Abstract
A three-dimensional GIS-based groundwater flow model for the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer in the eastern Sahara was developed and calibrated under steady-state and transient conditions. The model was used to simulate the response of the aquifer to climatic changes that occurred during the last 25,000 years. The simulation results indicated that the groundwater in this aquifer was formed by infiltration during the wet periods 20,000 and 5,000 years b.p. The recharge of groundwater due to regional groundwater flow from more humid areas in the south was excluded. It also indicates that the Nubian Aquifer System is a fossil aquifer, which had been in an unsteady state condition for the last 3,000 years.
Résumé
Pour l’aquifère gréseux Nubien de Sahara -Est on a mis au points un modèle tridimensionnel, basé sur GIS. Le modèle a été calibré tant pour l’écoulement stationnaire que pour l’écoulement transitoire. On a simulé après la réponse de l’aquifère aux changements climatiques des derniers 25000 ans. Les résultats des simulations indiquent que la nappe a été rechargée par des infiltrations pendant une période humide qui s’étend 5000 et 20000 ans, dès temps actuel. On n’a pas pris en compte la recharge de l’aquifère par la zone plus humide située dans sa partie sud. Le modèle indique aussi que l’eau de l’aquifère Nubien est une eau fossile qui a eu un écoulement transitoire pendant les derniers 3000 ans.
Resumen
Fue desarrollado un modelo de flujo de agua subterránea en tres dimensiones, basado en un SIG, para el Acuífero Arenisca Nubian en el Sahara Oriental, el cual fue calibrado para condiciones de estado estacionario y transitorio. El modelo se usó para simular la respuesta del acuífero a los cambios climáticos que ocurrieron durante los últimos 25000 años. Los resultados de esta simulación indicaron que el agua subterránea en este acuífero, se formó por infiltración, durante los períodos húmedos que hubo hace 20000 y 5000 años, antes del presente. Fue excluida la recarga del acuífero debida a un flujo regional de agua subterránea proveniente de áreas con un clima más húmedo en el sur. El modelo también muestra, que el Sistema Acuífero Nubian es un acuífero fósil, el cual ha permanecido en una condición de estado no estacionario, durante los últimos tres mil años.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ambroggi RP (1966) Water under Sahara. Sci Am 214:21–49
Amer A, Nour S, Meshriki M (1981) A finite element model for the Nubian Aquifer System in Egypt. Proceedings of the International Conference on Water Resources Management in Egypt (Cairo), pp 327–361
Ball J (1927) Problems of the Libyan Desert. Geogr J 70:21–38, 105–128, 209–224
CEDARE (2001) Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System Programme, Regional Maps. Cairo Office, Heliopolis, Cairo
Dahab KA, Ebraheem AM, El Sayed E (2003) Hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical conditions of the Nubian sandstone aquifer in the area between Abu Simbel and Tushka depression, Western Desert, Egypt. Neues Jahrb Geol Paläontol Abh 228(2):175–204
Ebraheem AM, Riad S, Wycisk P, Seif El Nasr AM (2002a) Simulation of impact of present and future groundwater extraction from the non-replenished Nubian Sandstone Aquifer in SW Egypt. Environ Geol 43:188–196
Ebraheem AM, Riad S, Wycisk P, Seif El Nasr AM (2002b) A local-scale groundwater flow model for the management options in Dakhla Oasis, SW Egypt. Hydrogeol J (in press)
Ezzat MA (1974) Groundwater series in the Arab Republic of Egypt; exploration of groundwater in El-Wadi El Gedid Project area, Part 1 to IV. General Desert Development Authority. Ministry of Irrigation. Cairo
Gischler MA (1976) Present and future trends in water resources development in Arab countries, UNESCO report
Heinl M, Brinkmann PJ (1989) A ground water model for the Nubian Aquifer System. IAHS Hydrol Sci J 34(4)425–447
Heinl M, Thorweihe U (1993) Groundwater resources and management in SW Egypt. In: Wycisk P, Meissner B (eds) Geopotential and ecology. Catena Suppl 26:99–121. Catena Verlag, Cremlingen-Destedt, Germany
Hellström B (1939) The subterranean water in the Libyan Desert. Geofis Ann 21
Hesse KH, Hissene A, Kheir O, Schnaecker E, Schneider M, Thorweihe U (1987) Hydrogeological investigations of the Nubian Aquifer System, Eastern Sahara. Berliner Geowiss Abh (A) 75:397–464, Berlin
Klitzsch E, Harms JG, Lejal-Nicol A, List FK (1979) Major subdivision and depositional environments of the Nubian strata, southwest Egypt. Bull Am Assoc Petrol Geol 63:967–974
Klitzsch E, Lejal-Nicol A (1984) Flora and fauna from strata in southern Egypt and northern Sudan. Berliner Geowiss Abh (A) 50:47–79, Berlin
Klitzsch E, Squyres HC (1990) Paleozoic and Mesozoic geological history of northeastern Africa based upon new interpretation of Nubian strata. Bull Am Assoc Petrol Geol 74(8):1203–1211
Kröpelin S (1993) Geomorphology, landscape evolution, and paleoclimates of southwest Egypt. In: Wycisk P, Meissner B (eds) Geopotential and ecology. Catena Suppl 26:67–97. Catena Verlag, Cremlingen-Destedt, Germany
Leake SA, Claar DV (1999) Procedures and computer programs for telescopic mesh refinement using MODFLOW. - Open , and US Geol Surv 99(238), 53 pp
Meissner B, Wycisk P (1993) Geopotential and ecology. Catena Suppl 26:99–121 Catena Verlag, Cremlingen-Destedt, Germany
Nour S (1996) Groundwater potential for irrigation in the east Oweinat area, Western Desert, Egypt. Environ Geol 27:143–154
Pachur H-J (1999) Paläo-Environment und Drainagesysteme der Ostsahara im Spätpleistozän und Holozän In: Nordost-Afrika Strukturen und Ressourcen. Deutsche Forschungemeinschaft. Wiley-VCH Verlag, Weinheim, Germany
Sandford KS (1935) Sources of water in the northern-western Sudan. Geogr J 85:412–431
Thorweihe U (1986) Isotopic identification and mass balance of the Nubian Aquifer System in Egypt. In: Thorweihe U (ed) Impact of climatic variations on East Saharian groundwaters: modeling of large-scale flow regimes. Proceedings of “Workshop on Hydrology”, Berliner Geowiss Abh (A) 72:55–78, Berlin
Thorweihe U (1990) Nubian Aquifer System. In: Said R (ed) The geology of Egypt, 2nd edn. Balkema, Rotterdam
Thorweihe U, Heinl M (1999) Grundwasserressourcen im Nubischen Aquifersystem. In: Nordost-Afrika Strukturen und Ressourcen. Deutsche Forschungemeinschaft. Wiley-VCH Verlag, Weinheim, Germany
Wycisk P (1993) Geology and mineral resources, Dakhla Basin, SW Egypt. In: Wycisk P, Meissner B (eds) Geopotential and ecology. Catena Suppl 26:67–97. Catena Verlag, Cremlingen-Destedt, Germany
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gossel, W., Ebraheem, A.M. & Wycisk, P. A very large scale GIS-based groundwater flow model for the Nubian sandstone aquifer in Eastern Sahara (Egypt, northern Sudan and eastern Libya). Hydrogeology Journal 12, 698–713 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-004-0379-4
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-004-0379-4