Evaluation of Groundwater Sensitivity to Pollution Using GIS-Based Modified DRASTIC-LU Model for Sustainable Development in the Nile Delta Region

Nesma A. Arafa (), Zenhom El-Said Salem, Mahmoud A. Ghorab, Shokry A. Soliman, Abdelaziz L. Abdeldayem, Yasser M. Moustafa and Hosni H. Ghazala
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Nesma A. Arafa: Exploration Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI), 1 Ahmed El-Zomer St., Nasr City, Cairo 11727, Egypt
Zenhom El-Said Salem: Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
Mahmoud A. Ghorab: Exploration Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI), 1 Ahmed El-Zomer St., Nasr City, Cairo 11727, Egypt
Shokry A. Soliman: Exploration Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI), 1 Ahmed El-Zomer St., Nasr City, Cairo 11727, Egypt
Abdelaziz L. Abdeldayem: Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
Yasser M. Moustafa: Analysis and Evaluation Department, Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (EPRI), 1 Ahmed El-Zomer St., Nasr City, Cairo 11727, Egypt
Hosni H. Ghazala: Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 22, 1-18

Abstract: The groundwater resources in the Nile Delta region are an important resource for freshwater because of rising water demand due to anthropogenic activities. The goal of this study is to quantify groundwater sensitivity to pollution in the Nile Delta by a modified GIS-based DRASTIC-LU model. In this study, we utilized two types of modified DRASTIC-LU models, generic and pesticide, to determine the groundwater vulnerability rates to contamination. The results of the generic DRASTIC-LU model showed that the research region, except for the northwestern part with moderate vulnerability of 3.38%, is highly and very highly vulnerable to pollution with 42.69 and 53.91%, respectively. Results from the pesticide DRASTIC-LU model, on the other hand, also confirmed that, except for the northwestern and southern parts with a moderate vulnerability of 9.78%, most the Nile Delta is highly and very highly vulnerable with 50.68 and 39.53%, respectively. A validation of the model generated was conducted based on nitrate concentrations in the groundwater and a sensitivity analysis. Based on the nitrate analysis, the final output map showed a strong association with the pesticide vulnerability model. Examining the model sensitivity revealed that the influence of depth to water and net recharge were the most important factors to consider.

Keywords: GIS; Nile Delta region; modified DRASTIC-LU; groundwater vulnerability; geospatial technique (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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