Geophysical and hydrogeological applications for groundwater evaluation, east El-Minia area, upper Egypt

Water resources, depending on quality, potential, and location, are vital for sustainable development in many countries of the world, including Egypt. The Eastern El-Minia area, where limestone (cavernous and fractured) constitutes an important aquifer, also included in the development plans of the Egyptian government. Therefore, the region was chosen to be the subject of extensive study. This study aims to assess the reservoir and determine its thickness, water quality and recharging sources. Geoelectrical investigations in combination with groundwater chemistry and stable isotope measurements were applied to achieve the study objectives. The aquifer in the study area is mainly hosted within the irregular distribution of cavernous limestone of the Samalout and El-Minia formations, which are characterized by great thickness with an average value of about 100 m and average resistivity value of about 60 Ωm reflecting good water quality between fresh to brackish conditions. River Nile water contributes 16–80% of aquifer recharge, and the remaining recharge comes from precipitation. Thus, the cavernous carbonate aquifer in the East El-Minia region is classified as a highly potential aquifer that is ideal for many uses and development projects. •Geoelectric and Hydro-geochemistry have been applied to assess groundwater occurrence in karst aquifer and their quality.•Resistivity models show a promising aquifer under free to semi confined conditions.•Geochemical modeling indicates rock-water interaction and evaporation are main processes controlling the chemical evolution of the aquifer.•The stable isotope reveals that the River Nile contributes to the karst aquifer recharge.