2D nonlinear inversion of DC resistivity measurements, a case study; southeastern part of Ras El Dabaa, Northwestern coast, Egypt

Abstract The southern Mediterranean coast suffers from limited water resources as a result of exploitation of water supply, population growth, and climate change. Spatial lineaments and Seawater Intrusion (SWI) were detected at the southeast portion of Ras El Dabaa, on Egypt’s northwest coast, using the direct current resistivity (DCR) method. The Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) data were acquired using Schlumberger array along four profiles and inverted both independently and jointly, aiming to obtain Two Dimensional (2D) geoelectrical images. The results of the one Dimensional (1D) inversion of VES data at each profile were stitched to form pseudo-2D sections on which the resistivity values and aquifer thickness in the southwest of the region appeared to be generally increasing, indicating a potential improvement in water quality.However, the results did not fully image the lateral variation but focused on the horizontal boundaries of the subsurface. On the contrary, the results of 2D inversion of the same data sets successfully managed to provide images that depicted resistivity distribution in both lateral and vertical directions. The detected sets of lineaments and fractured zones within the oolitic limestone and fossiliferous limestone units control the occurrence of groundwater in the region. The 2D inversion scheme revealed a low resistivity zone that indicated the presence of SWI and/or the dissolution of marine salts from the marine limestone bedrock of these aquifers in the northern portions of the studied area. Additionally, analysis of the 2D apparent porosity section shows how aquifers are connected by secondary porosity, which is defined by structures that resemble channels. The current approach offers valuable structural information for future planning and development of such complex geological coastal locations, taking into consideration the vulnerability of the groundwater system.