The Nile Delta is located in the arid zone belt of northeast Africa. The water resources include both surface water (canals and drains) and groundwater withdrawn from the Quaternary aquifer. The Quaternary aquifer classified into two hydrogeological units; the upper unit is the Holocene aquitard and the lower one is the Pleistocene aquifer. The changes of lithological composition and thickness of the Holocene aquitard make the Pleistocene aquifer more vulnerable to contamination. Besides, the water-seepage from a recently developed brackish-water pond at Abu Zaabal Quarries may contaminate shallow groundwater of the Pleistocene aquifer.
The objective was to study the impact of local hydrogeological conditions and human activities on water resources at the southeastern part of the Nile Delta (El Khanka area). To achieve that, water level map of the Pleistocene aquifer, thickness map of the Holocene aquitard, hydrogeological cross sections are constructed. Surface water and groundwater samples chemically and bacteriologically analyzed. The distribution maps for different pollutants in groundwater are carefully studied.
Results indicate that both surface water and groundwater in the study area are suffering from quality problems related mainly to natural and human-related factors. High concentrations of salinity, major elements, nitrate, and trace elements are detected in the water samples. The number of E. Coli bacteria is high in surface water and shallow groundwater. So, water treatment before drinking is a must. |
