Environmental assessment of groundwater in Qaret Um El-Saghir, north western desert, Egypt and its health effects

Qaret Um El-Saghir is a small oasis lies at the southwestern corner of El-Qattara depression. The area has been surveyed geologically and geomorphologically using landsat [TM] image and varified in the field. The surface geology is represented by Maghra Formation [Miocene] forming the bottom of the depression and partly the walls specially at the eastern side of the depression. Marmarica Formation [Miocene] from the walls of the depression as well as the northen plateau. Minqar El-Talh Formation [post Micene] and Quaternary deposits are represented by sabkhas, playas and sand dunes forming the cultivated lands