Sinai Area Research Articles

Comprehensive Assessment of A-Type Granite from South Sinai, Egypt: Geochemistry, Zircon Geochemistry, and Geochronology

The A-type granites are an important component of the Earth's continental crust and play a significant role in understanding crustal evolution and tectonic processes. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of A-type granites from Ataitir El Dehami granites (ADG) that located at the north-western part of Wadi Seih area in South Sinai, using geochemistry, zircon geochemistry, and geochronology characteristics. The geochemical analysis reveals that ADG are characterized by high silica content, relatively high FeO*, and high alkali concentration consistent with the A-type granites that derived from the melting of tonalite sources. Zircons from Ataitir El Dehami granites have high REE contents with Ce enrichment and depletion of Eu, which, together with the high U/Yb ratios, suggest that the studied granites were generated from melting of continental crust rocks. Zircon U-Pb geochronological data indicates that the granite emplacement occurred around 575 to 603 Ma throughout continuous exhumation pulses. The isotopic analyses also indicate that the presence of inherited zircon grains (735± 9Ma). The present data suggest that the studied granites were formed in a post-collisional setting, and represent the transition stage from convergence to extension that occurred at 600 Ma.

Assessment of groundwater aquifer using geophysical and remote sensing data on the area of Central Sinai, Egypt

The study aims to assess groundwater resources in Sinai's central area using remote sensing, geoelectric, and well-logging data, utilising techniques for modelling hydrogeological frameworks and evaluating desert regions' groundwater potential. Its utilized satellite image sources, soil maps, and geological maps to map the effects of various factors on groundwater potentiality recharge, dividing it into five zones. Eighteen deep VES stations were used to examine the upper part of the groundwater aquifer in Central Sinai, Egypt, comparing it with available borehole information (Well-1, and JICA-1) to establish subsurface geology and hydro-geology positioning. Borehole data, VES interpretation results, hydro-geophysical maps, and four geoelectrical cross-sections were used to visualize the rearward expansion of eight lithological units, groundwater-bearing sections, and aquifer-filled thicknesses. From interpretation data output reveal three zones with significant recharge and storage potential, including two groundwater aquifers. The shallow aquifer has a saturation thickness of the fractured limestone of 35–250 m, while the deep aquifer Nubian sandstone is detected at depths ranging from 660–1030 m. NW–SE and NE–SW faults likely recharge conduits connecting shallow and deep aquifers, providing sites with acceptable groundwater potential for living, agriculture, and development in Sinai.

Extraction of uranium and rare earths from mineralized ferruginous sandstone, southwestern Sinai

Abstract A technological sample assaying 943 ppm U and about 0.97 % RE2O3 in a mineralized ferruginous sandstone has been collected from Wadi Sedri area of southwestern Sinai. The XRD analysis has releaved the presence of uranium minerals namely; coffinite and sodium meta-autonite but the rare earths adsorbed on the clay minerals inter the ore sample. Leaching of uranium and rare earths from the studied sample is based on ferric sulfate salt. The relevant conditions e.g. (6 g/L ferric sulfate concentration, 1/5 S/L ratio, time 8 h, T = 80 °C and 7.5 g/L H2SO4 concentration) of the ferric ion leaching for uranium and rare earths have been optimized. From the obtained leach liquor, the rare earths are precipitated as oxalates. This is followed by uranium recovery using anion exchange resin as impregnated Lewatite Monoplus M 500/Alamine 304. Therefore, highly pure products of uranium and rare earths have been obtained and chemically analyzed.

Evaluate the incidence, topography, management, and outcomes in patients with polytrauma in the Suez Canal and Sinai areas.

