Environmental stable isotopes indicate possible sources of groundwater recharge in eastern nile delta

Oxygen-18 and deuterium content in groundwater and surface water samples are used in studying the source of recharge. The results show that all the areas surrounded by the Nile and Ismailia Canal are recharged directly from the surface water. In some localities, the recharge occurs indirectly (after evaporation). There is mixing between different sources of water, recent water (surface water), old water (paleo-water), flood water (rain) and sea water (connate) in some wells. Interpretation of the isotopic composition data indicates that the Nile Branch (Damietta) and Ismailia canal (surface water ) are the main sources of recharge to the groundwater.11 fig., 1 tab