Wadi Araba Research Articles

Drainage reversal toward cliffs induced by lateral lithologic differences

AbstractDrainage reversals, an end-member case of drainage reorganization, often occur toward cliffs. Reversals are commonly identified by the presence of barbed tributaries, with a junction angle >90°, that preserve the antecedent drainage geometry. The processes that form reversed drainages are largely unknown. Particularly, barbed tributaries cannot form through a spatially uniform migration of the cliff and drainage divide, which would be expected to erase the antecedent drainage pattern, and tectonic tilting toward the cliff that could reverse the flow direction is inconsistent with geodynamic models of large-scale escarpment, where many reversals are documented. Here, we propose a new mechanism for drainage reversal, where the slope imbalance across a cliff, together with the high erodibility of sediments that fill cliff-truncated valleys, result in faster divide migration along valleys compared to interfluves. We demonstrate this mechanism along channels that drain toward the escarpment of the Arava Valley in Israel. Reversal is established by observations of barbed tributaries and opposite-grading terraces. We show that drainage reversal occurs when erodible valley fill exists, and that the reversal extent correlates with the thickness of this fill, in agreement with the predictions of the proposed mechanism. This new reversal mechanism demonstrates that valley fill could play an acute role in fluvial reorganization processes, and that reversals could occur independently of tectonic tilting.

Sources and transformations of iron in the sediments of the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea)

The Gulf of Aqaba is an oligotrophic marine system with an oxygen-rich water column. Aeolian dust from the Arabian, Sinai, and Sahara deserts is an important source of sedimentary material to the gulf, especially at 700 m water depth. The head of the gulf is affected by sediment transport from the Arava desert during winter flash floods. In this work, we have studied the speciation of iron in the dust, dry creek sediments and sediments of the Gulf of Aqaba at various water depths in order to understand sources and transformations of iron. Two sources of iron, dust and flash floods transported material, were found to possess distinct geochemical signatures: dust was found to be enriched in total and highly reactive iron relative to the sediments in creek beds. Combination of these two sources leads to an increase of highly reactive iron in sediments with water depth. This increase, in turn, results in formation of a lateral redox gradient with sulfidic pore-waters near the shore, and ferruginous-manganous pore-waters and cryptic sulfur cycling at the deeper water sites. Another result of dry aeolian deposition of desert dust to the sediments of the Gulf of Aqaba, overlaid by deep well‑oxygenated waters, is anomalously high ratios of highly reactive to total iron, which have been proposed to be diagnostic for anoxic, iron-rich water columns, when applied as a paleoproxy.

Materials flow analysis of a desert food production system:The case of bell peppers

The research presented in this paper embraces a biophysical, materials flow analysis approach, to quantify various direct and indirect environmental interactions of bell peppers grown in the Israeli Arava desert region. The study examines the material flows of one metric ton of bell peppers grown in two types of structures, greenhouses and net-houses, throughout its life-cycle, from “cradle to port” (at key export destinations). It examines materials, land, water and energy inputs, and solid waste and GHG emissions through three stages (1) pre-cultivation including the production of raw materials; (2) cultivation and packaging; (3) post-cultivation, including shipping and waste management. The research found that while there were small differences between the structures themselves, there were major differences between the production-stages. On average, the production of 1 ton of bell peppers in the region (average of the two structures) uses 691kg of materials, an area of 131 m2, and 280m3of water. It generates an average of 712 kg solid waste and 1156 kg CO2e. Overall, 21% (205kg) of the materials were used during the pre-cultivation stage, 67% (643 kg) during cultivation and 12% (118 kg) during the post-cultivation stage. The highest CO2e emissions component of both growing systems is related to the pre-cultivation stage, i.e., production of raw materials (approximately 45%), followed by the cultivation stage (about 38%) and post-cultivation, mainly transportation (17%). The analysis identified the biophysical strengths and weaknesses of each phase, it also indicates possible alternatives for reducing environmental impact, including implementation of select technologies, and points out the influence of societal-communal and economic characteristics and the need for greater investment in the role of public policy.

