Northwestern Coast Of Egypt Research Articles

Evaluation of the ecological risks on green macro-algae spp. (Ulva fusciata) at the north western coast of Egypt, using neutron activation technique

The study used the radio-analytical technique (Neutron Activation Analysis), besides the other advanced chemical technique, which was inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), in order to evaluate the bioaccumulation factor (BF), of different trace elements inside the collected green macro algal samples. The results showed that BF results were based on the algal selectivity of each analyzed trace element. The study recommended the using of Ulva fasciata, as a bio-filter of nuclear cooling water system (mitigation tool), due to its selective absorption ability for certain trace elements such as; Th, Cs &Sr.

The use of GIS in the exploitation of rainwater running in the region from Fouka to Ras Alam al-Rum in the northwestern coast of Egypt

The use of GIS in the exploitation of rainwater running in the region from Fouka to Ras Alam al-Rum in the northwestern coast of Egypt

Assessing Soil Quality, Wheat Crop Yield, and Water Productivity under Condition of Deficit Irrigation.

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in Egypt and all over the world. Its productivity is adversely affected by drought due to deficient irrigation to provide nutrients required for plant growth. In a field experiment, silicon foliar applications at concentrations of 0, 200, and 400 mg L-1 were performed at different irrigation rates ranging from 1000 to 4000 m3 ha-1 to assess water irrigation productivity and wheat crop yield in a calcareous soil under arid climate conditions. Increased irrigation rates led to a significant increase in soil nutrient dynamics, as well as in the number and weight of grains per spike, leaf area index, grain yield, straw yield, and biological yield, with the exception of the weight of 1000 grains. Spraying with sodium silicate had a significant impact on grain yield and harvest index but did not significantly impact the other traits. Furthermore, the interaction between irrigation and silicate application rates showed significance only for grain yield, the number of spikes/m2, and the harvest index. Applying three times irrigation could produce the highest nutrient retention, wheat yield, and water irrigation productivity. No significance was observed between 3000 m3 ha-1 and 4000 m3 ha-1 irrigation, indicating a saving of 25% of applied irrigation water. It can be concluded that applying irrigation at 3000 m3 ha-1 could be a supplemental irrigation strategy. High wheat grain yield can be achieved under deficit irrigation (3000 m3 ha-1) on the northwestern coast of Egypt with an arid climate by spraying crops with sodium silicate at a rate of 400 mg L-1.

Field and Economic Evaluation of Barley Productivity as Affected by Seed Rates and Slow-release Nitrogen Fertilizer Levels under Rainfed Conditions

A field experiment was conducted at the north western coast of Egypt under rainfed conditions to study the effects of seed rates (70, 95 and 120 kg ha-1) and nitrogen fertilizer treatments (0, 35, 70 and 105 kg N ha-1) of Ensiabeen-40% N as slow-release fertilizer compared with 105 kg N ha-1 as Ammonium nitrate (33.5%N) on productivity of barley cultivar Giza134. This investigation was conducted during 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 winter growing seasons. The treatments were laid out in a split plot design, with three replications. Plant height, spike length, number of grins spike-1, number of spikes per m2, 1000 grain weight, biological and grain yield were recorded. In addition, total income and net return (LE)/hactare were calculated. The results indicated that mean squares due to seasons, seed rates, nitrogen levels and their interactions were significant for most studied traits. Mean performance of the studied traits as affected by seasons, seed rates and nitrogen levels showed that, the most desirable values were obtained by SR1 for spike length (6.13cm), number of grains spike-1 (48.78 grain) and 1000 grain weight (42.15g), from SR2 for Biological yield (6.02 ton ha-1) and grain yield (1.85 ton ha-1) and from SR3 for plant height (78.28cm) and number of spikes m-2 (180.11 spike). For nitrogen level effects, N4 recorded the most favorable values for all studied traits; plant height (81.48cm), spike length (6.33cm), number of grains spike-1 (49.99 grain), number of spikes m-2 (187.60 spike), Biological yield (6.88 ton ha-1), grain yield (2.12 ton ha-1) and 1000 grain weight (42.89g). Grain yield exhibited highly significant and positive correlation with each of plant height (r= 0.833**), spike length(r=0.621**), number of grains spike-1 (r=0.768**), number of spikes m-2(r=0.880**) and weight of 1000 grains (r= 0.661**). The most contributing variable in the total variation of grain yield were number of spikes m-2, number of grains spike-1 and spike length. These variables contributed by 92.9% in the grain yield variation. The results also indicated that, the highest values in the total income were 19149 and 24990 pound.hec-1 respectively, and net return were 9492 and 15498 pound.hec-1 obtained from the interaction between seed rate of 5kg ha-1 (SR2) and 105 unit of slow release fertilizer (N4) during the two growing seasons. It could recommend this treatment to maximize the total income for the farmers in such location.

Naturalization and invasion potential of Sesuvium portulacastrum L. recorded as alien species in Egypt

Sesuvium portulacastrum is a perennial halophyte of family Aizoaceae, non-native to Egypt, which was introduced from France ten years ago as an ornamental species. This study reports the detection of S. portulacastrum in the wild in Egypt. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Herbarium of Alexandria University (ALEX). A population of the species was recorded in the wild near Maruit Lake in the north-western coast of Egypt in 2018 during plant resources surveys of the region. The study aimed to assess the potential for S. portulacastrum to spread as an alien species through field observations and geospatial measurements under current conditions in its new habitat. The measured morphological parameters were higher than those recorded in its native habitats. The field observation for three years revealed that the species is proliferating and expanding in the investigated site forming large mats of mean size of up to 9 m2. The spatial extent of S. portulacastrum based on the EOO and AOO was quantified, and the expansion rate was estimated at 0.16 ha/year in the investigated site. The geospatial parameter used in the study will not only help in determining the spread rate of the alien species spatially and temporally, but also in its effective management through guiding managers in developing monitoring plans for the species under the changing climate uncertainty. Continuous monitoring and early detection of any potential threats of the introduced species are highly recommended, to avert any potential adverse impacts on native biodiversity and assess its behaviour in the wild habitat.

