Egyptian Coastal Areas Research Articles

Chlorophyll-a Concentrations analysis During COVID-19 Lockdown Period in Northern Egyptian coastal Area of Mediterranean Sea Using Google Earth Engine

Chlorophyll-a Concentrations analysis During COVID-19 Lockdown Period in Northern Egyptian coastal Area of Mediterranean Sea Using Google Earth Engine

Conceptual Framework for Urban Development Dynamics Dealing with Geo-Environmental Coastal Hazards (On the Northern Coast of the Nile Delta in Egypt)

The Geo-Environmental Coastal Hazards (GECH) causing serious damages in many areas around the world, are among the most important hazards due to its numerous effects. The coastal areas are important attractions for populations and activities. These areas are characterized with the phenomenon of sea-level rise that varies in its rate of change at large spatial and temporal scales, so it is difficult to be predicted locally [1]. As a result, the climate changes’ hazards affect the future of urban development processes in coastal areas. Based on the foregoing, the main question of the research is whether the potential effects of hazards have been taken into account while planning the coastal areas in Egypt and their integration into the development approaches or not. Hence, the research emphasizes the concept of dynamism and flexibility of coastal planning that may be compatible with these variables, and may be positively reflected on the urban plans of coastal cities. The research methodology tackles studying, analyzing, and evaluating coastal hazards and their implications on the Egyptian development. The analytical framework discusses the international case studies dealing with hazards from a developmental point of view, to formulate a proposed dynamic framework for developing the Egyptian coastal areas, which are exposed to coastal hazards, taking into account the temporal dimension and expected geo-environmental hazards, which vary according to the Sea Level Rise (SLR) scenarios. This framework is applied in the most dangerous low areas, such as the Egyptian Delta coast, reaching the gap of lacking dynamics and flexible procedures dealing with the changeable coastal geo-environmental hazards over different time periods.

Geo-environmental monitoring of coastal and land resources of Port Said Governorate, Egypt

Port Said Governorate is one of the distinguished Egyptian coastal areas in regard to location, activities and resources. Present study aims to evaluate spatial and temporal changes in Land Use/Cover (LULC), Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Shoreline as a result of natural and anthropogenic factors using geospatial techniques. To achieve this aim, four calibrated multi-temporal Landsat images dated 1998, 2008, 2018 and 2021 integrated with field surveys were processed. Nine main LULC classes were mapped; urban, fish farms, vegetation, aquatic plants, main roads, bare land, water, canals/drains and salty areas. Developmental projects, particularly reclamation and urbanization, accelerated the increase in urban and agricultural lands during the whole period of study. Maximum rate of urban expansion was reported during the last period (2018–2021) and for agricultural lands during 2008–2018. The south eastern parts showed a continuous annual increase in the fish farms from 2.04 to 6.54 to 65.16 km2 at 1998, 2008, 2018 and 2021, respectively. Further, the last periods showed an increase in the main roads due to the construction of “30 June Road”. A small variation is observed in mean LST recording 34.2, 33.7 and 34.3, 34.2° C at 1998, 2008, 2018 and 2021, respectively. LULC can be ordered from lowest to highest LST as following; water (27.1 °C), aquatic plants (28.1 °C), fish farms (30.6 °C), vegetation (31.9 °C), canals and drains (33.8 °C), urban (36.45 °C), salty areas (36.6 °C), main roads (37.20 °C) and bare land (39.40 °C). The total eroded area along Port Said shoreline (5 km2) exceeds the total accreted areas (2.8 km2). Maximum erosion and accretion were observed at the eastern sector recording 2.61 and 1.29 km2, respectively. Fortunately, no intensive urban and agricultural areas are located in this sector which minimizes the probable adverse impact.

Human Health Risk via Cadmium Concentration in Different Tissues of Domesticated Japanese Quail (Coturnix japonica) and Wild Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix)

Quail hunting is a major socioeconomic practice in Egyptian coastal areas. The accumulation of cadmium in feathers (chest and tail), muscle, kidneys and livers were analyzed and compared in both wild migratory and domesticated Japanese quails using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Domesticated Japanese quail recorded higher concentrations of cadmium than the wild one. Cadmium concentration was higher in kidneys and livers than that in the pectoral muscle and feathers. To assess potential risk to human health, daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotient (THQ) were calculated. The EDI in all tissues was within the permissible tolerable daily intake (PTDI) limit except for kidney values in domesticated species. THQ of all tested organs was less than one, indicating that harmful impacts are not expected. People should avoid eating kidneys and livers of quail in their diets but can safely feed on muscles as they accumulate low percentage of the toxic cadmium.

