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ABSTRACT
In Darb El Arbaein, the groundwater is the only water resources. The aquifer system starts from Paleozoic-Mesozoic to Upper
Cretaceous sandstone rocks. They overlay the basement rocks and the aquifer is confmed. In the present research, the performance of tbe statistical analyses to classify groundwater samples depending on their chemical characters has been tested. The
bydrogeological and hydrogeocbemical data of 92 groundwater samples was obtained from tbe GARPAD authority in nortbern,
central, and southem Darb El Arbaein. A robust classification scbeme for partitioning groundwater chemistry into homogeneous groups was an important tool forthe characterization of Nubian sandstone aquifer. We test the performance of tbe many
available graphical and statistical methodologies used to classify water samples. R-mode, Q-mode. correlation analysis, and
principal component analysis WCTQ investigated. All the methods were discussed and compared as to their ability to cluster,
ease of use, and ease of interpretation. Tbe correlation investigation clarifies the relationship among tbe Uthology,
bydrogeology, and anthropogenic. Factor investigation revealed three factors namely; the evaporation process-agricultural
impact-lithogenic dissolution, the hydrogeological characteristics of tbe aquifer system., and tbe surface meteoric water that recharge tbe aquifer system. Two main clusters tbat subdivided into four sub clusters were identified in groundwater system
based on bydrogeological and hydrogeochemical data. They reflect the impact of geomedia, hydrogeology, geographic position, and agricultural wastewater. The groundwater is undersaturated with respect to most selected minerals. The groundwater
was supersaturated with respect to iron minerals in northern and southem Darb El Arbaein. The partial pressure of COi of tbe
groundwater versus saturation index of calcitc shows the gradual change in PCO2 from atmospheric to the present aquifer pressures.
Keywords: Groundwater samples, groundwater cbemistry, Multivariate analysis, AquaChem. Egypt, Darb El-Arbaein.
RESUMEN
En Darb El Arbaein, el agua subterrnea es el nico recurso bidrco. El sistema acuifero confinado incluye rocas del
Paleozoico-Mesozoico hasta areniscas del cretcico superior sobre el basamento. En esta investigacin se prob el desempeo
del anlisis estadistico para clasificar las muestras de agua subterrnea en fiincin de sus caracteristicas qumicas. Datos
hidrogeolgicos e hidrogeoquimicos de 92 muestras de agua subterrnea fueron obtenidas en el norte, centro, y sur de Darb El
Arbaein. Se us un esquema de clasificacin robusto para separar quimicamente en grupos bomogneos las aguas
subterrneas del acuifero de la arenisca de Nubia. Se probaron los rendimientos de varias metodologias grficas y estadisticas
166
STATISTICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE GROUNDWATER SYSTEM IN DARB EL-ARBAEIN. SOUTHWESTERN DESERT. EGYPT
para clasificar las muestras de agua, entre ellas anlisis de correlacin, modo R, modo Q y componentes principales. Las
correlaciones aclaran las relaciones entre la litologia, la hidrogeologia y la influencia antropognica. La investigacin revel
tres factores a saber: evaporacin asociada a procesos agrcolas e impacto de disolucin litognica, las caracteristicas
hidrogeolgicas del acuifero, y la superficie meteorizada por donde se recarga el acuifero. Se identificaron dos grupos
principales subdivididos en cuatro subgrupos que reflejan el impacto de la geologia. hidrogeologia, posicin geogrfica, y las
aguas residuales agrcolas. El agua subterrnea es insaturada con respecto a la mayoria de los minerales seleccionados pero
sobresaturada con respecto a los minerales de hierro en el norte y el sur de Darb El Arbaein. La presin parcial del agua
subterrnea en relacin al ndice de saturacin de calcita muestra un cambio gradual en PCO2 de la presin atmosfrica a la
presente en el acuifero.
Palabras clave: Muestras de las agua subterrnea, qumica de las aguas subterrneas. Anlisis Multivariado. AquaChem,
Egipto. Darb El-Arbaein.
1.
Introduction
em Darb El Arbaein aquifer were treated statistically in order to clarify the impact of lithogenic and anthropogenic factors. The saturation indices and partial pressure of CO2 was
estimated by AquaChem to delineate the change in pressure
from the atmospheric to the current conditions. The statistical analyses and AquaChem (PHREEQC) were used to delineate the impact of lithogenic and anthropogenic sources on
aquifer system. AquaChem (PHREEQC version 2) is a computer program written in the C programming language that is
designed to perform a wide variety of low-temperature
aqueous geochemical calculations.
