This work refers to the characterization of the hydrochemistry of the southern part of the Eastern\nDesert in Egypt, on the basis of physico-chemical properties of groundwater occurring in the fractured\nPrecambrian rocks inland and in sedimentary formations on the coastline of the Red Sea.\nThirty-five groundwater samples have been collected from the study area for hydrochemical investigations\nto understand the sources of dissolved ions and assess the chemical quality of the\ngroundwater. Several methods were used to interpret the hydrochemical data, i.e. graphical methods,\nprincipal components analysis, ions exchanges indices and saturation indices of various\nminerals. The results show that the major ionic relationships are Na+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+ and Cl > 2\n4 SO >\nHCO3 and that groundwater chemical characteristics are controlled by natural geochemical\nprocesses but also, to a lesser extent, by anthropogenic activities. Natural minerals dissolution, ion\nexchanges and evaporation play a prominent role in the ion enrichment of groundwater. A comparison\nof groundwater quality in relation to WHO water quality standards proved that most of\nthe water samples are not totally suitable for drinking water purpose.
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