Numerical modeling of seawater intrusion in karstic aquifer, Northwestern Coast of Egypt

The growing population and increasing of the urbanization activities at the Egyptian coastal areas create a great demand on groundwater. El Negila which is located on the Northwestern coast of Egypt is of great environmental, economic, and social importance, so the sustainable management and preservation of the groundwater quantity and quality is imperative. Such task can be addressed through modeling tools that take into account both the human impacts and the effects of climate changes on the hydrogeological system. A variable-density flow model (SEAWAT) had been used to investigate the extent of the seawater intrusion the study area, and to introduce an effective management policy for sustainable development of the groundwater system. An attempt had been made for model calibration; based on adjusting the hydraulic head of the hydrogeological system with respect to the lineaments frequency in the study area. The calibrated numerical model showed the limited extent of the seawater intrusion in the study area under current recharge and abstraction conditions, in addition to that, the model was validated using hydrochemical and stable isotopic data. The aquifer response to different stressing pumping scenario has been tested and predicted up to the year 2022. Furthermore, the impact of rising the seawater level as a result of rapid climatic change was assessed, with pumping stress of the second scenario. It was concluded that the tableland area acts as recharge source and providing an opportunity of recharging the karstic aquifer in the study area especially through the lineaments. The extent of seawater intrusion in the study area for the karstic aquifer is limited, and would increase under the induced activities of pumping as well as seawater rise conditions. A range of withdrawal rate from the study area was recommended to avoid more invasions from seawater.

Polycyclic Aromatic and Aliphatic Hydrocarbons in two Egyptian Coastal Areas along the Mediterranean Sea

Polycyclic Aromatic and Aliphatic Hydrocarbons in two Egyptian Coastal Areas along the Mediterranean Sea Polycyclic aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were detected and quantified in marine sediments and Siganus rivulatus fish species collected from polluted region (El-Mex Bay) and control region (Marsa Matrouh) along the Egyptian coast of the Mediterranean Sea. The concentrations range of total hydrocarbons in sediment samples collected from Matrouh coast was 409.24-521.26 ng/g, dry weight, whereas this range in sediment samples collected from El- Mex Bay was 4159.774589.81 ng/g, dry weight. In the present study the total aliphatic hydrocarbon concentrations varied from 163.88 to 209.8 ng/g dry weight in Matrouh coast area (control area) but its range in El-Mex Bay area (test area) was 1478.04-1637.72 ng/g dry weight. The statistical analysis cleared out that the concentration of total hydrocarbons in sediments collected from El- Mex Bay was 9.5 fold more than those of Matrouh coast revealing more pollution by hydrocarbons in El-Mex Bay sediments compared to Matrouh area. The ratio of phe/anth was less than 10 in sediments of both areas, suggesting that their PAHs were pyrolytic-derived. All samples from Matrouh area gave flu/pyr ratio greater than 1 indicating to a pyrolytic origin of PAHs in this area. On contrast, sediments of El-Mex Bay area gave flu/ pyr ratio less than 1 indicating a petrogenic origin of PAHs.0020. In Siganusrivulatus fish samples the concentrations range of aromatic and aliphatic fractions of hydrocarbons collected from Matrouh coast was 104.72-219.18 ng/g, dry weight, whereas, this range from El- Mex Bay was 2239.52-3532.11 ng/g, dry weight. The statistical analysis of total hydrocarbons in fish muscles revealed very high significantly difference between the two areas as the concentrations in fish muscles collected from El- Mex Bay was 16 fold more than those collected from Matrouh coast. Some samples of Matrouh had pr/ph ratio greater than 1 and other samples have undetected phytane indicating that most PAHs of Matrouh area get from zooplankton, while El-Mex Bay showed that pristine and phytane were present in all samples indicating the petroleum origin of PAHs. Some samples from Matrouh coast had Pr/Ph ratio greater than 1 and another samples have undetected phytane indicatng that most PAHs of this area get from zooplankton, while El-Mex Bay showed that pristine and phytane were present in all samples indicating the petroleum origin.