The global prevalence of trauma-related mortality ranges from 2% to 32%; however, In Egypt, it reaches 8%. Trauma chiefly affects people in the productive age group; seriously ill patients with multiple injuries present with various levels of polytrauma. Application of incorrect triage systems and improperly trained trauma teams increase mortality and morbidity rates in non-dedicated institutions; however, these rates can decrease with appropriate infrastructure. This study aimed to improve the quality of care for patients with polytrauma through improved knowledge of the different severity levels of polytrauma and defined databases, using a suitable triage trauma system, well-trained trauma team, and appropriate infrastructure. This observational cross-sectional study was conducted at the emergency department (ED), over a study period of 7 months, from August 10, 2019, to March 09, 2020. This study included 458 patients with polytrauma who had met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and attended the ED of Suez Canal University Hospital. The incidence of trauma among all emergency cases in the ED was 5.3%. However, most multiple injuries are mild, accounting for 44.4%, while 27.3% of the cases had life-threatening injuries. Moreover, 41.9% of the patients were managed non-operatively, whereas 58.1% of the patients required surgical interventions. Concerning the outcome, 56% and 6.9% of patients with and without life-threatening injuries respectively, died. Facilities of the highest quality should be available for patients with polytrauma, especially those with life-threatening injuries. In addition, training emergency medical service staff for trauma triage is essential, and at least one tertiary hospital is required in every major city in the Suez Canal and Sinai areas to decrease trauma-related mortality.

Application of geophysical techniques for shallow groundwater investigation using 1D-lateral constrained and 2D inversions in Ras Gara area, southwestern Sinai, Egypt

There is an urgent need for greater water resources to support sustainable development in Ras Gara area of southwestern Sinai. Determining the water-bearing zones of the shallow Quaternary aquifer of the Araba Formation in the study region is therefore the main objective of the research. This will be done by using a variety of geophysical techniques, such as DC resistivity sounding and shallow seismic refraction surveys. Using the Schlumberger array (max. AB = 1200 m), the DC data were gathered at 27 VES locations along five primary profiles. At the same locations, 27 spreads totaling 115 m in length of seismic data were also performed. One-dimensional laterally constrained (1D-LCI) inversion is only applied to the DC data in order to generate a best-fit model, whereas 2D inversion is applied to other datasets. The area is divided up into five geo-electrical layers based on the results of 1D-LCI inversion of DC data, and the aquifer is classified into fresh (third layer) and saline bearing-zones (fourth layer). The resistivity values of the fresh-zone range from 8.7 to 26.7 Ω.m, with only low values (5–7.5 Ω.m) found at some VES sites, while the resistivity values of the saline-zone range between 0.9 and 3 Ω.m, except for (14.4 Ω.m) at VES-04. At depths of (2.4–15.6 m) and (8.7–28.5 m) for the fresh and saline zones, respectively. In this region, the shallow low resistive (about 10–100 Ω.m) and intermediate high conductive (< 10 Ω.m) layers of the 2D-DC inverted model represent the fresh and saline zones of the aquifer, respectively. The basement rocks were represented by a deep, extremely high resistive layer that can reach 40,000 Ω.m. Three subsurface layers are identified from the results of the 2D inversion of seismic data (VP1 = 400–1100 m.s−1, VP2 = 1200–1900 m.s−1 and VP3 = 2400–5400 m.s−1). The saturated zone of this aquifer is represented by the second layer (depth, 3.7–20.5 m). The basement rocks are also reflected in the last layer of high velocity. The inversion results and the previously available hydro-geological map data show a good degree of concordance. In the eastern portion of the study area, additional water wells could be drilled for additional water resources.

Large-scale paleo water-table rise in a deep desert aquifer recorded by dissolved noble gases

