DEVELOPMENT OF THE WATER RESOURCES IN WADI

QENA BASIN, EASTERN DESERT, EGYPT

A Thesis Submitted

BY

Hussien Mohammed Hussien Mohammed

(B. Sc., Geology, Cairo University, 2004)

(M.Sc., Geology, Ain Shams University, 2011)

For

To

Geology Department, Faculty of Science

Ain Shams University

Supervisors

Prof. Dr. Ezzat. A. Korany

Professor of Hydrogeology, Geology

Department, Faculty of Science, Ain

Shams University

Prof. Dr. Tarek. A. Aggour

Professor of Hydrogeology, Geology

Department, Desert Research Center

Prof. Dr. Alan. E. Kehew

Professor of Hydrogeology,

Geosciences Department, Western

Michigan University

Dr. Abdel-Mohsen. H. M. Hassanein

Assistant professor of Hydrogeology,

Geology Department, Desert Research

Center

Dr. Samah. M. Morsy

Lecturer of Hydrogeology, Geology Department,

Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University

Geology Department

Faculty of Science

Ain Shams University

2017

Ain Shams University

Faculty of science

Geology Department

The Ph. D. Degree in Geology

(Hydrogeology)

Approval sheet

DEVELOPMENT OF THE WATER RESOURCES IN WADI QENA BASIN, EASTERN DESERT,

EGYPT

A Thesis

Submitted for the requirements of the Ph.D.

Degree in Geology (Hydrogeology)

By

Hussien Mohammed Hussien

Supervision Committee:

Prof. Dr. Ezzat A. Korany

Professor of Hydrogeology, Geology Department,

Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University

Prof. Dr. Tarek A. Aggour,

Professor of Hydrogeology, Geology Department,

Desert Research Center

Prof. Dr. Alan E. Kehew

Professor of Hydrogeology, Geosciences Department,

Western Michigan University

Assist. Prof. AbdelMohsen H. M. Hassanein

Assistant professor of Hydrogeology, Geology Department,

Desert Research Center

Dr. Samah. M. Morsy

Lecturer of Hydrogeology, Geology Department,

Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University

Ain Shams University

Faculty of science

Geology Department

NOTE Name of Student: Hussien Mohammed Hussien

Degree requirements: Ph.D. in Geology (Hydrogeology)

Department: Geology

Faculty: Science

University: Ain Shams

Graduate Year: 2004

M.Sc. Awarded: 2011

Head of Department: Prof. Dr. Abdel-Mohsen M. Morsy

Ain Shams University

Faculty of science

Geology Department

This work is dedicated to

The soul of My Father,

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First, thanks to God for the continuous and persistent patience and

effort to complete this thesis.

A special thanks to Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Ain

shams University for continuous support and encouragement.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Prof. Dr. Ezzat Ali Korany

(Prof. of Hydrogeology, Ain Shams University), for the supervision of the

present work, reviewing the manuscript and continuous help.

I am greatly indebted to Prof. Dr. Tarek Ali Aggour (Prof. of

Hydrogeology, Desert Research Center) who suggested, planned, supervised

and guided all steps of this research project. The completion of this work was

the result of his continuous support and fruitful discussion.

My deepest thanks for Prof. Dr. Alan Kehew (Geosciences

department, Western Michigan University for his supervision and providing

facilitates in Western Michigan University laboratories during my study in the

external scholarship in USA.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude and thanks to Dr. Abdel Mohsen

Hassaneian Mohammed (Asst. Prof., Desert Research Center) for his

supervision, discussion, helping in all steps of the thesis and reviewing of the

manuscripts.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Dr. Samah Mohamoud Morsi

(Geology Department, Ain Shams University) for her continuous help and

encouragement during the progress of this work and also her efforts in

reviewing the manuscript.

Special thanks to Mr. Karem Fatthi (NRIG), and Mr. Mahmoud El

Ammawy (DRC) for their help in the field and office works.

A special thanks and gratitude to My Mother, My Wife and all my

family members for their kind help and encouragement during the progress of

this work.

