Shimaa M. SALEM, Talaat Ali ABDELLATIF, Hosny M. Ezz EL DEEN, Islam N. EL-NEKHIELY, El-Arabi H. SHENDI

Impact of sea water intrusion on groundwater aquifers using geoelectrical techniques: A case study, the new port of Jarjob, El-Negila area, Marsa Matrouh, Egypt

Introduction

Impact of sea water intrusion on groundwater aquifers using geoelectrical techniques: a case study, the new port of jarjob, el-negila area, marsa matrouh, egypt. Investigate seawater intrusion's impact on groundwater aquifers in Marsa Matrouh, Egypt, using geoelectrical VES & TEM. Identifies faults as intrusion conduits, guiding well drilling recommendations.

Abstract

This research investigates the effect of seawater intrusion on groundwater quality in the western coastal zone of the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt, between Wadi Abu Emera and Abu-Hesha. The objective of this research is to study the effect of seawater intrusion on groundwater quality, using geoelectrical techniques including vertical electrical resistivity soundings (VES) and time-domain electromagnetic methods (TEM). Ten Schlumberger VES with a current electrode distance of as high as 600 m and twenty TEM soundings with a single loop of 200 × 200 metres were carried out during this study. Processing and interpretation of the field data concluded that the geoelectrical succession of the area consists of three layers, where the bottom layer is the water-bearing formation. Also, the resistivity values decrease with depth and towards the Mediterranean Sea because of the seawater intrusion. This intrusion occurs along a system of faults that act as conduits to bring seawater inland. It is recommended to avoid the locations of these faults while drilling wells unless these wells are used for the desalination process. These faults serve as conduits for seawater to migrate inland. In contrast, the southern portion of the survey area is suitable for well drilling, provided that careful measures are implemented to maintain the wells' safe yield.

Review

This research provides a timely and relevant investigation into the critical environmental issue of seawater intrusion in the western coastal zone of the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt. The title precisely identifies the core subject, methodology, and geographical focus, setting clear expectations for the reader. The abstract outlines a well-defined objective: to assess the impact of seawater intrusion on groundwater quality through the application of geoelectrical techniques, specifically Vertical Electrical Soundings (VES) and Time-Domain Electromagnetic (TEM) methods. This approach is highly appropriate for non-invasive subsurface characterization, making it a valuable tool for hydrogeological studies in vulnerable coastal aquifers. The methodology described demonstrates a robust and comprehensive field effort. The execution of ten Schlumberger VES with significant current electrode spacing (up to 600m) and twenty TEM soundings with a substantial 200x200m loop size indicates an intention to achieve considerable depth penetration and detailed spatial coverage. The interpretation of these data successfully revealed a three-layer geoelectrical succession, with the deepest layer confirmed as the primary water-bearing formation. A key finding is the clear observation of decreasing resistivity values both with depth and towards the Mediterranean Sea, unequivocally indicating the presence and extent of saline intrusion. Furthermore, the identification of fault systems acting as critical conduits for seawater migration inland represents a significant contribution to understanding the hydrogeological controls on salinization in the area. The study culminates in practical and actionable recommendations, which are particularly commendable. The advice to avoid drilling production wells in fault-prone zones, unless specifically for desalination, directly addresses sustainable groundwater management. Conversely, the identification of the southern portion of the survey area as suitable for well drilling, coupled with the crucial proviso of maintaining safe yield, offers tangible guidance for water resource development. While the abstract effectively conveys the study's strengths and findings, a complete manuscript would benefit from a more detailed discussion on the geological nature of the identified faults and the specific hydrogeological context that makes them preferential pathways for intrusion. Overall, this research delivers valuable insights into the mechanisms of seawater intrusion and provides essential data for informed decision-making in coastal aquifer management.

Full Text

Comments

You need to be logged in to post a comment.