Author(s): Khalid Nail; Abdalla Elshsikh; Adill Elkrail; Elhadi Adam

Linked Author(s): KHALID NAYL

Keywords: Geophysical exploration; Electrical resistivity; Groundwater occurrences; River Atbar

Abstract:

Geophysical investigation has been carried out to explore the groundwater occurrence in the area between Wad Elhelew and Khashm El Girba towns, Kassala and Gedaref States, eastern Sudan. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) technique was applied using Schlumberger Array (configuration), with a maximum half separation (AB/2) = (900 -1000 m). The study area covered by (177) points of VES measurements distributed to cover the study area at the both sides of River Atbara and Setit. The VES points distributed to fill the gabs where there are no wells and to detect the boundary of the aquifers. Based on variations in apparent resistivity of various formations and sequences the study area was divided into three sectors; Upstream area, Middle area and Downstream area. Three geo-electrical sections constructed in the study area in E-W direction. From the data interpretation; the aquifer zones in the study area seems to be wider upstream and gets narrower downstream. The water bearing formations in the study area consist of; the River Atbara sediments extended from the midstream area to downstream area, Cretaceous sandstone which occurs in the upstream part of the study area and the saturated fractured basaltic rocks attached to the River Atbara banks. The recorded resistivity values are as follows; for the superficial deposits range from 2 to 300 Ω.m, for the River Atbara sediments range from 20 to 120 Ω.m, for the basalts range from 100 to 300 Ω.m, for the Cretaceous sandstone range from 20 to 80 Ω.m and for the basement complex ranges from 200 to 600 Ω.m. The investigations concluded that the River Atbara sediments and Cretaceous sandstone layers are considered the main water bearing formation in the study area.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/IAHR-39WC2521711920221302

Year: 2022