Characteristics and Chemical Compositon of Ground Water in Bara Basin

Sudan has vast flat expanses which are sometimes broken by low hills and mountain chains. The country had been suffering from drought for many years. Just a few kilometers from the Nile ground water aquifers provide the only stocks of water for almost 75% of the population and live stocks.Sudan geological units of structure include the crystalline basement rocks, Nawa formation, Nubian sandstone, Basaltic outcrops, coastal deposits, Umm Rwaba formations, and surface deposits. Bara basin is one of the most promising potential sources of drinking water in northern Kordofan state. The basin is characterized by good quality water in the center but it surrounded from four directions by high salinity zones.Ground water samples and soil samples were analyzed using different techniques. The results showed water suitability for drinking in most areas. Ground water quality within the basin was characterized to be of good quality, fair quality and poor quality, fresh water, brackish water and salty water. Depending on the major anions content groundwater was classified into chloride water, sulfate water or bicarbonate water. Most of analyzed water samples showed high nitrate concentrations.