Late Moscovian (mid-Pennsylvanian) rugose corals from Wadi Araba (Egypt, Eastern Desert): Taxonomy, palaeoecology and palaeobiogeography

An important late Moscovian rugose coral association is described from the Rod El Hamal Formation of the Wadi Araba area (northern Eastern Desert, Egypt). The upper part of the formation yielded a moderately abundant but poorly diversified coral fauna composed of large dissepimented solitary rugose corals. In total, six species belong to the Bothrophyllidae and the Geyerophyllidae, including three new species: Bothrophyllum suezensis, Bothrophyllum cylindricum, and Amygdalophylloides omarai. Three undeterminable Bothrophyllidae taxa are left in open nomenclature. The corals were attached to the soft substrate by talons and rootlets, either rooted and growing upward as mud-stickers or as secondary recliners. They show frequent rejuvenations and constrictions. Encrustation and/or bioerosion are scarce. Carbonate microfacies indicate a habitat in littoral and inner neritic zones adjacent to a low terrigenous hinterland. Colonial taxa are missing and tabulate corals are rare. The corals from the Rod El Hamal Formation are the only example of a late Moscovian coral fauna on the southern margin of the Palaeotethys, that is to say along the northern margin of Gondwana. The association shows similarities with northwestern Spain (Cantabrian Mountains), the Donets and Moscow basins, and thus a general attribution to the Palaeotethys realm.

Drainage system reorganization and late Quaternary tectonic deformation along the southern Dead Sea Transform – ADDENDUM

The Dead Sea Transform (DST) accounts for ~105 km of left-lateral slip between the Arabian plate and the Sinai subplate since the Miocene. Paleoseismic studies along the Arava Valley segment of the DST suggest that late Quaternary deformation has been primarily concentrated along the axis of the transform valley. Here, we examine late Quaternary changes in drainage system characteristics and attribute them to recent tectonic deformation in this region. Field-based geomorphic mapping, topographic cross sections, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of fluvial deposits were used to map and date recent changes in the fluvial characteristics of catchments along the western margin of the southern Arava. Our results reveal coeval migration of channels, consistent with tectonically induced surface tilting caused by north–south compressional deformation along the western margin of the transform valley. OSL dating indicates this tilting was initiated in the late Pleistocene and continued at least into the mid-Holocene. The late Quaternary tectonic deformation along the southern Arava segment of the DST is distributed across a wider zone than previously considered and extends out to the margins of the transform valley. We associate the inferred wider deformation zone to possible changes in the geometry of motion along the DST.

Drainage system reorganization and late Quaternary tectonic deformation along the southern Dead Sea Transform

AbstractThe Dead Sea Transform (DST) accounts for ~105 km of left-lateral slip between the Arabian plate and the Sinai subplate since the Miocene. Paleoseismic studies along the Arava Valley segment of the DST suggest that late Quaternary deformation has been primarily concentrated along the axis of the transform valley. Here, we examine late Quaternary changes in drainage system characteristics and attribute them to recent tectonic deformation in this region. Field-based geomorphic mapping, topographic cross sections, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating of fluvial deposits were used to map and date recent changes in the fluvial characteristics of catchments along the western margin of the southern Arava. Our results reveal coeval migration of channels, consistent with tectonically induced surface tilting caused by north–south compressional deformation along the western margin of the transform valley. OSL dating indicates this tilting was initiated in the late Pleistocene and continued at least into the mid-Holocene. The late Quaternary tectonic deformation along the southern Arava segment of the DST is distributed across a wider zone than previously considered and extends out to the margins of the transform valley. We associate the inferred wider deformation zone to possible changes in the geometry of motion along the DST.

