QUATERNARY AQUIFER HYDROCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT,EL-TUR AREA, SOUTH SINAI, EGYPT

Abstract

The main water supply source is the Quaternary aquifer in El-Tur area, southwest Sinai governorate, Egypt.The groundwater of the Quaternary aquifer is of meteoric origin, mainly recharged by surface runoffs and the outflow of subsurface from the Pre-Cambrian basement rock fractures.The groundwater flow direction is from east to west.Twenty one groundwater samples from several wells were collected and analyzed at El-Tur area.Several hydrochemical characteristics were determined including physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, hardness, and total dissolved solids).Major anions (sulfate, chloride, and bicarbonate) and major cations (sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium) were also analyzed.Groundwater is an alkaline and salinity ranges from fresh water (363 mg/l) to saline water (24210 mg/l).The chloride and sodium content predominate in groundwater.The calcium is more than magnesium in terms of content.The results of the chemical analyses refer that the types of water are NaCl and MgCl 2 of marine genesis as well as CaCl 2 of old marine genesis.Na-Cl-SO 4 water dominates.According to Piper trilinear diagram, groundwater samples are NaCl and mixed Ca/MgCl type.The saturation indices for minerals were calculated and used to understand the rock-water interactions.The results indicate to the presence of 7 minerals that reflect the chemical properties of the shallow aquifer.The majority of groundwater samples is unsuitable for drinking and requires treatment for irrigation.The current study was conducted for qualitative analysis depending on groundwater physicochemical parameters.