Hydrogeochemical Characteristics of Groundwater from Wadi Asal and Wadi Queih, Quseir, Red Sea, Egypt

Document Type : Regular Articles

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Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt

Abstract

The study area in Wadi Asal and Wadi Queih at Quseir area, Red Sea, Egypt, suffers from different natural and anthropogenic processes due to rock variability, mining, and human activities. Groundwater is the only source of fresh water in the area. Three major hydrogeological units are recorded for groundwater in the study area; the Quaternary, the fractured Precambrian, and the Phanerozoic aquifers. The hydrogeochemical properties of groundwater were evaluated through the chemical analysis of 5 collected water samples from available wells in the study area. The resulting groundwater is characterized by Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ and Cl–> SO42− > HCO3–, in Queih wells while Asal has Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ and Cl– > SO42− > HCO3–. The hydrochemical facies in this area fall in the field of Ca-Na-Cl-SO4 for Queih, and Na-Ca-Cl-SO4 for Asal, indicating Ca2+ and Na+ are the dominant cations in the groundwaters from Queih and Asal areas with mixing or dissolution (for Queih water samples) and reverse ion exchange reactions (for Asal water samples) as the prevalent hydrochemical processes controlling their chemistry. High K+ and NO3– in Queih are due to agricultural activities accelerated by using potassium fertilizers. TDS is more than 3000 mg/L, and the Middle Miocene sandstone aquifer of Asal water is more saline than the Cretaceous aquifers of Queih due to the presence of faults and dykes that allows water to infiltrate with great leaching processes from surrounding aquifers lithologies. Monitoring the natural and anthropogenic activities that influence groundwater quality around Safaga-Quseir District, Red Sea, is essential for the future sustainable management of water resources.

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