Pliocene Aquifer Characterization Using TEM and VES Geophysical Techniques: Case Study at the Area to the East of Wadi El-Natrun City, West Nile Delta, Egypt

Abstract

AbstractThe present work aims to characterize the Pliocene groundwater bearing formation at the region to the east of Wadi El-Natrun city and to the northwest of El-Sadat city, West Nile Delta, Egypt by using a combined interpretation of DC vertical electrical sounding (VES) and transient electromagnetic (TEM) data. The VES survey has been carried out during several campaigns, where a sum of 57 VES stations was established along eight profiles. In order to collect the geoelectric data, Schlumberger array was used with AB/2 values varying from 1 to 500 m. Very close to the VES stations, a single-loop configuration of 50 × 50 m2 was used to measure 47 TEM stations. The results revealed the aquifer geometries and its spatial extents and determined the most promising sites for drilling new productive boreholes. They also indicate that the Pliocene groundwater bearing layer, which is divided into two sub-aquifers, is the main aquifer in the survey region. The upper Pliocene aquifer is found at a depth varying from 30 to 70 m, has a thickness of 20–60 m, and resistivity values of 28–70 Ω.m. The lower Pliocene aquifer is encountered at depths ranging from 95 to 135 m, and has resistivity values ranging from 33 to 57 Ω.m. The findings of this research can serve as a valuable groundwater information base to help establishing new cities and land reclamation projects supported by the Egyptian government plan of the sustainable development strategy for the year 2030.KeywordsWadi El-NatrunEl-Sadat cityWest Nile DeltaTEMVESGroundwater