Investigation of Groundwater Occurrences Along the Nile Valley Between South Cairo and Beni Suef, Egypt, Using Geophysical and Geodetic Techniques

Abstract

Abstract Water is becoming one of the most critical strategic challenges for any country. Egypt has numerous water resources, the most notable being the Nile River. Egypt must seek alternative resources because the development of an Ethiopian dam has reduced the Nile's water flow. Underground water is a source of available water. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the variables governing the flow of subsurface water in Egypt. The primary objective of this study is to examine the hydrological water flow along the Nile Valley between southern Cairo and Beni Suef, Egypt. Applying integrated geophysical and geodetic methods can improve our understanding of the hydrological regime. Fault and stress regimes have a direct effect on underground water flow. Aeromagnetic data were used to determine the main faults in the study area, and four geoelectrical long profiles were measured crossing the Nile Valley. Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements observed along geodetic points covered the study area. The magnetic results show that two faults hit the area, both of which have a pronounced magnetic pattern in the ENE–WSW direction, and two faults in the NW–SE direction. For the geoelectrical results, we observed that the second geoelectrical unit represents the main groundwater aquifer in this region, and it is regulated in the NW–SE direction. The obtained GNSS results demonstrate that compression forces in the south and north influence the hydrological system in the Nile Valley. Faults detected from geological maps and magnetic observations are also influenced by compression forces from the north and south, while the middle section displays tension forces. This geodynamic regime causes the water to flow toward the Nile Valley in the Southwestern of the study regions, whereas water flows outside the Nile Valley in the northeastern part.