An integrated approach for groundwater assessment at the Northwestern Coast of Egypt (Ras El Hekma area): case study

Ras El Hekma area was chosen for the present study due to its special conditions; the area lacks water for human and agriculture proposes. This area represents one of the main headlands along the southern Mediterranean coast, where population growth and agricultural activities require the corresponding development of groundwater. The main objective of this paper is to monitor and record data about the current groundwater as well as to have a systematic understanding of the hydrogeological setting in the area of study. Also, one of the study objectives is to identify and assess the factors which affect the groundwater occurrence and quality. This assessment will contribute to groundwater protection. The study area has three aquifers: Holocene, Pleistocene, and Middle Miocene aquifers. The recharge to these aquifers comes from the direct infiltration of rainfall and from the surface runoff. Rock–water interaction and the effect of solution and leaching processes on the mineralization of groundwater are studied using the PHREEQC model. Seawater intrusion contributes effectively to the increase in water salinity. The present study clarifies the relationship between the depth to water, the sea level and salinity of water. The groundwater in the area of study is evaluated for drinking, domestic, livestock and agricultural purposes. The present study suggests some recommendations for developing the groundwater in the study area.