Contribution of ASTER-TIR indices with geophysical and geospatial data for groundwater prospecting in El-Qaa plain area, Southern Sinai, Egypt

El-Qaa plain in the South Sinai is one of Egypt’s promising regions for sustainable development. The groundwater forms the primary sources of development in this region. The present study aims to identify the groundwater resources in El-Qaa plain area, Southern Sinai, Egypt. ASTER-TIR indices (Carbonate Index, Quartz Index, and Mafic Index) combined for the first ones with geophysical and geospatial data using fuzzy overlay spatial model (FOSM) to define the potential zones of groundwater in the area of study. The resultant model was tested and validated using the available well data of groundwater in the area of study. The results revealed that over 65% of EL-Qaa area is high to moderate with groundwater potentiality. The favorable areas for groundwater storing are nearly situated in the areas of high infiltration (high pixel values of carbonate and quartz indices) in the northwestern part of EL-Qaa area. Also, the regions in the central western, mid, and northeastern portions of the area of study where fractured rocks are dominant and reasonably higher rainfall. The results demonstrated the potential capacity of ASTER-TIR indices to assess groundwater potential in arid and semi-arid regions when integrated with other geospatial data as a reconnaissance tool.