Origin, dimensions, and distribution of remobilized carbonate deposits in a tectonically active zone, Eocene Thebes Formation, Sinai, Egypt

Determination of the distribution and mechanism for carbonate-dominated mass transport sediments is often compromised by the scale and access to exposures. Consequently, many studies lack the resolution to capture the heterogeneity and dimensions of mass transport deposits. This study documents the size, shape, and stratal assemblage of remobilized carbonates in the Eocene Thebes Formation in the Hammam Faraun Fault Block (HFFB) of western Sinai, revealing the complexities of carbonate mass transport deposits at sub-seismic scale. Present day pseudo three-dimensional exposure of the Thebes Formation in a large fault block, formed during the opening of the Gulf of Suez, allowed for lateral and down-dip measurement of slope and basinal facies in the field and from photos. Remobilized facies were digitized in the photos and evaluated using image analysis software, a technique with a wide range of applications to outcrop studies of sedimentary architecture. Debris flow deposits in the lower section of the Thebes Formation comprises clasts with differing fossil assemblages. A relative sea level rise at the start of upper Thebes Formation deposition resulted in basinal sediments comprising periodic incursions of high-density turbidite grainstones encased within a background of planktonic foraminiferal wackestones. Foraminiferal assemblages of remobilized facies imply multiple sources on the carbonate platform, demonstrating the effect of short-lived tectonism on slope instability and deposition of mass transport deposits. The results of the study confirm that tectonism associated with the Syrian Arc Fold Belt, which altered the style of basin sedimentation between Egypt and Syria, persisted into the Eocene at least as far south as Wadi Araba in the western desert and Hammam Faraun in Sinai. In addition, the shape, size, and extent of the two dominant remobilized facies, debris flows and grainstone turbidites are influenced by their mud-rich versus grainy compositions.

Cascading ecological effects from local extirpation of an ecosystem engineer in the Arava desert

The extinction of a single species from a local community may carry little cost in terms of species diversity, yet its loss eliminates its biotic and abiotic interactions. We describe such a scenario in the Arava desert, where different cultural and law enforcement practices exclude Dorcas gazelles (Gazella dorcas (Linnaeus, 1758)) from the Jordanian side of the border while protecting their populations on the Israeli side. We found that gazelles break the soil crust, formed in desert systems after annual flooding, thereby creating patches of loose and cooler sand that are used by pit-building antlions (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae). When we artificially broke the soil crust on both sides of the border, we found a significant increase in antlion density in these patches, but only on the Israeli side. On the Jordanian side, where no gazelles have been observed since the early 1980s, no antlions colonized either control or manipulated plots. Additional choice/no-choice feeding experiments, in which we offered antlions to lizards and birds, revealed that the effect of humans on gazelles cascades farther, as antlions serve as a palatable food source for both groups. Thus, the human-mediated loss of nontrophic interactions between gazelles and antlions cascades to the loss of trophic interactions between antlions and their predators.

Gamma-ray spectrometric investigation of north El-Tor area, southwestern Sinai, Egypt

Interpretation was executed on the airborne and ground spectrometric data of Abu-Zeneima/Al-Tor area for verifying the significant anomalies as it contains important targets for prospective nuclear materials. Airborne spectrometric survey revealed that younger granites, are characterized by increase in the three main radioactive elements up to 5.4% K, 10 ppm eU and 33 ppm eTh. The western part of the study area includes sedimentary section which contains uranium-bearing phosphate beds. They are characterized by increase of airborne uranium concentration up to 14.2 ppm without potassium or thorium enrichment. The airborne image maps for eU/eTh and eU/K as well as ternary composite map revealed also that there is a promising U-anomaly, associated with the sedimentary section.Detailed ground spectrometric survey for the Cretaceous Nubian sandstone in Wadi Araba indicated that it is characterized by eU content reaches about 34 ppm, while eTh attains only about 9.8 ppm and potassium is 1.2%. Therefore, the eU/eTh ratio, reaches to a value of 3.4. The same sandstone bed in Abu - Durba Formation possesses eU values reach 67 ppm, whereas eTh values attain 38 ppm and average of potassium is 0.5%. The eU/eTh ratio is about 2, indicates also enrichment of uranium. The eU reaches a concentration of about 40 ppm in limestone of Matulla Formation whereas, the eTh values attains about 3 ppm and average K is 0.1%. Therefore, the eU/eTh ratio reached 13, due to the limestone is phosphatic. High eU value reaching to 80 ppm is recorded in the limestone facies of Sudr Formation, while the eTh values up to 11 ppm and potassium of about 0.9% are recorded. The eU/eTh ratio value reaching 7.3 indicates the high P2O5 content. A high uranium content is recorded at the northeastern part of El-Qaa plain area in the Sudr Formation reaching 47 ppm, while low eTh values attaining 7.5 ppm and potassium of 0.1% are recorded.

