Evaluation of alternatives for lowering the groundwater table in a village in upper Egypt affected by the construction of the New Naga Hammadi barrage

The Egyptian government is replacing the existing Naga Hammadi barrage, located across the Nile River some 450 km south of Cairo, with the New Naga Hammadi barrage (NNHB) to incorporate a hydropower plant and to improve conditions for river traffic. The new structure will lead to an increase in river water levels, both locally near the new barrage and upstream. The rise in river water levels will in turn result in changes in groundwater levels in the aquifer system up and downstream of the barrages. In this paper, an area is chosen, which is expected to suffer from a high groundwater table after the construction of the NNHB, to investigate the problem and propose alternatives for lowering the groundwater levels. The study area is a village called Bakhaness, with an area of 588 ha. It is located some 1.5 km upstream of the NNHB. A computer model (MicroFEM) has been used to simulate the groundwater conditions before and after construction of the NNHB. Alternatives for lowering the groundwater table are proposed, simulated and evaluated. The systems, which are assessed are a municipal sewer system, a system of perforated pipes in urban areas, and tile drainage with different values of efficiency in agricultural areas.     

Recharge,geochemical processes and water quality in karst aquifers: Central West Bank,Palestine

The Central West Bank aquifer (CWB) is one of the most important resources of fresh groundwater of Palestine. The geology of the area consists mainly of karstic and permeable limestones and dolomites interbedded with argillaceous beds of late Albian–Turonian age. Exploitation of the CWB aquifer, combined with lack of information required to understand the groundwater pattern, represents a challenge for reservoir management. The present work reports hydrogeochemistry, microbiology and environmental isotope data from spring water samples, which were utilized to understand recharge mechanisms, geochemical evolution and renewability of groundwater in CWB aquifer. Besides the major chemical compositions, ionic ratios were used to delineate mineral-solution reactions and weathering processes. Interpretation of chemical data suggests that the chemical evolution of groundwater is primarily controlled by (1) water–rock interactions, involving dissolution of carbonate minerals (calcite and dolomite), and (2) cation exchange processes. The measured equation of the local meteoric water line is δD?=?5.8 δ¹⁸O?+?9.9. Stable isotopes show that precipitation is the source of recharge to the groundwater system. The evaporation line has a linear increasing trend from south to north direction in the study area. All analyzed spring waters are suitable for irrigation, but not for drinking purposes. The results from this study can serve as a basis for decision-makers and stakeholders, with the intention to increase the understanding of sustainable management of the CWBs.     

徐家围子断陷深层结构形成与演化的探讨

徐家围子断陷是松辽盆地北部深层最重要的含气断陷。本文根据最新地震和钻井资料综合研究成果,结合前人研究认识,探讨了徐家围子断陷的形成与演化,认为徐家围子断陷在区域构造位置上处于东北地区松辽盆地的北部,处于松辽盆地区域莫霍面隆起的西斜坡上,特定的位置决定了其形成演化的各个阶段受东北地区区域板块构造运动的控制,与松辽盆地的形成与演化具有一定的关系。徐家围子断陷形成与演化可以划分为5个阶段,是太平洋构造域板块间的相互作用和深部热力作用发育演化的结果,这种过程造就了现今南北分块、东西分带、凹隆相间、构造复杂和沉积岩与火山岩并存的地质结构。徐家围子断陷深层现今构造格局受控于近NW向的徐中断裂、近SN向的徐西断裂、近NW向的徐东断裂带和四组近NE向的断裂。本次研究,对以往无法解释的很多地质现象给予了很好的解释,得出了一些崭新的认识,也从宏观上为寻找天然气资源给予了有力指导。