Nubian Sandstone aquifer at Bahariya Oasis
Western Desert, Bahariya Oasis, Égypte
Groundwater
- Type
- Groundwater
Multilayer Nubian Sandstone aquifer (Palaeozoic to Cretaceous, 400 to 1400 m thick at Bahariya), flowing south-west to north-east and upward; water discharges through springs and artesian wells. Dissolved uranium with excess 234U (median activity ratio 1.68): leaching of aquifer rocks, the mixing line giving a leached end-member at 1.45 ± 0.33, equal to the ratio of young iron oxides in the sandstones and in the ore; source of the uranium and iron of the El Gedida ore (Dabous, 2002; data from Dabous and Osmond, 2001). Indicative coordinates (centre of the oasis); wells located on Fig. 1 only.
(234U/238U) isotope ratio, no unit Values of the same system
Standard : équilibre séculaire
| Value | Range | n | Mineral or matrix | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.87 ± 0.56 | 1.48 / 2.8 | 5 | groundwater from El Gidida mine wells (500 to 1117 m) Mean and standard deviation recalculated from 5 analyses (sites Gidida 4, Gidida 6, Gidida 5, Gidida 1, Gidida 7), 1.48 to 2.80, median 1.58; U 0.031 to 0.072 µg/L; excess 234U of 0.022 to 0.100 µg/L U-equivalent; water closest to the ore. | Dabous (2002), Uranium isotopic evidence for the origin of the Bahariya iron deposits, Eg… |
| 1.81 ± 0.54 | 1.14 / 3.01 | 15 | groundwater from other wells and springs of the oasis (0 to 1100 m) Mean and standard deviation recalculated from 15 analyses (sites Kazafi, Ain Gedid, Ain El Wadi 820 m, Ain El Wadi 200 m, El Matar, Qabala, Segam, Ain Waled, Tabl Amoon (well), Tabl Amoon (spring), El Raias (spring), El Raias (well), Ain Gifara (spring), Dahkema, El Agoze), 1.14 to 3.01, median 1.79; U 0.029 to 0.231 µg/L; the median of all 20 oasis waters, mine included, is 1.68. | Dabous (2002), Uranium isotopic evidence for the origin of the Bahariya iron deposits, Eg… |
Deposits of the same type
- Ayagh Bolaghi spring (Zarshuran mine) Iran
- Takht-e Soleiman and Ahmadabad hot springs Iran
- Cold springs of the Angouran area Iran
- Collet-de-Dèze tap water (Gardon alluvial aquifer) France
- Viviez tailings percolating waters France
- Spiekeroog beach, subterranean estuary (stations 0 to 5) Germany
- Spiekeroog freshwater lens, well 30 Germany
- Spiekeroog freshwater lens, well 27 Germany
Cite this page
IsoFind Atlas (2026). Nubian Sandstone aquifer at Bahariya Oasis, isotope signatures. https://www.isofind.tech/isotopes/en/sites/nappe-des-gres-de-nubie-a-l-oasis-de-bahariya/ (accessed 2026-10-16).
@misc{isofind2026nubiansandstoneaquiferatbahar,
title = {Nubian Sandstone aquifer at Bahariya Oasis, isotope signatures},
author = {{IsoFind Atlas}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://www.isofind.tech/isotopes/en/sites/nappe-des-gres-de-nubie-a-l-oasis-de-bahariya/},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16}
}Updated : 2026-10-16