Groundwater Quality Assessment Using Multi-Criteria GIS Modeling in Drylands: A Case Study at El-Farafra Oasis, Egyptian Western Desert

The most critical issue that was the main research interest is its groundwater quality which vital for public health concerns. Groundwater a significant worldwide water supply diverse communities, especially in dryland regions. assessment desert systems largely hindered by lack of hydrological data and remote location Oases. This study provides preliminary understanding influences climate, land usage, population growth on El-Farafra Oasis Western Desert Egypt from 2000 to now. Therefore, study’s objective determine extent change temporal factors causing it. present integrates chemical analyses geospatial modeling better assess area. A analysis thirty-one samples wells representing each area carried out during three time periods (2000, 2010, 2022). Several properties gathered were analyzed. Furthermore, trend identified using approaches: Wilcox Schoeller Diagram Aq.QA software, interpolation ArcGIS Ground Water Quality Index (GWQI). Moreover, influence changing usage studied, it found increase agriculture urbanization areas linked degradation. findings revealed barren 2000, 2022 371.7, 362.0, 343.2 km2, respectively, indicates substantial decrease 6.2% within this timeframe. In contrast, human-made structures have expanded 1.8%. Also, has led an consumption as grown at rate 7.52% annually 2020. As climatic condition increases 2022, these changes could extend shallow aquifers with increasing evaporation. Based spatial model, that, despite declining tendency precipitation expansion agricultural growth, still appropriate human farming large presented approach applicable regions Middle East