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K. S. Gemail et al.
transmissivity which retards the velocity of groundwater up-flow through vertical
faulting zones and lead to the increasing of leaching processes of salts.
Keywords Groundwater potentialities · Nubian Sandstone Aquifer · Schlumberger
resistivity sounding · Dakhla Oasis · Hydrogeophysics · Borehole logs
1 Introduction
Recently, great awareness has been focused towards agricultural improvements and
sustainable development in the Egyptian deserts as in the southern parts of the
Western Desert. In these arid regions, the groundwater from Nubian Sandstone
Aquifer System (NSAS) is the only sources of water, hence the groundwater system
needs suitable assessment and management procedures for their permissible use
and to secure sustainable development. Certainly, abuse of groundwater from NSAS
without suitable management strategy caused serious degradation of water and soil
in the whole area (Amjath-Babua et al. 2016). As in the present case of NSAS which
is considered as a non-renewable resource for groundwater, the understanding of the
aquifer characterization and its boundaries is critical to evaluate groundwater potentialities for the planned usage and the impact of misuse and overuse of the resource
and environment (Foster and Loucks 2006).
Due to the unplanned management of water, the Dakhla Oasis in the Western
Desert is experiencing continual depreciation in groundwater level which induces
intense soil salinization leading to decline the quality and productivity of affected
resources (Masoud et al. 2018, 2019; Kimura et al. 2020). Such environmental issues
has occurred due to the rapid growth of agricultural activities in the area that greatly
increased the use of groundwater. Therefore, it is significant to recognize the aquifer
characterization in Dakhla Oasis ceaselessly to characterize the areal distribution of
aquifer layers in the area and determine the groundwater potentialities.
Surface geophysical methods can offer an essential role in exploration of groundwater at different depths, as it might offer a method for tending to groundwater potentiality and quality, by giving a spatially broad, non-invasive method for researching
the subsurface structures. DC resistivity is one of the most geophysical methods
employed for prospecting and assessment the subsurface conditions in hydrogeophysical investigations (Frohlich and Urish 2002; Gemail 2015; Gemail et al. 2016).
The Schlumberger vertical sounding technique is regularly employed in groundwater
investigations to determine the relatively high saturated zones based on the resistivity
patterns at depths down to 500 m. The method may also provide an indication of
groundwater quality based on the resistivity variations. Moreover, the DC resistivity
sounding technique offers suitable penetration depths and quantitative consequences
to understand the groundwater potentiality in the different aquifer conditions. The
advantages of this low-cost technology and helpful application in groundwater studies
K. S. Gemail et al.
transmissivity which retards the velocity of groundwater up-flow through vertical
faulting zones and lead to the increasing of leaching processes of salts.
Keywords Groundwater potentialities · Nubian Sandstone Aquifer · Schlumberger
resistivity sounding · Dakhla Oasis · Hydrogeophysics · Borehole logs
1 Introduction
Recently, great awareness has been focused towards agricultural improvements and
sustainable development in the Egyptian deserts as in the southern parts of the
Western Desert. In these arid regions, the groundwater from Nubian Sandstone
Aquifer System (NSAS) is the only sources of water, hence the groundwater system
needs suitable assessment and management procedures for their permissible use
and to secure sustainable development. Certainly, abuse of groundwater from NSAS
without suitable management strategy caused serious degradation of water and soil
in the whole area (Amjath-Babua et al. 2016). As in the present case of NSAS which
is considered as a non-renewable resource for groundwater, the understanding of the
aquifer characterization and its boundaries is critical to evaluate groundwater potentialities for the planned usage and the impact of misuse and overuse of the resource
and environment (Foster and Loucks 2006).
Due to the unplanned management of water, the Dakhla Oasis in the Western
Desert is experiencing continual depreciation in groundwater level which induces
intense soil salinization leading to decline the quality and productivity of affected
resources (Masoud et al. 2018, 2019; Kimura et al. 2020). Such environmental issues
has occurred due to the rapid growth of agricultural activities in the area that greatly
increased the use of groundwater. Therefore, it is significant to recognize the aquifer
characterization in Dakhla Oasis ceaselessly to characterize the areal distribution of
aquifer layers in the area and determine the groundwater potentialities.
Surface geophysical methods can offer an essential role in exploration of groundwater at different depths, as it might offer a method for tending to groundwater potentiality and quality, by giving a spatially broad, non-invasive method for researching
the subsurface structures. DC resistivity is one of the most geophysical methods
employed for prospecting and assessment the subsurface conditions in hydrogeophysical investigations (Frohlich and Urish 2002; Gemail 2015; Gemail et al. 2016).
The Schlumberger vertical sounding technique is regularly employed in groundwater
investigations to determine the relatively high saturated zones based on the resistivity
patterns at depths down to 500 m. The method may also provide an indication of
groundwater quality based on the resistivity variations. Moreover, the DC resistivity
sounding technique offers suitable penetration depths and quantitative consequences
to understand the groundwater potentiality in the different aquifer conditions. The
advantages of this low-cost technology and helpful application in groundwater studies