Integration of the geomorphologic and geologic studies for water potentialities development in El Zarraqa and El Harraqa basins, East Matrouh, northwestern coast, Egypt

The northwestern coast of Egypt represents one of the highest-priority regions for future development. Two contiguous basins were chosen from the northwestern coast for this research: El Zarraqa and El Harraqa basins. The main objective of the present study is to provide geomorphologic and geological data in order to work on the water potentiality development in the study area. The obtained data through the present study reveal that, although the two studied basins are close to each other, they are not compatible with all features. The morphometric parameters reveal that the studied basins have opportunities for surface runoff occurrence and also for groundwater recharge through infiltration process. The geology of the study area is dominated by sedimentary rocks of Tertiary and Quaternary ages. The study area has favorable conditions for groundwater accumulation, where this area receives an average annual precipitation of 151.95 mm, which provides the opportunity for groundwater recharge. The hydrogeological investigations reflect that two groundwater aquifers (Middle Miocene and Pleistocene) are recorded in the El Harraqa basin, and only the Middle Miocene aquifer is recorded in the El Zarraqa basin. The Middle Miocene aquifer needs more hydrogeophysical investigations to explore its potentialities where its rocks have a wide distribution and are mainly fractured. The difference in groundwater salinity in both aquifers accompanied by different hydrogeologic data confirms that the carbonate aquifer in the studied basins is heterogeneous and has anisotropic characters. The current research set up a proposed plan which includes multiactivities for the protection and development of the water resources.