Rl-Dakhia
167
Formation
Max. thickness
average, m
Quseir
73-112
Turonian-Santonian
Taref
101 - 202
Upper Cretaceous
Paleozoic-Mesozoic Sandstone layer
Pre-Cambrian
7-45
Ash basement
Upper Cretaceous
Maestrichtian - Eariy
Paleocene
Dakhla
161 -285
Campanian-Maestrichtian
Kiseiba
73-112
Turonian-Santonian
Taref
75-116
7-64
Ash basement
Kiseiba
44 - 150
Turonian-Santonian
Taref
56-80
Upper Cretaceous
Pre-Cambrian
168
Ash basement
'
STATISTICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE GROUNDWATER SYSTEM IN DARB EL-ARBAEIN. SOUTHWESTERN DESERT. EGYPT
1.2.2
2706000
2706000^
^ ' * "
2705000
2705000-
2704000
2703000
2704000-
lL_-'-y-^
'
''
2703000-
2702000
2702000-
2701000
2701000-
2700000
2700000 -
2699000
2699000 -
2698000
i-:-:-:-:'_v.;'\/'''
2697000
2698000 '
- -~<.
2697000-
2. (a) Piezometric level, (b) hydraulic conductivity, and (c) transmissivity of the Nubian sandstone aquifer in northem Darb
EI-Arbacin.
169
500 m
MM
Quseir Fomiation
r^4y Taref Fomialion
_'.; i Paleozoic-Mesozoic sandstone
Basement
',^v Concealed fault
Potentiometric level
-180 - Figure 3. Hydrogeophysical cross sections in northem Darb El Arbaein. The directions were shown in Fig. 11.
ally to fine and tnedium upward. It directly overlies the basement rocks. The groundwater flow is in the northeastem part
(Fig. 6a). The cajip3g'Wk;kness increases to the northwestem part (Fig. 6b). The hydraulic conductivity (Fig. 6c) increases in the southem, northem, westem, and centraleastem part. The transmissivity (Fig. 6d) increases to the
southem and southwestem part. The well efficiency at
pumping rate 150 m^/h ranged from 84 to 86 %. The geophysical cross section (A-A') runs N-S direction (Fig. 7a).
The total aquifer thickness ranged from 70 to 138 m and increases due the southem direction of southem Darb El
Arbaein. The graben and horst were interpreted in the area
(Fig. 7). The Taref and overlying Kiseiba Fms. are hydraulically interconnected through the faults (El Gammal 2004).
The geophysical cross section (B-B') runs W-SE direction
(Fig, 7b). The aquifer thickness increases due the central
part, attributed to structural elements. The aquifer is hydraulically interconnected with fault planes.
_^To Kharga
2658000
Z657000
2656000
Z655000
2654000
2653000
2652000
341000 842000 843000 844000 845000 846000 847000 848000
2652000
841000 842000 843000 844000 845000 846000 847000 848000
Figure 4. (a) The groundwater flow and (b) Dakhla shale thickness of the Nubian sandstone aquifer in central Darb El Arbaein.
170
STATISTICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE GROUNDWATER SYSTEM IN DARB EL-ARBAEIN. SOUTHWESTERN DESERT, EGYPT
200
180
160
m
120
100
80
60
40
20
_ 0
E, -20
5 40
Of
--> -60
I" -80
a-
-120
-140
160
160
-2O0
-220
-240
-260
-280
-300
-320
H. Scale
Kigure 5. Subsurface geologic cross section of central Darb El Arbaein. its direction was in Fig. 11
cies that is, groups of samples with similar chemical characteristics that can then be correlated with location. The spatial
variability observed in the composition ofthe natural tracers
can provide insight into aquifer heterogeneity and connectivity as well as the physical and chemical processes controlling water chemistry. Several commonly used graphical
methods and multivariate statistical techniques are available
including Pie, Stiff, Q-niode, R-mode hierarchical (HCA)
(Judd, 1980; Rummel, 1970; Berry, 1995; Gulere/a/., 2002)
and Principal component analysis (PCA). For understanding
the chemistry of water samples, the multivariate statistical
analyses were used (Drever, 1997) with assumptions of
Alther (1979). The Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA)
analyses (StatSoft, Inc. 1995) were used to classify the samples into distinct hydrochemical groups based on their similarity, using Z scores (Ward 1963). In order to make clear the
other factors affecting the concentration and distribution of
major ions and hydrogeological parameters here,
Multivariate statistics (Pearson Coefficient Analysis and
principle component analysis) were adopted. Principle
Component Analysis is one ofthe analytical tools used to assess element behavior in aquatic system (Shine et at. 1995;
171
2474000
2472000
To Kharga
\- <
'
'
2470000
2468000
ToTushka
*/ '
'
1
\
' ~
' r
'
2466000 H
\ '' S'"'-"- - -
y'
1
,
2464000
'
, '
_ *
1
1
/
f
770000 772000 774000 776000 778000 780000 782000 784000 786000 788000
2454000
To Sudan
7700M 772000 774000 776000 77BCO0 760000 762000 764000 786000 768000
1
\
^
O
770000 772000 774000 776000 778000 780000 762000 764000 766000 768000
To Sudan
'
1j
1
\
Gfoundwaler flow
Concealed taut
2474000
' - '
2456000
'
'
&
2458000
a- Piezometnc level, m
a-'
.' ' '
--
2460000
_^
2462000
. '
'
2454000 -
To Kharga
t
\
^
d- Transmissivity, m2/d
770000 772000 774000 776000 778000 760000 782000 784000 786000 788000
Figure 6. (a) Groundwater flow, (b) capping thickness, (c) hydraulic conductivity, and (d) transmissivity of the Nubian sandstone aquifer in
southern Darb El-Arbaein.
