Groundwater assessment of miocene aquifer in the coastal plain between abu ramad and halayeb, southeastern portion, eastern desert, red sea

Abstract EN

This paper aims to focus the light on the groundwater conditions of Miocene aquifer in the coastal plain between Abu Ramadi and Halaby, southeastern portion of Eastern Desert, Red Sea.

Six water points are tapping this aquifer.

The depth to water varies from 11 m (Bir Abu Ramadi) to 20.89 m Bir Halayeb 3) from the ground surface.

The main sources of recharge are the rain water and surface runoff on the area under investigation during the present time as well as during the ancient wet periods.

In a trial to elucidate and calculate the hydraulic parameters of the study aquifer, five pumping tests were performed on the study wells.

The transmissivity of the shallow zone ranges between 1.9 m2 / day (Bir Yobeeb) and 4.3 m2 / day (Bir Emblacit), while it varies from 21.6 m2 / day (Bir Halaby 2) to 27 m2 / day (Bir Halaby 3) for deep zone.

The low values of hydraulic parameters are due to the absence of condensed fractures, small thickness of water bearing formation, as well as the low rate of recharge.

These properties have a direct impact on the groundwater movement (more or less stagnant).

Therefore, this phenomenon gives the chance for leaching and dissolution of terrestrial salts.

Finally, it reflects a saline water type.

Three multi- step tests were carried out on the drilled wells (Halaby 1, Halaby 2 & Halayeb 3).

The obtained results of these tests displayed low efficiency of the drilled wells (Well efficiency ranges between 45.42 % and 59.26 %).) This means that these wells are not completely developed beside the unsuitability of gravel packs.

Water harvesting and conservation should be implemented to trap runoff floods in cisterns for different purposes.