A local strain of Paprika mild mottle virus breaks L3 resistance in peppers and is accelerated in Tomato brown rugose fruit virus-infected Tm-22-resistant tomatoes.

During October 2014, unfamiliar mild mosaic and mottling symptoms were identified on leaves of pepper (Capsicum chinense cv. Habanero) seedlings grown in the Arava valley in Israel 2-3weeks post planting. Symptomatic plants were tested positive by ELISA using laboratory-produced antisera for tobamovirus species. Typical tobamovirus rod-shaped morphology was observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of purified virion preparation that was used for mechanical inoculation of laboratory test plants for the completion of Koch's postulates. The complete viral genome was sequenced from small interfering RNA purified from symptomatic pepper leaves and fruits by next-generation sequencing (NGS) using Illumina MiSeq platform. The contigs generated by the assembly covered 80% of the viral genome. RT-PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing were employed in order to validate the sequence generated by NGS technology. The nucleotide sequence of the complete viral genome was 99% identical to the complete genome of Paprika mild mottle virus isolate from Japan (PaMMV-J), and the deduced amino acid sequence was 99% identical to PaMMV-J protein. Amplicons from seed RNA showed 100% identity to the viral isolate from the collected symptomatic pepper plants. Partial host range analysis revealed a slow development of systemic infection in inoculated tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum). Interestingly, double inoculation of susceptible wild-type tomato plants and Tm-22-resistant tomato plants with the PaMMV-IL and Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) resulted in accelerated viral expression in the plants.

Spatiotemporal variations in soil cultivable mycobiota at the Arava desert (Israel) along latitudinal and elevational gradients.

Regional, local, and seasonal distribution of soil culturable microfungi in the Arava Valley, Israel, was examined along altitudinal and latitudinal gradients. A total of 198 species from 86 genera were isolated using the soil dilution plate method. Melanin-containing species with large multi-cellular spores dominated the majority of microfungal communities, while species with picnidial fruit bodies mostly prevailed in the northern part of the Arava Valley located at 190 m below sea level. Aspergilli (mainly Aspergillus fumigatus) and teleomorphic ascomycetes comprised the basic part of thermotolerant mycobiota obtained at 37 °C. The soil at the northern part of the desert held the highest number of microfungal isolates and, at the same time, was characterized by significantly lower species richness. The open sun-exposed localities harbored a significantly higher number of species than the localities under shrub canopies. Isolate density displayed the opposite trend and was significantly lower in the open than in shrub localities. The mycobiota characteristics such as species composition, contribution of major groupings to mycobiota structure, diversity level, and isolate density showed significant correlations with measured edaphic parameters—organic matter content, water content, pH, and especially, with electrical conductivity. Among the environmental aspects, locality position along altitudinal and latitudinal gradients accompanied by locality type (open sun-exposed or under shrubs), strongly influenced the community's characteristics, thus demonstrating the effect of the unique altitudinal position of the northern part of the Arava Valley as well as the ability of microfungal communities to be sensitive to the microscale environmental variability.