• Very high amounts of dissolved noble gases were identified in a deep desert aquifer. • Large water table fluctuations during past pluvial periods are reconstructed. • Hydrogeological settings highly affect the air entrapment and dissolution process. • Similar excess air dissolution patterns are identified in distinct desert aquifers. Illuminating past hydrological and climatological conditions in arid regions may provide insights into future trends in groundwater availability. The main objective of this study is to explore paleorecharge processes in the deep regional Nubian Sandstone Aquifer (NSA), which stretches below the hyperarid deserts of the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt) and the Negev (Israel), using dissolved noble gas data. Extremely high amounts of dissolved excess air (Ne concentrations up to 4 × solubility equilibrium) were observed in the ancient ( 81 Kr-depleted) groundwater that was recharged during past pluvial epochs in the basin. The observed unique excess air signal and the clear spatiotemporal structure of the noble gas compositions in the aquifer are hypothesized to reflect two major characteristics of the groundwater system: (a) large-scale, long-term rises in the water table that facilitate the entrapment and dissolution of air bubbles under increased hydrostatic pressure, and (b) the geological settings in the southern recharge area in Sinai, including an almost horizontal position of the layers and intercalation of low-permeability rock formations within the aquifer, which inefficiently reject air bubbles from groundwater, thereby allowing for substantial entrapment of bubbles that dissolve as the water table rises. Enhanced dissolution of entrapped air was also observed in other paleo-groundwater-containing regional sandstone aquifers across North Africa, which, together with the recent findings from the NSA, suggest that large-scale water table fluctuations have likely extensively occurred during past pluvial periods over these (and possibly other) arid regions. A preliminary assessment of noble gas recharge temperatures (NGTs) indicates an apparent decoupling of surface and water table temperatures in the case of deep aquifers with a thick (hundreds of m) unsaturated zone. This observed decoupling calls for a re-evaluation of previously obtained NGT records and a need for future work to consider the modification of NGTs due to soil air fractionation and geothermal heating of the underlying deep unsaturated zones.

Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy, Paleoecology and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Upper Campanian –Lower Eocene (Ypresian) Succession at Gabal Qabeliat Section, Southwestern Sinai area, Egypt

Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy, Paleoecology and Sequence Stratigraphy of the Upper Campanian –Lower Eocene (Ypresian) Succession at Gabal Qabeliat Section, Southwestern Sinai area, Egypt

Aerial gamma-ray spectrometric survey data as a guide for probable hydrocarbon accumulations at Abu-Zeneima/Al-Tur area, Southwestern Sinai, Egypt

A method using surface and aerial gamma-ray spectral measurements to explore the hydrocarbon accumulations in Abu-Zeneima/Al-Tur area of Southwestern Sinai, Egypt, was selected due to both its structural setting and its location in close proximity to the Gulf of Suez, which represents one of the important sites of oil production in Egypt.Examination of the normalized potassium map (KD %) shows low concentrations above Abu-Alaqah, Thebes, and Kariem formations, while normalized equivalent uranium map (eUD %) shows a high concentration above these formations. The Deviation of Radio-Active Derivative (DRAD) map shows some of the delineated high positive DRAD anomalies, which are elongated in the NW–SE direction and related to Abu-Alaqah, Thebes, and Kariem formations.Data from every formation and rock unit as well as each flight line were extracted in XYZ format and evaluated with simple statistical applications. The DRAD arithmetic means plus three standard deviations (x + 3s) and plus two standard deviations (x + 2s) for the data set all over the study area were computed and reached the values of 2.5 and 2.1, respectively. Any single point that possesses a value greater than these two values should have a probability of 99.7% and 95%, respectively, of possible petroleum accumulations and represents a sure anomaly. The use of these criteria helped identify Abu-Alaqah, Thebes, and Kariem formations. Moreover, five zones along four flight lines correlating geologically with Abu-Alaqah, Thebes, and Kariem formations have sure anomalies. This might indicate a prospective possibility of feasible subsurface petroleum accumulations in Abu-Zeneima/Al-Tur area, Southwestern Sinai, Egypt.

