Integrated approach-based groundwater mapping in sohag governorate, upper Egypt, using remote sensing and aeromagnetic data

Introduction Groundwater demand has been considerably heightened due to rapid urban growth, specifically in arid areas that rely primarily on groundwater. This study aims to utilize remote sensing and aeromagnetic data, combined with the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based GIS, to evaluate potential groundwater zones in the Sohag area, Egypt. Methods Nine thematic layers, including soil moisture, rainfall, lithology, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), drainage density, lineament density, slope, and land use/land cover, were developed using various remote sensing datasets. Besides the remote sensing-derived thematic layers, a geophysics-derived thematic layer represented by the RTP aeromagnetic map was included. The aeromagnetic data were analyzed and interpreted to outline the subsurface structure affecting groundwater storage and flow. Also, the aeromagnetic data analysis helps estimate the basement depth that constitutes the Nubian Aquifer’s base and identifies regions with considerable thick sedimentary deposits and significant water reserves. Results and discussion The groundwater potentiality map was consistent with production wells in the area, and sites for drilling new wells were predicted, especially in the Nile Valley around the Tahta, El-Hamimia, and west Sohag cities. The most promising sites are clustered along the Nile Valley, and the study area’s northwestern and northeastern parts. The results indicate that the predominant magnetic structural trends are NW-SE, NE-SW, N-S, and E-W, which contribute to the formation of a series of subsurface horsts (H) and grabens (G). Three main basins (A, B, and C) were identified as the most profound areas. These basins represent the most promising areas for groundwater accumulation, making them attractive for future hydrogeological exploration. This integrated approach strongly offers a powerful and effective tool to assist in developing an appropriate plan to manage groundwater in arid regions.