International Journal of Engineering Research and Reviews
ISSN 2348-697X (Online) Vol. 10, Issue 1, pp: (31-38), Month: January - March 2022, Available at: www.researchpublish.com
Assessment the Sustainability of Nubian Sandstone Aquifer Using Numerical Modelling in Wadi Hodein- Eastern Desert- Egypt Mohamed S. M. Zayed1, Marwa M. Aly2, Sameh A. Sakr3 1
Assistant lecturer, Faculty of Engineering, Mataria, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
2 3
Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Mataria, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
Professor in Groundwater Institute, National Water Research Center, NWRC, Cairo, Egypt
Abstract: Groundwater is an important source of water in desert wadies, where due to aridity conditions and scarcity of surface water, Residents and Bedouins depend on it in their daily lives. Wadi Hodein is one of the largest wadies in the Egyptian Eastern Desert that relying on groundwater abstraction from Nubian Sandstone Aquifer (NSA). There are several shallow wells penetrate the NSA, but the most important deep wells are Abu Saafa and El Dief wells. Bedouins strongly depend on these wells for drinking purpose. The aim of this research is to assess the potentiality of the groundwater aquifer under the present stresses, in order to preserve the sustainability of this essential water resources to ensure the stability of the inhabitants in this important border region in the future. Visual Modflow 3.0. was run to simulate the groundwater conditions in the aquifer. The model was run for 50 years to assess the sustainability of pumping from these wells based on a sensitivity analysis between specific yield and drawdown under the current discharging rates. The results revealed that the existing wells are in the safe side under the current discharge rates and it is highly recommended to keep the discharge from these wells in the range between (5- 20 m3/hr) to avoid water depletions in shallow wells excavated by residents other wise these shallow wells should be deepened. Keywords: Nubian Sandstone Aquifer (NSA) – Sustainability -Visual Modflow - Sensitivity analysis.
1. INTRODUCTION Wadi Hodein is one of the most significant wadis located in the southern part of the Eastern Desert. It is suffering from shortage in fresh water, where the main source of water is the rainwater. Therefore, Bedouins and residents in some regions inside the study area depend on groundwater wells despite its limit potential. To guarantee sustainability of these wells, the potentiality of the groundwater in (NSA) should be assessed. Few researches deal with groundwater resources in Wadi Hodein due to its very limited available data. (Al Gamal, 2019) worked on groundwater and surface water hydrology management at Halayib and Shalatine sub regions. He used the classical approach of pumping test (Todd & Wiley, 1980) and the non – conventional approach of environmental isotopes for 16 groundwater samples for groundwater hydrology management. The results categorized groundwater into three categories: The first category represents palaeo-groundwater highly depleted in delta values for Santa, Deif, Gederiet and Abu-Saafa wells. The second category, representing groundwater moderately enriched in delta-values for Abu-Ramad, Shelatin, Maadi, Abraq, Nabeit and Aqua-Matar wells. The third category represents groundwater highly enriched in delta values for Gahlia and Omereit wells. (NWRC,2011) studied the groundwater aquifers in wadi Hodein. it concluded that 3 aquifers are existing in the study area with limited storage. Also, it recommended that discharge rate from development wells must not exceed 5m3/hr. (Yousef, et al. 2009) used geologic map, topographic maps, TM satellite image, field observations and measurements to identify the geomorphological characteristics (Land Form and Morphometry), some geological features, hydrogeological and hydro chemical conditions of some wadies south of Shalatine city. The results revealed that the morphometric parameters of the wadis reduce flooding ability and good chance for groundwater recharge. (Ismail, et al. 2006) selected 23 water point from the Basement rock and Nubian sandstone aquifer in Wadi Hodein to evaluate the groundwater resources quantitively and qualitatively. The results showed that the poor groundwater potentiality of the fractured basement aquifer is attributed to the weak chance of infiltration of water during
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