ABSTRACT

Wadi Qena basin represents a promising area in the Eastern

Desert of Egypt for land reclamation and settlement of new

communities. It is located between latitudes 26° 15´ 00" & 28° 15´ 00"

North and between longitudes 32° 15´00" & 33° 30´33" East. The

average annual precipitation over Wadi Qena basin ranges from 13.43

mm/y on the northeastern part of the study area to 2.78 mm/y on the

western parts.

The present work focuses on the factors controlling the water

resources development in Wadi Qena basin. It is conducted through

detailed geomorphologic, geologic and hydrogeologic studies for the

study area. Geomorphologically, Wadi Qena basin is divided into two

main geomorphic units; the highlands and lowlands. The highlands

include the Red Sea mountainous terrain, the high plateaus (El Maaza

limestone and El Ababda sandstone), the low plateau and hilly area. The

lowlands embrace the morphotectonic depressions, piedmont plain and

drainage networks. The assessment of the flood strength and hazard

degrees of Wadi Qena sub-basins indicates that Wadi Fattera sub-basin

has the highest hazard degree while, Shahdeen, Jurdi and Um Solimate

sub-basins have the lowest. Stratigraphically, the rock exposures along

Wadi Qena basin belong to a range in age from Precambrian to

Quaternary. Petrographically, Twenty-five thin sections from the

exposed succession along Qena-Safaga road represents the Nubia

sandstone (Abu Aggag Formation) are investigated for their

petrographical constituents and the diagenetic processes. Four main

microfacies association are recognized including; quartz arenite, sub-

litharenite, quartz wacke and pebbly quartz wacke. Compaction and

cementation are the main diagenetic processes. The studied sandstone

thin sections have well developed intergranular porosity in most samples

ranging between 10-21%. Based on Landsat images, aeromagnetic data,

geologic maps and field investigations, the area of study is structurally

controlled by two main shear zones; Qena-Safaga shear zone (QS) and

Najd shear zone. Their trends are northeast-southwest (NE-SW) and

northwest- southeast (NW-SE), respectively. Spatial analysis of these

structures refers that the surface shear zones and faults are an echo of

the deep seated faults dissecting the massif belt of the Precambrian

crystalline rocks and the overlying Phanerozoic strata. This situation

favor the strong influences of uplift related sub-vertical faults on the

groundwater flow and aquifer connectivity in Wadi Qena basin.

Hydrogeologically, four water-bearing formations are recognized in the

study area. They comprise the Quaternary aquifer, the Post Nubia

aquifer, Nubia sandstone aquifer, and fractured basement aquifer. The

Nubia sandstone and Quaternary aquifers are the most promising water-

bearing formations in Wadi Qena basin. The exploitable thickness of the

Nubia aquifer is 200m.The water salinity of this aquifer ranges between 1300

mg/l to 2251mg/l.

The environmental stable isotopes (Oxygen, Deuterium) reveal

four isotopic groups. These comprise; group (I) highly depleted Nubia

water, group (II) modern water in fractured basement, group (III) a

mixed group between Nubia water and recent water and group (IV) a

mixed evaporative group between Nubia and modern waters with a

considerable deviation from the global meteoric water line.

For sustainable development of the water resources, based on the

present investigations, several recommendations are suggested. Among

them are; the construction of a strong controlling system (dames,

barriers and tunnels) to mitigate the flash floods and harvest their water

in order to use in the development activities and projects. Good

management of The Quaternary aquifer in Wadi Qena basin by using

modern techniques of irrigation to avoid the deterioration of the soil and

water. The Nubia sandstone aquifer has a good water quality. More

geophysical exploration and hydrological investigation are needed

especially in the downstream portion of Wadi Fattera sub-basin, where

it receives a considerable recharge of meteoric and fresh water from the

underlying Nubia sandstone aquifer.