Effects of large historical earthquakes on archeological structures in Jordan

This study tackles a set of conclusions and involves an evaluation of presumptive historical earthquakes in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, which hit the region and strongly affected the archeological sites in Jordan. Actually, the core of the study was the ancient cities of Umm Qais (Gadara), Umm Al-Jimal, Deir Al-Kahf, Al-Azraq, and Pella in the North and Dhahil water reservoir and Humaima in the South. The archeological excavations made during the past 20 years helped a lot of the region’s seismicity re-evaluation and relocation of historical earthquakes, about which the researchers argued on determining their epicenters and magnitudes. The recent excavations at Umm Qais (Gadara) indicated that earthquake-impacted ruins have been buried under nearly 2 m of dust deposits for centuries. So, such important indicators that can be relied upon to determine the epicenter and magnitude evaluation of these historical earthquakes were unveiled. Based on the recent available excavations, it is obvious that Umm Qais was affected by two seismic events within a time interval of not less than 100 years. In the light of the results found in Umm Qais and the remote archeological sites of Umm Al-Jimal and Deir Al-Kahf, there was no azimuthal projection of neither collapsed nor tilted columns indicating that there was a major earthquake with the epicenter located in the Carmel rupture zone in the North of Palestine, and not in the rift zone as reported earlier. But, the second earthquake was at the northwest of Umm Qais. The earthquake reported here seems to coincide with the reported major earthquake in 748 AD while the second one that occurred earlier corresponds to the 551 AD. The eastward collapsed towers in the South with respect to the southern archeological site of Humaima and a seismic swarm in Sep. 20, 2003, suggested that the Wadi Araba fault may not be continuous but segmented, subject to confirmation by detailed sub-surface structural information.

Impact of Aeolian Dry Deposition of Reactive Iron Minerals on Sulfur Cycling in Sediments of the Gulf of Aqaba.

The Gulf of Aqaba is an oligotrophic marine system with oxygen-rich water column and organic carbon-poor sediments (≤0.6% at sites that are not influenced by anthropogenic impact). Aeolian dust deposition from the Arabian, Sinai, and Sahara Deserts is an important source of sediment, especially at the deep-water sites of the Gulf, which are less affected by sediment transport from the Arava Desert during seasonal flash floods. Microbial sulfate reduction in sediments is inferred from the presence of pyrite (although at relatively low concentrations), the presence of sulfide oxidation intermediates, and by the sulfur isotopic composition of sulfate and solid-phase sulfides. Saharan dust is characterized by high amounts of iron minerals such as hematite and goethite. We demonstrated, that the resulting high sedimentary content of reactive iron(III) (hydr)oxides, originating from this aeolian dry deposition of desert dust, leads to fast re-oxidation of hydrogen sulfide produced during microbial sulfate reduction and limits preservation of reduced sulfur in the form of pyrite. We conclude that at these sites the sedimentary sulfur cycle may be defined as cryptic.

