Characterization of The Interaction Between Surface Water and Groundwater Using Major Ion Chemistry and Stable Isotopes Northwest Sinai Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Desert research center, Egypt

2 Faculty of science Zagazig University, Egypt.

3 Faculty of science Benha University, Egypt

Abstract

The relationship between groundwater and surface water in the area north west of Sinai were studied based on major
ion chemistry and stable isotopes. The physico-chemical characteristics of the groundwater in the study area indicate that
different hydrochemical conditions exist defining geochemical zones with distinct groundwater types. Groundwater
samples in the area were classified according to its origin as 78% meteoric and 22% marine, the majority of groundwater
samples belong to the more advanced grade of meta-somatic sequence (Cl- > SO4
-- > HCO3
-
). The least mineralized water
is found close to El-Salam canal, which is considered as the main recharging source, and the salinity of groundwater
increases significantly with distance away from the canal.
Geochemical reaction models have been constructed using major anions and cations and stable isotopes data
concentrations observed in the groundwater and surface water samples. These data were processed along flow path to
assess the hydrogeochemical processes and calculate the mixing ratios with the different surface water sources. Halite,
Calcite, Montmorillonite, Cation exchange, Gypsum, Biotite, Dolomite and Alunite minerals were included as phases in
NETPATH model due to the aeolian deposits (sand dune and sand sheets) and alluvial plain deposits (sand mixed with
silt and dark clay) that cover most parts of the study area. Mixing phenomena reflected the impact of El-Salam canal as
well as sea water on the groundwater quality in the study area. 

Keywords

Journal of Basic and Environmental Sciences
Volume 5, Issue 2
April 2018
Pages 134-148

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