Application of the C-N fractal model, factor analysis and geochemical mineralization probability index (GMPI) for delineating geochemical anomalies related to a Mn-Fe deposit and associated Cu mineralization in west-central Sinai, Egypt

The west-central Sinai area includes one of the most productive manganese deposits in Egypt (Um Bogma Mn-Fe ore). The explored area is covered by a Carboniferous and Cambro-Ordovician sedimentary succession overlying Precambrian basement rocks. The purpose of this study is to delineate geochemical anomalies of ore and related elements and track their dispersion trains, which may lead to the discovery of unknown ore deposits. For this purpose, 143 stream sediment samples were analysed and the data were interpreted using the concentration–number (C-N) fractal model, factor analysis and the geochemical mineralization probability index (GMPI). Geochemical thresholds obtained from the C-N fractal model, factor scores and GMPI were used for constructing geochemical anomaly maps and delineating probable anomalous sites. The spatial distribution of Mn, Cu, Co, Pb and Zn anomalies was correlated to Mn and Cu mineralization sites whereas those of Fe and Cr were consistent with mafic rock distributions. Factor analysis revealed significant element associations for mineralization (Cu, Co, Mn, Zn, Pb), country rock composition (Fe, Cr) and element mobility (Cd, Zn). The spatial distribution of ore elements (Mn, Cu) delineated by the factor score and GMPI distribution maps was confirmed and more accurately interpreted using geochemical anomaly maps constructed based on the fractal-derived thresholds. Based on the current study, recent Cu and Mn mineralization sites may be suggested. Cobalt, Zn, Pb and Cd are suggested as efficient pathfinder elements for marine Mn deposits. A dispersion sequence of Cd&gt;Mn&gt;Co&gt;Pb&gt;Zn&gt;Cu&gt;Cr&gt;Fe was proposed based on the threshold distribution patterns of these elements. Supplementary material: Tables S1–S3 and Figures S1 and S2 are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5463511

Application of the multi potential geophysical techniques for groundwater evaluation in a part of Central Sinai Peninsula_ Egypt

This study highlights the groundwater evaluation of the Nubian sandstone aquifers regarding assessing the main structural elements, trends, and depth to the basement rocks that control the groundwater aquifers in Egypt's central Sinai area. Gravity and magnetic data were analyzed using different techniques, such as wavenumber filtering, least-squares separation techniques, and tilt derivatives. Euler deconvolution with different structural indexes (SI), power spectrum analyses, 3-D crustal modeling. The deep-seated structures affecting the study area, and the basement depth, which range between 1170 and 4590 m., have been utilized. The main structural trends affecting the study area were delineated to control the groundwater aquifer's regional geometry. Moreover, it was found that the NorthWest-SouthEast trend direction – Suez Gulf trend – was caused by primary shear, and the NorthEast-SouthWest trend direction – Aqaba Gulf trend – was caused by the secondary shear. The direction of each trend's lateral movement was to the right and the left, respectively. Meanwhile, the geoelectrical resistivity measurements were also utilized to determine the ground water-bearing formations using eighteen deep vertical electrical soundings (VES) stations. The results revealed the depth to the uppermost part of the Nubian sandstone aquifer ranging between 598 and 1106 m; the combination of the depth to the uppermost part of the Nubian aquifer, the depth of the basement relief map revealed that the aquifer thickness varies from 430 to 3750 m, and the resistivity values ranging between 22 and 214 Ω.m.

Spatio-temporal analysis of Egyptian flower mantisBlepharopsis mendica(order: mantodea), with notes of its future status under climate change.

Egyptian flower mantis Blepharopsis mendica (Order: Mantodea) is a widespread mantis species throughout the southwest Palearctic region. The ecological and geographical distribution of such interesting species is rarely known. So, through this work, habitat suitability models for its distribution through Egyptian territory were created using MaxEnt software from 90 occurrence records. One topographic (altitude) and eleven bioclimatic variables influencing the species distribution were selected to generate the models. The predicted distribution in Egypt was focused on the Delta, South Sinai, the north-eastern part of the country, and some areas in the west including Siwa Oasis. Temporal analysis between the two periods (1900–1961) and (1961–2017) show current reduction of this species distribution through Delta and its surrounding areas, may be due to urbanization. On the other hand, it increases in newly protected areas of South Sinai. Under the future climate change scenario, the MaxEnt model predicted the habitat gains for B. mendica in RCP 2.6 for 2070 and loss of habitat in RCP 8.5 for the same year. Our results can be used as a basis for conserving this species not only in Egypt, but also throughout the whole of its range, also, it show how the using of geo-information could help in studying animal ecology.

