Delineating subsurface structures and assessment of groundwater aquifer using integrated geophysical interpretation at the central part of Sinai, Egypt

In the present study, three geophysical techniques (land gravity, electrical resistivity, and land magnetic) have been applied to identify and evaluate the groundwater occurrences in the studied area, which lies between latitudes 29° 18′ and 29° 52′ N and longitudes 33° 25′ 34° 32′ E. Twenty-six deep vertical electrical sounding (VES) stations were measured and interpreted to delineate the Nubian sandstone aquifer in the area. The depth of upper surface of the aquifer varies from 483 to 1079 m, and the resistivity values of the aquifer range from 109 to 522 Ohm-m which represents the fresh water aquifer in the study area. The results of gravity interpretation indicate that the area is dissected by different fault elements of different directions such as NE–SW trend parallel to the Gulf of Aqaba, NW–SE trend parallel to the Gulf of Suez, and E–W trend parallel to the Mediterranean Sea. The depth of basement rocks range from 2100 to 4300 m.