Abstract
Al Bardawil Lagoon is a very saline lagoon located in North Sinai, Egypt. It is subjected to environmental changes due to the implementation of a mega agricultural project close to its southern border. Accordingly, defining the hydrological characteristics of the lagoon was the objective of the current work to set the hydrological baseline for future changes expected due to ongoing human activities and agricultural developments planned in the lagoon’s vicinity. Historical meteorological data were collected and statistically analyzed to achieve the study objective. In addition, tide action, the lagoon’s bathymetry, and water table fluctuation were studied. Furthermore, groundwater aquifer interaction with the lagoon’s hydrologic system was considered. The study defined the water resources and water losses of the hydrological system of the lagoon. In addition, tide investigations revealed that the tide range is small. Furthermore, the study defined the water budget of the lagoon. Results indicated that the lagoon’s water resources are rainfall with an annual volume of 61.95 million cubic meters (4.4%); the groundwater aquifer contributes about 8.64 million cubic meters (0.6%). Annual evaporation losses are 1155 million cubic meters (82.2%). Salt production requirements represent about 17.8% of the outflow from the lagoon. Results of wind speed and direction data revealed that the dominant regional wind direction is NW and is characterized by magnitudes of about 4.5 m/s Results analysis demonstrated that the inflow of the lagoon is always less than the outflow with an annual volume of 1335 million cubic meter supplemented by the Mediterranean Sea water. This difference maintained water levels in the lagoon below mean sea level throughout the year, with values ranging between 11 and 22 cm. This process maintained a continuous movement of the seawater toward the lagoon. Water table fluctuation results indicated that the average water table in the lagoon is lower than the seawater level, with an average value of 22 cm for the observation period. Furthermore, the difference between the maximum and the minimum water table is in the tide range of the eastern region of the Mediterranean Sea. Similar hydrological studies are recommended for other coastal lagoons in Egypt. In addition, a hydrological observation system is recommended for the Al Bardawil Lagoon.
Highlights
Coastal lakes within the coastal zone of Egypt act as multi-functions for the surrounding environment and local people
Al Bardawil Lagoon is a shallow hypersaline lagoon located in the North Sinai, Egypt
The hydrological characteristics of the lagoon were investigated in the current study
Summary
Coastal lakes within the coastal zone of Egypt act as multi-functions for the surrounding environment and local people. The continuous freshwater inflows, coupled with seasonal the difference between precipitation and evaporation magnitudes, result in spatial and temporal variability in lagoons’ water levels, salinity, and nutrient status [11]. Both quantities and qualities of freshwater inflows into the lagoons and lakes are largely influenced by the catchment area size, its geology, and its climate [12]. Al Bardawil Lagoon is subjected to different anthropogenic activities, such as the mega land reclamation project in Northern Sinai and El-Salam canal Seepage from both irrigation and drainage waters through the soil of loose sand will affect the water quality of the lake and eventually end up in the aquifer beneath the lake and its catchment area. A field program was implemented to record the water table for a period of three months in the year 2004
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