Characteristics and generation modeling of some source rocks in the South Eastern offshore Mediterranean area, Egypt

The offshore North Sinai area contains attractive approaches to be investigated by means of hydrocarbon potential. The present work aims at evaluating three source rock units; the Upper Jurassic, the Lower Cretaceous, and the Upper Oligocene that have a varying lithology including limestones, marl, and shales. The evaluation is based on results of TOC, Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and vitrinite reflectance analyses for ditch cuttings from 5 wells. Besides, constructing 1D basin models for several wells took place in the present study to estimate the generation timing. The geochemical results show that the Upper Jurassic contains poor to good organic quantity with poor to good hydrocarbon generating potential of type II/III and type III kerogen. The Lower Cretaceous rocks are poor to very good in terms of organic richness and hydrocarbon generating potential as well and belong to type II/III and minor type III kerogen. Moreover, a poor to good richness was encountered for the Upper Oligocene, with poor to fair hydrocarbon generation potential of kerogen type III. 1D basin modeling results indicate that three main tectonic phases influenced the burial history comprising the Jurassic-Cretaceous rift, the Late Cretaceous-Oligocene uplift associated with the Syrian arc folding, and the Late Miocene rift. These movements affected the thermal maturity in the studied area. The Upper Oligocene source rock is immature to early mature in most of the studied wells, whereas the Lower Cretaceous and Upper Jurassic source rocks were entered the main stage of hydrocarbon generation earlier in the eastern wells than the western wells, related to a variant tectonic impact in the area. The top oil window was reached at depth ranges from 2300 m in Mango-3 well to 4000 m in Hout-1 well, while the base of the oil window is found only in Mango-1 well at 4300 m depth.

In vitro propagation and DNA barcode analysis of the endangered Silene schimperiana in Saint Katherine protectorate

BackgroundAnthropogenic activity, climate change, pollution, and exploitation of natural resources are some reasons that cause threatening of plant diversity. Silene schimperiana is an endangered plant species in Egypt and is endemic to the high mountain of Saint Katherine Protected Area in southern Sinai. The purpose of the study was the ex situ conservation of Silene schimperiana through in vitro propagation and DNA barcode analysis. ResultsTo develop an efficient ex situ conservation program of the plant, in vitro propagation protocol has been achieved from shoot tip and stem nodal segment explants of in vitro germinated seedlings. Explants were established in vitro on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2.89 μM gibberellic acid (GA3), 1.08 μM α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and 1.16 μM kinetin (Kin). The highest number of axillary shoots (9.27) was obtained when they were transferred to MS medium supplemented with 4.48 μM 6-benzyl adenine (BA). Hundred percent of multiple axillary shoots were rooted on quarter-strength MS medium supplemented with 4.92 μM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and 10.75 μM NAA. Rooted plants were transferred to pots containing a soil-peat mixture (1: 2 v/v) and successfully acclimatized in the greenhouse. Plant identification is a crucial aspect to understand and conserve plant diversity from extinction. DNA barcode analysis of Silene schimperiana was carried out using two chloroplast DNA markers (cpDNA): 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (rbcL) and RNA polymerase subunit (rpoC1) and a nuclear ribosome DNA marker (ncDNA), internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Phylogenetic analysis revealed a successful identification of Silene schimperiana on the species and genus levels and supported the inclusion of Silene schimperiana in genus Silene. ConclusionsIn this study, a relevant in vitro propagation method was established to facilitate the recovery of Silene schimperiana, in addition to DNA barcoding of the plant as a tool for effective management and conservation of plant genetic resources.

