Natural radioactivity and groundwater quality assessment

What is it about?

Evaluate hydrogeochemical facies and assess groundwater quality for different uses.

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Why is it important?

The chemical composition of the Bahariya Oasis groundwater is strongly affected by its interaction with the lithologies of the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer. Dissolution of some aquifer rock components (carbonates and iron oxides) and chloride salts during infiltration of the groundwater, and addition of cations by ionic exchange of Na+ by Ca2+ in clay minerals, are the two main processes controlling the geochemistry of the studied groundwater. There are no health hazards associated with natural radioactivity in this groundwater, however, the Bahariya Oasis communities experience other water quality problems. The Bahariya groundwater is contaminated by toxic metals with elevated levels higher than permissible for either irrigation or drinking purposes.