Geochemical Assessment of Quaternary aquifer in El Fayoum Depression, Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

Groundwater in El Fayoum governorate has a particular importance where it is the source for fresh water used for drinking, agricultural, domestic, and industrial purposes. Thirty-eight groundwater wells were available during summer 2017 and were analysis for physiochemical characteristics. These data has been used to evaluate groundwater for drinking and irrigation purposes by comparing physiochemical parameters with world health organization (WHO) standards. Results show that 60.5% of Na+ concentrations in groundwater samples are above this limit. 86.84% of K+ concentrations in groundwater samples are above this limit. The desirable limit for Ca2+ for drinking water is specified as 75 mg/l (WHO 2011). About 84.2% of groundwater samples in study area exceed the permissible limit according to WHO standards. Most of the Mg2+ concentrations 84.2% are above the desirable limit of 50 mg/l. About 97.36% of total wells over the permissible limit of HCO3- which is120 mg/l. About 14 wells 36.84% are within the desirable limit of 250 mg/l. The desirable limit of Cl- for drinking water is specified as 250 mg/l according to WHO and 30 wells 78.94% are above this limit.Groundwater wells were classified according TDS as about 89.47 % of tested samples have contents ranging from >1000 mg/l.