Vertical and Horizontal Simulation of Seawater Intrusion in the Nile Delta Aquifer

Abstract

The Nile Delta aquifer is among the largest groundwater reservoirs in the world. Along its northern boundary, the aquifer is in direct hydraulic contact with the Mediterranean sea. Due to the excessive pumping over the last few decades, the groundwater quality in the northern parts of the Delta has been deteriorated considerably. This paper presents various simulation scenarios for the seawater intrusion problem in the Nile Delta aquifer. Two models, 2D-FED and SUTRA, are used to simulate the problem in the vertical and horizontal sections, respectively. The 2D-FED model is employed to simulate the current conditions and predict the effect of the water level rise in the Mediterranean sea under the condition of global warming. A 50 cm rise in the seawater level is expected to cause about 4.5 km inland migration of equiconcentration line 1. SUTRA is used to define the best location for additional groundwater pumping from the Nile Delta aquifer. It is concluded that any additional pumping should be practiced in the middle Delta and pumping from the eastern and western parts should be reduced. 1