The instrumental seismicity of the Jordan Dead Sea transform

The instrumental seismicity that occurred in the Jordan Dead Sea transform region during the period 1900–2014 is compiled from all available sources. Some 492 phosphate mining explosions (M ≤ 3.9) are recognized and filtered from the data. Excluding these, it is found that 4448 earthquakes have occurred with magnitudes M ≥ 3.0. Only 572, 18 and 2 of these had magnitudes M ≥ 4, 5, and 6 in respective order. Average recurrence periods for the 5 and 6 magnitudes are 6.3 and 57 years. Much of these have occurred in sequences and swarms. The epicentral distribution of the compiled instrumental seismicity data shows very good correlation with the general tectonics of the study region. All tectonic elements are active in the present with a noticeable hazard. The regional strike-slip faults of the transform proper remain the major sources of this hazard. They account for not less than 99% of the seismic energy released from all instrumental data. The calculated a-parameter of the whole transform is 6.6. It varies for all its strike-slip faults mostly in the range 6.0–6.6. The b-value of the whole transform and some of its major segments is 1.0. Others show b-variations in the range of 1.1–1.3. Such a- and b-values imply recurrence periods of 38 years and 395 years for the 6 and 7 magnitude earthquakes. Such values, their variations and the seismic moment calculations clearly indicate an appreciable level of seismic hazard associated with all segments. This hazard appears to be highest for Al Ghab segment, followed by Beqa’a and Wadi Araba segments, respectively. The other three segments appear to be of lower hazard. The seismicity of this region is very shallow. More than 99% of the seismic energy has been released from the brittle granitic upper crust whose thickness is about 21 km and its Poisson’s ratio is 0.25. More than 93.6% of the energy was released from its upper 10 km. Very little energy is released from the underlying ductile basaltic crust whose Poisson’s ratio is 0.29. The calculated seismic slip rate along the Whole Jordan Dead Sea transform is 0.54 cm/year if the fault depth is assumed 10 km. It increases to 0.77 and 1.07 cm/year if the fault depth is reduced to 7 and 5 km, respectively. These slip rates are comparable with the long-term geologically deduced rate of 1 cm/year.

Increasing water productivity in arid regions using low-discharge drip irrigation: a case study on potato growth

Potato is sensitive to excess or deficit irrigation and therefore requires the efficient use of water, especially in arid regions. Low-discharge drip irrigation has been suggested as an efficient irrigation method, providing an optimal amount of water and fertilizer directly to the root zone. However, field studies using a continuous irrigation system with low discharge have rarely been reported, in particular for arid regions. The main objective of the current study was to optimize the irrigation regime of low-discharge drip irrigation under potato growth. Specifically, we examined combinations of dripper discharge, dripper spacing, and irrigation doses. We report the results from two subsequent years of potato growth in the Arava Desert, Israel. The results obtained suggest that the lower the irrigation dose, the higher the water productivity (i.e., yield/dose), regardless of the dripper discharge (first year 0.6 vs. 1.6 L h−1 and second year 0.6 L h−1) or spacing (first year 20 vs. 40 cm and second year 25 vs. 50 cm). In terms of economic viability and/or food production, the results of this study imply that one may consider using low irrigation doses relative to the optimal. Specifically, for a given field, the total tuber yield will be smaller. However, if available agricultural lands are not a limiting factor (such as in the Arava Desert), higher yields can be obtained with a small irrigation dose in a larger area, with no significant reduction in tuber quality.

Of Trees and People: The Changing Entanglement in the Israeli Desert

ABSTRACTThis article portrays the shift experienced in the role of acacia trees during environmental–political struggles as the entanglement of trees and people. Drawing on a four-year ethnographic study around Israel’s Arava desert valley, the article narrates human interactions with these trees amid an environmental conflict fraught with personal and political conflict, opposing perspectives on natural preservation and scientific debate, as well as disputes among environmental organisations. Contrary to current approaches in anthropology that –theoretically at least – confer agency on the non-human, I refocus on the human practices that weave the non-human into the social fabric. In this article, I argue that the trees – not actors in their own right, yet inhabiting a tapestry of people and other elements – are essential to understanding a variety of social processes.

Palaeogeographical type of the geological heritage of Egypt: A new evidence

The geoconservation and geotourism potential of Northeast Africa and, particularly, Egypt is big, but the knowledge of geosites of this territory remains limited. Another urgent task is establishment of the geological heritage of different types. The literature review and the personal field experience permit to propose several geosites that reflect the geological history of Egypt. These include El-Goza El-Hamra, Gebel Qatrani and Birqash, Khashm El-Galala, Wadi El-Hitan, Kom El-Shelul, Wadi Araba, Gebel Umm Bisilla, Maadi Petrified Forest, Dababiya Quarry, and Atud. The noted geosites represent all six main subtypes (facies, palaeoecological, ichnological, taphonomic, event, and geoarchaeological) of the palaeogeographical type of the geological heritage. Their rank varies between local and global. The entire palaeogeographical heritage of Egypt is of international importance. It is argued that three kinds of geodiversity are linked to this heritage. These are determined by the number of subtypes in the country, the co-occurrence of subtypes in the geosites, and the combination of the palaeogeographical and other geological heritage types. The proposed palaeogeographical geosites can be employed successfully for the purposes of geoconservation and geotourism. Presumably, the importance of archaeological objects for tourism activities in Egypt may facilitate attractiveness of the palaeogeographical heritage.