Gold resources from clastic Cambrian rocks and their link with underlying Precambrian rocks, southern Sinai, Egypt

Geological, mineralogical, and geochemical methods are utilized to discover new gold resources in the Cambrian clastic rocks in the area of southern Sinai. Relation between the Precambrian basement rocks and the overlying gold-bearing Cambrian sediments is also clarified. The Cambrian sediments are underlined by Precambrian basement rocks in which gold mineralization is closely related to intrusive granitic and volcanic rocks. The Cambrian clastic sediments are composed of basal conglomerate and thick sequence of sandstone and siltstone. The mineralogical studies revealed that the conglomerate and quartz-sandstone of the lower Cambrian platform are hosting zircon, monazite, uranophane, thoriante and xenotime, pyrite, and gold. The association of gold, rare earth element (REE)-bearing minerals, and sulfide suggested that these Cambrian sediments are the result weathering of former gold-enriched Precambrian hinterlands. Major and trace elements show the enrichment of silica, high field strength elements (Zr, Y, Nb, Hf, Th, and U), and depletion of all other major elements (Fe2O3, TiO2, MnO, MgO, K2O, Na2O, and CaO) and large-ion lithophile elements (Rb, Ba, and Sr); among the trace elements, gold shows high concentration range from 0.5 to 13 ppm. REE pattern shows enrichment in LREE and flat HREE with negative Eu anomalies, all of these indicate that the provenance of the present Cambrian sediments is a granitoid-greenstone located to the south. The geochemical parameters (Th/Co, Zr/Co, Th/La, and Th/Yb ratios) and the Paleo-weathering indices (CIA and ICV) for the Cambrian sediments indicate that they were derived from felsic source rocks which were subjected to high chemical weathering under humid climatic condition. The geochemical data and discrimination function plots indicate that the present Cambrian sediments deposited in a passive continental margin.

Genetic diversity and population structure of the medicinal plant Achillea fragrantissima (Forssk.) Sch. Bip. in the mountains of South Sinai, Egypt

The genetic diversity of 50 plant accessions of Achillea fragrantissima, in eight populations in the mountainous area of south Sinai, Egypt was studied using variation in inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) fingerprinting with reference to variation in some morphological quantitative traits and soil physical texture. Two clustering methods were used to illustrate intra and inter-population genetic variation of the 50 examined plants. The plants of the same population were clustered together indicating close genetic affinity of plants in the same site. On the other hand plants in populations growing at high elevations, in rocky gravelly soils, were differentiated from populations at lower elevations and gravely sandy soils. Scatter plot constructed by Principal coordinates analysis (PCA) differentiated the populations. These results are supported by assessing population structure, which allocated the individuals to their population. The Nei's genetic diversity analysis showed total genetic diversity (HT) of 0.2623 among the populations, genetic diversity within populations (HS) of 0.1370, and overall estimated genetic diversity (GST) of 0.4779, indicating that 47.79% of the genetic diversity was distributed among populations. Low gene flow (NM = 0.5463) was recorded indicating a limited gene exchange between populations. The results indicate the existence of three local gene pools for A. fragrantissima plants growing in the mountainous area of south Sinai but gene flow in the study area is limited due to its mountainous topography. The data reported here provide important baseline information for conservation and collection strategies for this species. Selected populations may be sampled for ex-situation protection to retain as much genetic diversity as possible.

Amelioration of Some Physical Properties of Saline Sodic Soil in El-Tina Plain- North Sinai Area

Amelioration of Some Physical Properties of Saline Sodic Soil in El-Tina Plain- North Sinai Area

Mineralogy and diagenetic impacts on chemical composition of Paleozoic mudrocks, southwestern Sinai, Egypt

BackgroundThe present study deals with mineralogy, diagenesis, and their impact on chemical composition for early Paleozoic, Cambro-Ordovician, (Adediya and Abu Hamata formations) and late Paleozoic, early Carboniferous, (El Hashash and Magharet El Maiah) mudrocks at the southwestern Sinai area. Mineralogical study reveals the presence of kaolinite and illite clay minerals.ConclusionsThe detection of kaolinite and illite clay minerals favors that the environment of formation was alkaline, and the origin of the clay minerals present is chlorite more probably than illite origin where illite can be derived from the weathering of chlorite.Diagenetic study reveals that kaolinite can be neo-formed, transformed at high rainfall and a temperate climate which can transform muscovite and biotite into kaolinite together with some illite.Chemical composition study, abundance, behavior, and distribution of major and trace components reveals that the studied mudrocks seem to be formed under reducing alkaline environment.

