Search

Sinai Peninsula is considered to be one of the most important geographical provinces in Egypt. Due to its short supply in the surface water, groundwater plays very important role as a water supply in Sinai. Therefore, the present study aims to identify the surface and subsurface geological and hydrogeological settings controlling the groundwater occurrences in a part of Central Sinai and to delineate the most proper sites for drilling water wells. The magnetic and geoelectrical resistivity sounding geophysical methods were integrally concerned to achieve such aims. Different techniques of processing and interpretation of the magnetic data were applied. The results of acquired magnetic data interpretation show that, the depth of the basement surface in the study area is ranging from about 1658 m to 1857 m below the sea level, which is shallower in the western part than eastern and northeastern parts of the study area. In addition, seventeen deep vertical electrical soundings using Schlumberger array with AB/2 ranging from 5 to 3000 m were measured in order to detect the depths of the Lower Cretaceous Nubian Sandstone aquifer which is represented in the study area by Malha Formation. The results of the resistivity data interpretation showed that, the Nubian Sandstone aquifer has its upper surface at depth ranging from about 316 m to 956 m below the sea level. This aquifer attains resistivity values ranging from about 50 Ω.m to 412 Ω.m, which makes it the main aquifer for probably fresh and good quality groundwater accumulations; as recorded from some of drilled water wells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]