Ruiz 2001; Liu et al. 2003; Zhou et al. 2004), and it is applied to detect the hiddeti sttoicture of the data set, trying to
explain the itifluence of latent factors on the data distributioti
(Einax and Soldt 1999; Simeonov et al. 2000).
172
STATISTCAL INVESTIGATION OF THE GROUNDWATER SYSTEM IN DARB EL-ARBAEIN. SOUTHWESTERN DESERT, EGYPT
666m
15
_ b _
- -
Ksoba Formatlan
Taref Formaten
basement
Concealed fault
Figure 7. Geophysical cross sections in northem Darb El Arbaein. Its directions were shown in Fig. 11
correlated with well loss; showing that the well loss contributed little to drawdown. Drawdown is strongly correlated
with fonnation loss; such correlation confirms that
drawdown is mainly influenced by a change in hydraulic
conductivity of the formation (formation loss). Drawdown
in wells is composed mainly of two components, the formation loss and the well loss. Electrical conductivity is weakly
negatively correlated with K, reflect that the latter is partially derived from lithogenic, i.e. from dissolution of clay
and shale sediments.
Electrical conductivity is strongly correlated with TDS,
Ca, Na, SO4, and Cl, indicating two main processes that responsible for these ions concentrations, evaporation and agricultural wastewater. Electrical conductivity is weakly
correlated with Mg and HCO3, clarifying that the last two
are partially lithogenic and partially anthropogenic. Ca is
weakly correlated with K. reflect two sources for both may
anthropogenic for former and lithogenic for latter. Ca is
weakly correlated with Na, SO4, and Cl, these ions may derive partially from evaporation and partially from agricultural wastewater and dissolution. Cl is weakly correlated
with HCO3. attributed partially to evaporation and partially
to infiltration of wastewaters. Mg is weakly correlated witb
Na, SO4, and Cl indicating that different sources for these
ions may be lithogenic and anthropogenic. Na and K are
negatively correlated, due to different sources. Na is weakly
and strongly correlated with HCO3 and SO4 and Cl, respectively. It is attributed to partially infiltration of surface mete-
173
174
STATISTICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE GROUNDWATER SYSTEM TN DARB EL-ARBAEIN, SOUTHWESTERN DESERT. EGYPT
Factor 1
Factor 2
1.5
0.5
-0,5
0.5-
I
-a
g.
H
^
-H
s;
Ci
3
Si'
m rn
n
g-
in
-0.5-
Factor 3
0.5-
TTT
n n
m
O
-0.5-
175
I.e.
I.e.
I.C-
c
I.e.
I.e.
E
F
G
H
I.e.
Figure 9. Dendrogram investigation ofthe hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical characteristics of Nubian sandstone aquifer.
176
STATISTICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE GROUNDWATER SYSTEM IN DARB EL-ARBAErN. SOUTHWESTERN DESERT, EGYPT
o Ground elevation, m
1400
1200
Water depth, m
m Hydraulic head, m
1000
M Transmissivity, m2/d
D iHydraulic conductivity, m/d
0) QOO
D Drawdown, m
> 600
400
200
ruJ
0
E
F
Oroup no.
g 2000 a.
a.
S 1500
b
BEC
BTDS
nCa
D Mg
Na
EIK
HCO3
DSO4
Cl
o 1000
c
o
500
ail
IJ
lA
n Ground elevation, m
1200
1000 -
Water depth, m
Sub cluster 4
g Transmissivity, m2/d
D Hydraulic conductivity, m/d
600 H
0 Drawdown, m
400
200
I.C.45
I. C.68
I.C.53
I C.54
Sub cluxler 1
I. C.66
I
I.C,19
1 C.29
1 C.33
L C.34
I C 30
Independent case
g^i, ciuslHr 2
3000
L C.86
I C.87
I Sub cluster 3
LC.84
|
DEC
DCa
D TMDgS
Na
HCO3
Cl
n SO4
Sub cluster 4
Tbj_diiL..