I

Page CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT IV LIST OF FIGURES……………………………………………... IX LIST OF TABLES………………………………………………

INTRODUCTION

1 Location……………………………………………………..........

3 Review of Previous Work ………………………….…................

7 The Scope of the Present Study……………………………..........

CHAPTER (I) GEOMORPHOLOGIC FEATURES,

LANDFORMS AND HYDROLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

11 1.1 The High Lands (Watershed areas)……………….…………..

11 The Red Sea mountainous terrains…………………………

14 The high plateaus………………………………………….. 16 The low plateau…………………………………………….

16 The hilly area..……………………………………………..

17 1.2 The Low Lands (Water collectors) …………………………...

17 Morphotectonic depressions………………………………

19 Piedmont plain…………………………………………….

19 The drainage network……………………………………..

20 1.3 The Morphometric Analysis………..…….………………......

37 1.4 Hydrogeological Significance…………...……………….......

38 1.5 Priorities of Flood Control ………………...……..…………..

40 1.6 Potential Recharge Sites………………………………………

44 1.7 Recharge Mechanism Using Dams…………………………...

CHAPTER (II) GEOLOGIC SETTING

45 2.1. Lithostratigraphic Succession……………………………….

48 Precambrian basement complex…………………………...

48 Wadi Qena Formation (? Albian-Cenomanian)……………

49 Galala Formation (Late Cenomanian to Early Turonian)….

50 Umm Omeiyid Formation (Late Turonian)………………..

50 Abu Aggag Formation (Turonian-Early Coniacian)……….

II

51 Hawashiya Formation (Coniacian-Santonian)……………….

54 Rakhiyat Formation (Late Middle Campanian)……………...

54 Quseir Variegated shale (Campanian)……………………….

55 Duwi Formation (Campanian-Maastrichtian)………….........

55 Sudr Formation (Maastrichtian)……………………………..

56 Dakhla Formation (Maastrichtian –Early Paleocene)……….

57 Tarawan Formation (Late Paleocene)…………

57 Esna Formation (Paleocene-Early Eocene)…………………..

57 Thebes Formation (Early Eocene)…………………………...

58 Pliocene deposits…………………………………………….

58 The Quaternary deposits……………………………………...

59 2.2 The Petrographic Description………………………………...

59 Petrographic description of Abu Aggag sandstone rock unit…

65 Diagenesis of Abu Aggag sandstone…………………….......

66 Porosity features in the investigated sandstones………..........

67 2.3 Surface and Subsurface Geologic Structures of Wadi Qena

Basin………………………………………………………….

69 1. Delineating the surface structural features based on ratio

image……………………………………………………..

71 2. Delineating deep seated faults using aeromagnetic total

intensity data……………………………………………...

73 2.4 Discussion and Results………………………………………..

CHAPTER (III) HYDROGEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

78 3.1 Alluvium aquifer (Quaternary)…………………………….....

83 3.2 Carbonates and Sandstone of Post Nubia Aquifer (Eocene-

Pliocene)……………………………………………………..

88 3.3 Nubia Sandstone Aquifer (Turonian-Santonian)…...…………

94 3.4 Fractured Basement Complex Aquifer (Precambrian)……….

95 1. Wadi Abu Sheih…………………………………………….

98 2. Wadi El Markh (El-Misikate Area)…………………………

98 3. Wadi El Gidami…………………………………………….

100 4. Wadi Fattera………………………………………………..

100 5. Wadi Umm Douqal…………………………………………

III

CHAPTER (IV) HYDROGEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS

OF GROUNDWATER

104 4.1 Hydrogeochemical Aspects of Groundwater…………………

105 1. Groundwater salinity (TDS)………….………………........

112 2. Major ions concentration.………………………………......

115 3. Hypothetical salts combinations…………………………...

119 4. Hydrochemical coefficients (Ion ratios)…………………...

124 5. Geochemical classification of the groundwater…………...

127 6. Evaluation of groundwater quality………………………...

131 7. Stable isotopes……………………………………………

140 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS………….………………..

146 RECOMMENDATIONS…………………...….…………….…

149 REFERENCES………………………………...…………….….

ARABIC SUMMARY……………………………...….…….….