IMPACT OF HIKING TRAIL DISTURBANCE ON ANTS` DIVERSITY AT MOUNT SINAI, ST. KATHERINE PROTECTORATE, EGYPT

Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP) is one of the most important regions for biodiversity in Egypt. Tourism and its associated activities has become the main economic driver in SKP which might have negative impacts on biodiversity. Ants are effective biological indicators, since ant species diversity correlates with the assembly of other invertebrate fauna of particular habitats. The current study aimed at assessing the impact of some anthropogenic activities along the touristic hiking trail passing through Mount Sinai area on ants` diversity. A total of 583 individuals belonging to nine ant species, three subfamilies, from (Family: Formicidae; Order: Hymenoptera) were recorded within the study localities in Mount Sinai. Our study showed that the hiking trail disturbance had a negative environmental impact on the species richness and abundance of ants within the study localities in Mount Sinai. Based on our results it is advisable to move the hiking trails to slopes of Mount Sinai away from its current location within the basins (farshs). More studies are needed to assess the impact of hiking trails and associated human activities on other biodiversity elements in SKP

Analysis of Hydro-Morphometric of Flash Flood Hazard Map of Wadi Gharandal Basin, Southwestern Sinai Area, Egypt, Using GIS and RS

The main object of the present study is to assess and produce flash flood hazard map to Wadi Gharandal based on the morphometric analysis with the aid of the techniques Remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) ASTER DEM data are used to extract the stream network to assess the morphometric parametric and to make risk zone map of the study area. (GIS) and (RS) have been utilized for the morphometric analysis of wadi Gharandal basin southwestern Sinai, Egypt. Several morphometric parameters have been computed and analyzed, such as, circularity ratio, elongation ratio, form factor ratio, stream frequency and bifurcation ratio. Impacts of morphometric parameters on flash flood characteristics have been also investigated. Wadi Gharandal is divided into eighteen relatively large sub-basin, nine of them have high susceptibility for flooding, six have medium susceptibility and about three have low susceptibility for flooding.

Hydrometeorological hazards assessment of some basins in Southwestern Sinai area, Egypt

The assessment of hydrometeorological hazards in the mountainous area of Southwestern Sinai area (SWSA) necessitates reliable and accurate information about natural hazards, especially flash floods. Flash floods are the main dangerous hazards that threaten lives and any sustainable development planning in and around the rugged topography areas. The SWSA receives occasional heavy rainstorms every two or four years, triggering destructive floods that runoff towards the Gulf of Suez. The present study aims to extract, evaluate, integrate and map the potential flash flood hazards by applying remote sensing, GIS tools and by statistically analyzing the geomorphometric parameters. Moreover, assessing the flash flood hazard risk ranks was carried for the three main basins (W. Baba, W. Sidri, and W. Nukhul). The drainage networks and basins were extracted from DEM then, delineated into seventy-two sub-basins and then the morphometric parameters of these sub-basins were estimated. The analysis of the various morphometric parameters of the three main basins shows that they have different effects on flash flood hazards. Depending on the statistical analysis of the commutative weights of the important geomorphometric parameters and GIS functions; the studied basins were categorized into three risk ranks; namely: high, moderate and low flash flood risk. The integration of the different controlling parameters revealed that the zones of high flash flood hazard risk are characterized by the low probability of groundwater recharge which should be put into consideration to help the decision makers avoid risks which are considered to be one of the most dangerous obstacles to the sustainable development of the study area.