Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Institute of African Research and Studies - Department of Natural Resources

Groundwater is an important natural resource and is considered the main source of water in desert areas. More than 95% of the Egyptian territories are deserts. The present cultivated areas do not have the potential to provide the food needs of the growing human population, so more groundwater must be extracted from the aquifer for reclaiming desert lands. The Nubian sandstone Aquifer system is a regional hydrogeological system in the north east corner of Africa. The major units of the aquifer system are predominately filled by Paleozoic and Mesozoic sandstone forming a groundwater bearing formation rests directly on the Pre-Cambrian rocks El Bahariya Oasis is a case study area. This study concerns mainly with the groundwater occurrences, movements and qualities within the Nubia aquifer in Bahariya depression. To achieve these aims the following techniques are applied; filed investigations of morphologic features, the surface and subsurface geologic succession, structures, surveying of 152 water points, measuring of piezometeric heads and well discharges, caring out pumping and recovery tests, collecting and analysis of 84 groundwater samples, field measuring of their pH and electrical conductivity

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