Theoretical Analysis of Wind Turbine Generator for Enhancing Efficiency of an Autonomous Solar Desalination Unit

This work was motivated by the increasing awareness of the need for enhancing water supplies schemes in arid and coastal areas featuring an appropriate technology for wind energy use. The development of this technology at small scale might be the most economical solution for providing potable water to remote and coastal communities where the electric grid and the proper infrastructure are lacking. The present article analyzes theoretically a wind turbine generator to improve the efficiency of an autonomous desalination unit. Three climatic zones in coastal Egypt—Mediterranean Sea coast and the Red Sea coast have been evaluated and the acoustic noise analysis and calculation from the proposed wind turbine are presented. The mechanical coupling of wind turbine and helical shaft to break the boundary layer of the basin water surface and, therefore, to enhance the performance of the solar desalination system is studied. The analytical assessment reveals that the Egyptian coastal areas are ideally suited for harvesting wind energy for regional economic development. Results show that Hurghada and Mersa-Matruh areas have a considerable wind energy potential that could be used for improving the distillation process.

Characterizing Water, Sediment, Nutrients, and Contaminant Fluxes in Coastal Egypt: Marine Constituent Dynamics in Coastal Egypt; Alexandria, Egypt, 20 November 2009

The Egyptian coastal area is a highly dynamic region in which materials (water, sediment, nutrients, and contaminants) are transported from various sources to the Mediterranean and Red seas. At a workshop in Egypt, U.S. and Egyptian scientists discussed these largely unquantified processes and how they interact to drive coastal ecology. A major goal of the workshop was to identify the most pressing research priorities for the region for both scientific and management purposes. The workshop concluded by recommending that international multidisciplinary efforts be undertaken to characterize water, nutrient, sediment, and contaminant delivery fluxes and mechanisms to coastal regions of the Nile Delta.The Nile River is thought to be the most significant source of sediments to coastal Egypt, but as workshop participants discussed, the Aswan High Dam and water diversion practices have essentially shut off the sediment supply to the delta. This change has initiated massive erosion that is now threatening arable land and infrastructure. A workshop conclusion recommends that future studies focus on understanding sediment transport and mobility throughout the delta and also on predicting sea level rise rates for the region to better forecast the extent of future land loss.

Water strategies and technological development in Egyptian coastal areas

The availability of fresh water and energy is the key factor in the planning of many countries' development, particularly those of large over-populated and areas. Potable water supply shortage and recent technological development have led to wider application of conventional, and yet advanced saline/brackish water desalination plants. The growing potable water demand in suburban and tourist Red Sea and Sinai resorts had prompted an organized national plan of implementation of desalination technologies [1]. The present work continues a series of activities to analyze the status quo of water demand in Egypt, and reviews the current research activities to establish the appropriate technology for adaptation, local manufacturing experiences, successes, unit size, process and economics. Water demand in a vastly growing and developing Egyptian community was analyzed as characterized by a rising standard of living, expansion of industrialization in mining and petroleum sectors and the vast expansion of tourist development [2]. With the still limited resources to support the infrastructure, the problem is acute. Khalil et al. [3] emphasized the importance of establishing a water master plan techno-economic assessment of the desalting process. The present work reviews the status quo in terms of water demand, availability, strategies, energy demand and new development in small and medium sized locally manufactured units. Assessment of some of the locally manufactured units currently in operation will be detailed and their economical viability investigated. The advantages and limitations, based on techno-economic and energy concepts of the application of different desalting processes in Egypt are outlined and discussed.

Water strategies and technological development in Egyptian coastal areas

The availability of fresh water and energy is the key factor in the planning of many countries' development, particularly those of large over-populated and areas. Potable water supply shortage and recent technological development have led to wider application of conventional, and yet advanced saline/brackish water desalination plants. The growing potable water demand in suburban and tourist Red Sea and Sinai resorts had prompted an organized national plan of implementation of desalination technologies [1]. The present work continues a series of activities to analyze the status quo of water demand in Egypt, and reviews the current research activities to establish the appropriate technology for adaptation, local manufacturing experiences, successes, unit size, process and economics. Water demand in a vastly growing and developing Egyptian community was analyzed as characterized by a rising standard of living, expansion of industrialization in mining and petroleum sectors and the vast expansion of tourist development [2]. With the still limited resources to support the infrastructure, the problem is acute. Khalil et al. [3] emphasized the importance of establishing a water master plan techno-economic assessment of the desalting process. The present work reviews the status quo in terms of water demand, availability, strategies, energy demand and new development in small and medium sized locally manufactured units. Assessment of some of the locally manufactured units currently in operation will be detailed and their economical viability investigated. The advantages and limitations, based on techno-economic and energy concepts of the application of different desalting processes in Egypt are outlined and discussed.