Groundwater Availability in Madani Locality, Gezira State, Sudan: A Hydrogeological Assessment of Aquifer Properties

Abstract

In this study, the hydrogeological parameters of the Greater Madani Locality in Sudan, as well as the availability of groundwater, are evaluated. An investigation was carried out into 37 operating wells that were chosen following a set of predetermined criteria and confirmed to be operational. The study area lies above Quaternary alluvial deposits of the island formation and is characterized by complex hydrogeological conditions ranging from semi-confined to unconfined aquifers. To assess the aquifer's capacity to transport and store groundwater, specific criteria and methods were employed, including the Cooper-Jacob straight-line method, the Theis recovery method, and the Theis-Hantush solution for leaky aquifers. The analysis revealed significant variation in hydraulic parameters across the study area. The transmissivity ranged from 82.09 to 843.32 m²/day, with an average of 295.02 m²/day. Based on the Transmissivity, the aquifer exhibited a moderate to high capacity for groundwater transport, particularly in the northern and central regions of the study area. Hydraulic conductivity ranged from 1.78 to 21.08 m/day (mean: 7.20 m/day), reflecting variations in rock formations, sediment sorting, and clay layer distribution. Additionally, calculated storage coefficients ranged from 0.007 to 0.8460 (mean: 0.1034), confirming variations in confinement conditions and high storage capacity. Specific well capacity ranged from 67.29 to 691.53 m³/day/m. The spatial maps from the Surfer program showed that groundwater availability and well productivity are significantly higher in the northern regions compared to the southern regions. These hydraulic parameters provided a crucial basis for the sustainable management of groundwater resources and the optimal development of well fields, in line with the increasing demand for groundwater for various uses in central Sudan.