|
Journal of Environmental Hydrology
ISSN 1058-3912 |
||
|
Electronic Journal of the International Association for
Environmental Hydrology
JEH Volume 14 (2006), Paper 8 Posted July 18, 2006 HYDROCHEMICAL APPRAISAL OF GROUNDWATER IN THE KHARTOUM REGION, SUDAN
Hussein Salim Awad ABSTRACT The groundwater chemistry of Khartoum State between longitudes 32º15’- 33º00’E and latitudes 15º10’- 16º00’N was evaluated and assessed using different hydrogeological methods. Groundwater in the region occurs in two hydraulically interconnected aquifers: the siliciclastic sediments of the Cretaceous Omdurman Formation and the mostly unconsolidated sediments of the Cretaceous-Tertiary-Quaternary Umm Ruwaba Formation. The analysis of the flow system indicated a regional flow direction towards the northwest, with a local flow regime towards the east. Assessment of groundwater chemistry showed negative correlation between the exchangeable ions, Na-Ca. This means an ion exchange process is active. The strong correlations between Na+ and Cl- ions, TDS and EC indicate that salinization is related to the increase of concentration of these ions. Dissolution of evaporites is suggested by positive correlations between Ca, Mg and SO4. Groundwaters were classified into three hydrochemical facies, Ca-Mg-HCO3, Ca-SO4-HCO3 and Na-Ca-SO4-Cl. The spatial distribution of these facies and hydrochemical sections indicates that the anionic facies changes in the flow direction from HCO3- to SO4 and finally to Cl. The cationic facies is mostly affected by the ion-exchange process of calcium and magnesium by sodium. Mixing is an active process that has affected the water facies in the region. Reference: Awad, H.S., and M.T. Hussein. 2006. Hydrochemical appraisal of groundwater in the Khartoum Region, Sudan, Journal of Environmental Hydrology, Vol. 14, Paper 8. CONTACT: Hussein Salim Awad Department of Geology, College of Science King Saud University P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451 Saudi Arabia E-mail: Email: hsawad@ksu.edu.sa |
||
|
Return to JEH 2006 Papers
Return to HydroWeb Homepage |
||