Review article

Assessment of Groundwater vulnerability to pollution in the southern part of Nile Delta, Egypt

^*1Fattah MK and ²Ragab EG

¹Environmental studies and research institute (ESRI), University of Sadat City, Egypt

²Holding Company for Water and Waste Water – Menoufiya Company, for Water and Waste Water,  Egypt

*Corresponding Author E-mail: kamelhydro90@yahoo.com

Accepted 24 November 2014

Abstract

Groundwater pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems in the world. Human activities, e.g. industrial, agricultural and household represent a real threat for groundwater quality. The study has been initiated to assess the present state of the groundwater pollution problem in the study area; its vulnerability assessment to delineate areas that are more susceptible to contamination has become an important element for water resource management and land use planning. The results of this study can be used to determine where communities should undertake aggressive protection of the groundwater. These values were reclassified into three classes: low, moderate and high vulnerable zones. The high vulnerability zones of the study area are located in the western part of the study area beside the Rosetta Nile branch, High vulnerable rate in such areas is due to the low thickness of clay cap layer of Holocene aquitard, coarse texture of the soil zone and high downward flows which permit infiltration of more pollutants from the upper Holocene to the underlying Pleistocene aquifer, the risk of vulnerability of groundwater pollution in that area is high. Regional development planners will benefit from knowledge of local sensitive aquifers. The moderate vulnerable zones are located in the middle part of the study area, The low vulnerable zones are well distributed and are mainly located in the middle and east parts of the study area Some low vulnerable zones can also be seen in the north western part.

Keywords: Groundwater vulnerability, groundwater, pollution, Egypt