Abstracto

Hydrogeochemical evaluation of the area between El Daba'a and Ras El hekma, North western coast, Egypt

Mohammed Ahmed Gomaa, Gilan Abdelwahab Omar

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the present hydrogeochemistry of the area between El DabaÂ’a and Ras El Hekma. Two main water-bearing formations are recognized, the first is the Pleistocene at both El DabaÂ’a and Ras El Hekma areas, while the second is the Miocene aquifer at El DabaÂ’a only. The recharging source is the rainfall. The groundwater flow direction is mainly northward. Fifty groundwater samples were chosen to evaluate aquifersÂ’ quality. The investigated groundwater varies from fresh to saline, moderately hard to very hard. The groundwater salinity and the concentration of major constituents increase in the same direction of the groundwater flow, particularly in theMiocene groundwater. The mainwater type is Cl-Na, reflecting the mature phase of groundwater metasomatism. The study of ion ratios as well as the hypothetical salts reflects the impacts of marine sediments rich in Ca and Mg on groundwater quality. The investigated water is super saturated with carbonate minerals, which cause a scale formation. Some recommendations are given.