents the base of the Nubian aquifer in the area under consideration. The final results of the main trend found as follow, the ENE-WSW, NW-SE, and NE-SW trend which found to be is the main trend. The water table in this area is about 100 m, the calculated depth to the basement in the deepest parts study area is ranging between −300 and −700 below ground surface. The integration between satellite techniques and geophysical tools can give us the whole picture of groundwater distribution and its recharge sources.