International Symposium on
Drylands Ecology and Human Security

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Geo-environmental Evaluation of Land and Water Resources
in Farafra Oasis, Western Desert of Egypt

El Anbaawy, M.I., Nassar, T.*

Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
*e-mail: nassar@ndara.com
 

Abstract

Farafra Oasis is the most promising location for future groundwater development in the Western Desert of Egypt. It needs more planning and management of water resources to avoid environmental problems; and to reduce the hazards already created during their development from 1985 until present day.
This work deals with the assessment of water quality and suitability of groundwater for different purposes, as well as the negative impacts of mismanagement of water resources.
The groundwater quality found suitable for all uses according to the national and international standards; the study of EC, SAR, and RSC indicated that all water samples are of low hazard (without any soil breakdown expected after using this water).
Several hydro-environmental problems occurred as a result of the uncontrolled groundwater usage, such as rising of drainage water level and the accumulation of plant solid wastes.
Based on the feasibility study and the data derived from the geological and soil characteristics, water sources availability and geo-environmental situation with the aid of LANDSAT images the Farafra Depression can be subdivided into eight land use units. Each unit is dominated for distinctive uses and socioeconomic activities. Many recommendations have been proposed for agricultural and tourist future development in the Farafra Oasis depending on its general groundwater and geo-environmental conditions.