Title: An assessment of water resources at Halayib and Shelatine sub regions, southeastern desert, Egypt, using conventional and isotopic approaches

Authors: S.A. Al-Gamal; S.A. El-Sayed; E.R. Atta; A.A. Nada

Addresses: Egyptian Atomic Energy and Taxila University, 3 Ahmed Al-Zomor St., P.O. Box 7551, Nasr City 11762, Cairo, Egypt ' Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA), 3 Ahmed Al-Zomor St. 8th Avenue, Nasr City 11762, Cairo, Egypt ' Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA), 3 Ahmed Al-Zomor St. 8th Avenue, Nasr City 11762, Cairo, Egypt ' Egyptian Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Authority (ENRRA), 3 Ahmed Al-Zomor St. 8th Avenue, Nasr City 11762, Cairo, Egypt

Abstract: Managing both groundwater and surface water resources is the ultimate aim of the present work. Surface water resources are expressed as runoff water down- percolating due to flash flood events for catchments areas at Halayib and Shelatine sub regions. Hydrologic response of the selected watersheds subjected to single storm event is tested. Base flow source areas and major recharge areas were delineated by field infiltration tests using conventional infiltrometer and the water isotopes of O-18 and H-2. Groundwater resources are represented by two main aquifers; Quaternary aquifers composed of wadi fill deposits resting unconformable over fluviatile sandstone of Um-Barmil Formation of Upper Cretaceous age. Isotopic data (δ¹⁸O and δ²H) has revealed the presence of paleowater (highly depleted in delta values) in a hydraulic connection with modern water of Quaternary aquifer (slightly enriched in delta values) receiving direct recharge from the present day precipitation. Accordingly mixing between modern water of Quaternary aquifer with paleowater of Cretaceous aquifer is most likely to occur.

Keywords: groundwater; surface water; infiltration; environmental isotopes; d-excess; aquifer; watershed; Egypt.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2019.098166

International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology, 2019 Vol.9 No.2, pp.201 - 219

Received: 01 Apr 2017
Accepted: 01 Oct 2017
Published online: 05 Mar 2019 *

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