C.45
I. C,6e
I. C.53
I.C.54
Sub cluster 1
I. C.55
I. C.19
I
I. C-29
I. C.33
Independent case
I. c.34
I. C.30
Sub cluster 2
I. C,86
I. C.87
I. C.84
'
Sub cluster 3 I
Figure 10. Mean hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical values of the clusters A-J and independent cases of the Nuhian sandstone aquifer.
177
t
2700000
iti
2650000
Northetn area
;
'
Group A
Field i Field 2
Middle area '--,^
group B
Group C
2600000
Group D
Group E
2550000
Group F
Group G
0
2500000
Group H
50 km
350QO0
Group I
Middle area
^Southern area
800000
1.5 km
Group J
Independent case
O 2 km
To Sudan
Southern area
770000 772000 774000 776000 778000 T80000 782000 784000 786000 788000
Figure 11. Areal distribution of clusters identified by HCA of the nortbem, central, and soutbem Darb El Arbaein.
178
STATISTICAL INVESTIGATION OF THF GROUNDWATER SYSTEM IN DARB EL-ARBAEIN, SOUTHWESTERN DESERT. EGYPT
six samples 77, 78, 80, 81, 82, and 89 (northem Darb EI
Arbaein). It has the lowest hydraulic conductivity and
transmissivity and highest drawdowns (Fig. lOa). Group G
include three samples 2, 10 (Field 1 of central Darb ElArbaein) and 83 (northem Darb EI Arbaein). It is characterized by high transmissivity (Fig. lOa). Group H contains
five samples 4. 5, 6, 7. and 9 (Field I of central Darb ElArbaein). It is characterized by very low hydraulic head
(Fig. 10a). Group 1 was represented by four samples 73, 74
(southem part of southem Darb El- Arbaein) 76, and 79
(northem Darb El- Arbaein). It is characterized by the highest K content (Fig. 10b), may attributed to aquitard diffusion. Group J include eleven samples 3, 8, 11, 13, 14, 16
(Field I of central Darb El- Arbaein), 75, 85, 88, 90, and 92
(northem Darb El Arbaein). Group J is characterized by the
highest water depth and very low TDS concentration (Fig.
10a and b). The independent case 84 was characterized by
lowest Cl concentration and very high transmissivity (Fig.
lOcandd). The Pie. radial, and Stiff methods produce a single diagram for each sample. It is not practical to produce
and nominally sort all samples figures, so the choice of similarity would be based on evaluation of the analyst, which is
MMbmBwfcRIMMli
IC
11
i:
I<IIIII(,((IIf*It
IS 13 ;B :i I ro ;* 25 s 27 s 29 30 31 n 33 3i s :: s ) M ; 1: ii
imfh
niMhii
-*-SiM
Figure 12. Saturation indices of the minerals identified by PHREEQC of the Nubian sandstone aquifer.
179
als in northern and southem Darh E! Arbaein (Fig. 12); reflect the presence of iron concentration in the sandstone
aquifer. The partial pressure of the groundwater versus saturation index of calcite is depicted in (Fig. 13) to show the
gradual change in PCO2 from atmospheric to the present
aquifer pressures.
5. Conclusions
6. Acknowledgement
The authors are greatly thanks the GARPAD organization for
data supply.
recommendations
The geology, the hydrogeology, the dissolution, and the recharge influence the aquifer quality. The graphical and statistical techniques reflected valuable and rapidly accessible
information about the chemical composition of groundwater
samples. The correlation investigation indicated the agricultural impact on groundwater systems. The factor analysis
distinguished into three factors that explain the
hydrogeochemical processes in aquifer systems. The
Dendrogram investigation revealed two main clusters,
which subdivided into four sub clusters, depending on the
water chemistry and hydrogeological conditions. The
groimdwater was under-saturated with respect to carbonate
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Back, W. 1966. Techniques for mapping of hydro chemical
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0.0D11
0.000t
11
-OS
-25
-06
-01
0!
0.4
OOO1
Suvrition hidix ot c
Figure 13. Total CO2 vs saturation index of calcite of the Nubian sandstone aquifer.
180
-15
-0.5
STATISTICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE GROUNDWATER SYSTEM IN DARB EL-ARBAEIN. SOUTHWESTERN DESERT. EGYPT
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