Study of Groundwater Quality in El-Kharga Oasis, Western Desert, Egypt
In El-Kharga Oasis, Egypt, the groundwater is considered the sole source for water and it is used for different purposes. The present paper tries to assess groundwater suitability for different uses in El-Kharga oasis. The goal is to evaluate the suitability of the selected groundwater wells for irrigation and drinking, define the water types and investigate possible long and short term impact on groundwater quality. Fifteen water samples were collected from different wells. Parameters such as electrical conductivity (EC), pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), temperature and other physical properties were recorded in the field. Major anions and cations were analysed in the laboratory. Chemical results suggest that the water type in the area varies predominantly from Na-HCO3, to Na-Cl (Piper diagram). According to the EC and SAR calculation (Wilcox diagram) the most dominant classes (C2-S1 and C3-S1) were found. Salinity hazard in 60% of water samples is regarded as medium while in 40% of water samples is classified as high. In respect of all evaluating criteria, groundwater of all the 15 wells can be safely used for irrigation and drinking purposes.
Adeyeye, E.I. and F.O. Abulude (2004). Analytical assessments of some surface and ground water resources in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. J. Chem. Soc. Nig., 29: 98–103.
Adeyeye, E.I. and O.O. Ayejuyo (2002). Assessment of the physicochemical status of a textile industry’s effluent and its environment. Pak. J. Sci. Ind. Res., 45: 10–16.
Al-Khashman, O. (2007). Study of water quality of springs in Petra region, Jordan: A three-year follow-up. Water Resources Management, 21(7): 1145–1163.
American Public Health Association (APHA) (1995). Standard methods for the examination of water and waste water, 19th ed. APHA Inc. New York.
Ayers, R.S. and W. Westcot (1985). Water quality for agriculture. Irrigation and drainage paper 29 (REV.1) FAO, Rome, Italy. www.fao.org/DOCREP/003/T0234E00.html
Diab, M. Sh. (1978). A regional hydrogeological study of artesian water aquifer in the Western Desert of Egypt: Symposium on the geology of Middle East, Anqara, Turkia.
Eaton, E.M. (1950). Significance of carbonate in irrigation water. Soil Sci., 69: 123–133.
Hem, J.D. (1989). Study and interpretation of the chemical characteristics of the national water, 3rd edition. US Geochemical Water Supply Paper 2254.
Kelley, W.P. (1940). Permissible composition and concentration of irrigation waters. Proc. ASCE, 66: 607.
Peavy, H.S., Rowe, D.R. and T. George (1986). Environmental Engineering. Washington, D.C.
Philip, E., Bashir, A. and I. Hussein (1985). Groundwater Development, Kharga Oases, Western Desert of Egypt: A Long-Term Environmental Concern. Environ. Geol. Water Sci., 7(3): 129–149.
Piper, A.M. (1953). A graphic procedure in the geochemical interpretation of water analysis. US Geol. Survey Groundwater 12.
Richard, L.A. (1954). Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils – agric handbook 60, US Departmet of Agriculture, Washington, D.C, 160 pp.
Singh, A.K., Mondal, G.C., Suresh Kumar, T.B., Singh, B.K. and A. Tewary (2008). Major ion chemistry, weathering processes and water quality assessment in upper catchment of Damodar River basin, India, Environ. Geol., 54: 745–758.
Todd, D.K. (1980). Groundwater Hydrology. John Willey & Sons, New York.
USSL (1954). Diagnosis and improvement of saline and alkali soils. USDA Agr. Handbook 60.
Vander, F.M. (2003). Classification of mineral water types and comparison with drinking water standards, Environmental Geology, 44: 554–563.
Virkutyte, J. and M. Sillanpaa (2006). Chemical evaluation of potable water in Eastern Qinghai Province, China: Human health aspects. Environmental International, 32(1): 80–86.
WHO (1990). Guidelines for drinking water quality, Vol. 2. Health criteria and other supporting information, Geneva.
Wilcox, L.V. (1955). Classification and use of irrigation water US Dept. Agric. CIRS 969, Washington, D.C, 19 pp.
Wilcox, L V. (1948). The quality water for irrigation use. US Dept. Agric. Bull., 962: 1–40.