Mobile Aerosol Measurement in the Eastern Mediterranean - A Utilization of Portable Instruments

ABSTRACTAir pollution research and reports have been limited in the Middle East, especially in Jordan with respect to aerosol particle number concentrations. In this study, we utilized a simple “mobile setup” to measure, for the first time, the spatial variation of aerosol concentrations in Eastern Mediterranean. The mobile setup consisted of portable aerosol instruments to measure particle number concentrations (cut off sizes 0.01, 0.02, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 µm), particle mass concentrations (PM1, PM2.5, and PM10), and black carbon concentration all situated on the back seat of a sedan car. The car was driven with open windows to ensure sufficient cabin air ventilation for reliable outdoor aerosol sampling. Although the measurement campaign was two days long, but it provided preliminary information about aerosols concentrations over a large spatial scale that covered more than three quarters of Jordan. We should keep in mind that the presented concentrations reflect on road conditions. The submicron particle concentrations were the highest in the urban locations (e.g., Amman and Zarqa) and inside cities with heavy duty vehicles activities (e.g., Azraq). The highest micron particle concentrations were observed in the southern part of the country and in places close to the desert area (e.g., Wadi Rum and Wadi Araba). The average submicron concentration was 4.9 × 103 – 120 × 103 cm–3 (5.7–86.7 µg m–3) whereas the average micron particle concentration was 1–11 cm–3 (8–150 µg m–3, assume ρp = 1 g cm–3). The main road passing through Jafr in the eastern part of Jordan exhibited submicron concentration as low as 800 cm–3. The PM10 concentration consisted of about 40–75% as PM1. The black carbon (BC) concentration variation was in good agreement with the PM1 as well as the submicron particle number concentration.

Late Carboniferous Macroflora from Rod El-Hamal Formation Wadi Araba, North Eastern Desert, Egypt

The Late Carboniferous of Rod El-Hamal Formation, Wadi Araba has some fossil plant remains content. The systematic description of these remains reveals the identification of twelve species representing Lycophyta, Sphenophyta, Pteridospermatophyta, and Cordaitophyta. All are recorded for the first time from this formation.

PENGARUH BAGI HASIL DAN JUMLAH CABANG TERHADAP DEPOSITO MUDHARABAH BANK SYARIAH

Islamic banks are now experiencing rapid development in Indonesia. This can be seen by the increasing level of customer confidence in investing their funds in Islamic banks. This research aims to influence P rofits Sharing and Amount of Network Branches to The Mudharabah Deposits in Islamic bank in Indonesia 2010-2013. Population of this research are Islamic banks and Islamic business units. This research uses secondary data taken from Islamic Banking Statistics from the official website of Bank Indonesia and the Central Bureau of Statistics. Data analysis techniques that used in this research is multiple regression analysis. These results indicate that profit sharing does not effect to m udharabah deposits. Predictive ability of four variables on Mudharabah deposits amounted to 96,7%, while the remaining 3,3% that influenced by other factor s out of the research model. The conclusion of the research is in partial profit sharing variable does not affect to the deposits mud h araba h . Meanwhile, amount of network branches has positive impact to the deposits mud h araba h. Suggestions for further research are expected to use data with a longer period of time, add another independent variable and research third party funds other deposits mud h araba h . Keywords :Mudharaba h Deposits;Profit Sharing;Islamic Bankin g,