الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Sinai peninsula occupies the far northeastern corner of Egypt with an area of 61,000 sq. km, which is about 6% of the total area of the country. It is situated between the two major continents Africa and Asia, and is bounded on the north by the Mediterranean sea, on the south by the Red sea, on the west by the canal and gulf of Suez and on the east by the gulf of Aqaba and the frontier border between Egypt and Palestine. Within the framework of the governmental plan to develop the deserted areas, great efforts are being paid to convert portions of these desert areas to productive land, especially with a distinct increase in population, agricultural and industrial developments. In the last few decades, Sinai has received huge investments in the form of agricultural and industrial projects in addition to the mining and tourism activities. Water is the basic need for any life to exist in this world. Prehistoric man was leading a nomadic life on the banks of rivers. With natural calamities such as floods, earthquakes etc. he was disturbed and up rooted from his dwelling place. With the advent of civilization, the human life became more stable. Accordingly, the use of water has increased, first for the drinking needs, then for supplementing agriculture, irrigation, municipal requirements and later for industrial growth. Naturally, when surface water is in short supply, one has to depend partly or wholly on groundwater. Groundwater contributes by the greater part of water supplies in Sinai, especially with a distinct lack of surface water channels in this area. Wadi El-Bruk and its tributaries cover a vast area in north central Sinai, and it is one of the most important tributaries of wadi El-Arish. Wadi El-Bruk at its junction with wadi El-Arish forms a wide plain area with soft white chalky soil and light brown limestone with flint bands. The area under study comprises wadi-El-Bruk and its tributaries, as well as, its junction with wadi El-Arish. It covers a surface area of about 750 km2 between latitudes 30° 05` and 30° 15` N. and longitudes 33° 30`and 33° 53`E. Groundwater is one of the most valuable natural resource for water supplies in El-Bruk area. Rainfall is the main feeding source for groundwater aquifers in this area. However, this area is characterized by a complex geological setting, and the groundwater occurrences are greatly controlled by the structural system affecting the area. Thus, the major concern of this study is how to effectively delineate and evaluate the groundwater occurrences in such areas, and also understanding of the structural features controlling these occurrences. |