Assessment of Microbiological Risks and Ecological impact Stressors on Shallow Groundwater Resources Using Environmental Isotopes and Multi-Source Remote Sensing

The ecological dynamic stressors on groundwater systems refer to factors that can change over time and impact the health and sustainability of groundwater resources. These stressors can be natural or anthropogenic. This study primarily focuses on utilizing remote sensing data and environmental isotopic techniques to identify and trace these stressors within shallow groundwater systems. In this work, remote sensing data helped in detecting and monitoring the changes in surface water bodies, vegetation cover, and land usage that can impact groundwater systems. In addition to the water quality indicators (hydrochemical and microbiological) helped in understanding the current status of the groundwater system. In addition to isotope hydrology technique that helped in understanding how ecological stressors affect groundwater availability and quality, and further investigating their responses to possible climatic changes effect.Although, the presence of some microbiological species hinders the using of this water in drinking purposes, it can be used in agriculture proposes. Groundwater samples revealed a contribution from the recent Nile ranging between 46.23% and 76.92%, emphasizing the aquifer's reliance on the Nile River recharge system. This dependency indicates potential vulnerability to climatic changes, which could reduce the recharge rates and pose significant risks to the aquifer. Moreover, the delta faces threats not only from seawater intrusion or flooding but also from the diminishing active recharge from the Nile system. Additionally, land use and land cover (LU/LC) analysis between 2014 and 2024 shows a decrease in agricultural areas from 81–75%, coinciding with an increase in urban areas by the same percentages. This urban expansion has resulted in the loss of productive agricultural lands and introduced additional stress on groundwater systems, particularly in terms of quality. Increased urbanization amplifies the risks posed by anthropogenic activities to shallow aquifers.