Geophysical and hydrochemical analysis of saltwater intrusion in El-Omayed, Egypt: Implications for sustainable groundwater management

This study investigates groundwater resources in the El-Omayed area on the northwestern coast of Egypt. The aim is to assess the extent and severity of saltwater intrusion in the shallow aquifer system, as well as its potential impacts on groundwater resources. A combined geophysical and hydrochemical approach was adopted in this investigation. Across the study area, 32 vertical electrical soundings were conducted, along with two electrical resistivity tomography profiles. Sixteen water samples were collected, and then chemically analyzed to evaluate water quality, seawater intrusion, and source of salinity. The results of geophysical interpretation revealed the existence of a thin, shallow freshwater-bearing layer (42–95 Ω.m), predominantly situated in the central parts of the area, followed by saltwater saturated layers of (0.9–2.1 Ω.m) affected by the Mediterranean Sea invasion. The eastern portion of the aquifer also recorded a relatively high seawater intrusion. As evidenced by the actual data gathered from drilled wells, the study area can be divided into three distinct zones: fresh, brackish, and saltwater zones. The study identified the most suitable sites to establish new groundwater wells, in addition to identifying the source of salinity through the investigation of the geochemical properties of water samples.

Sorption and transport characteristics of europium on sandy soils

Radioactive europium can be released as a fission product during nuclear incidents and pose a threat to the human and surrounding environment because of its biological activity and long decay half-lives. For safe design issues and human health protection demands in construction of the planned nuclear power plants (NPPs) at Al-Dabaa site, it is necessary to study the sorption and transport of different radionuclides as europium within the selected area for predicting their fate at any crisis. Many soil samples were collected from different locations at the area selected along the northwestern coast of Egypt. The samples were transported to the laboratory, preserved, and characterized using X-Ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR), and X-Ray diffraction (XRD). Experiments were performed to study the sorption and transport kinetics of Eu(III) ions on two sandy soil samples from the collected ones. The effect of different parameters (e.g. contact time, pH, initial europium concentration, and temperature) on the sorption behavior europium was explored in a static condition. The maximum sorption capacity was determined and found to be 3.4 and 7.0 mg g−1 for sorption of Eu(III) ions onto soil-1 and soil-2, respectively. Different models were applied to assess the sorption of europium onto the surface of the investigated soils. Data confirmed that Eu retention was attained through a chemisorption process. Further, the thermodynamic parameters were determined and their values confirmed the endothermic nature of the sorption process. The transport of europium radionuclides, with groundwater, through homogeneous porous media with uniform one-dimensional flow in the geosphere was processed and the relative migration velocity was determined in presence of both distilled and seawater media. The transport of Eu(III) radionuclides was higher in presence of seawater than that in presence of distilled water by about two order of magnitude. This obviously clarified the effect of seawater in accelerating the transport of radionuclides with groundwater in the geosphere of studied area. The role of different competing ions have various valances on the relative migration velocity was explored. Further, the time required for studied radionuclides to reach Mediterranean Sea was determined.

Groundwater Investigation Using Electrical Resistivity Method at New Borg El-Arab City, Alexandria, Egypt

New Borg El-Arab is a city located on the northwestern coast of Egypt, where the increasing anthropogenic activities have led to an increase in water demand. Groundwater is the main source of water in this area, but it is seriously affected by the Mediterranean saltwater intrusion. This causes a substantial impact on the water quality of the coastal aquifer. In this study, the electrical resistivity method was applied to delineate the shallow groundwater aquifer and its quality. Twenty vertical electrical soundings (VES) distributed along 6 profiles were measured. To observe the seasonal groundwater variations, 14 VES points were measured at the end of the rainy season, while the measurements of 6 VES points were repeated at the end of the dry season. The results revealed 4 geoelectrical layers; the first layer is a surface dry zone with variable resistivity values, followed by a water-bearing layer; while the third is a limestone layer, followed by a clay deposits zone. In comparison to the winter season, the water-bearing layer records lower resistivity values at the end of summer. Optimal locations to drill new groundwater wells have also been determined with a depth varying from 1.8 m north to about 30 m south.

Delineation of Salinization and Recharge Sources Affecting Groundwater Quality Using Chemical and Isotopic Indices in the Northwest Coast, Egypt

Salinization of coastal aquifers is a serious issue affected by climate change and enhanced by overexploitation of groundwater resources. This research aims to explore the hydrogeochemical processes that cause salinization of groundwater in coastal aquifers, such as the area located between Barrani and Baqbaq, on the northwestern coast of Egypt. Various techniques were applied, including Gibbs plots and hydrochemical facies diagrams (HFE-D), ion ratios and stable isotope bivariate plots, statistical analyses, a groundwater quality index for seawater intrusion (GQISWI), and a seawater mixing index (SMI). Based on the total dissolved solids (TDS), groundwater can be classified into four groups: slightly saline (9%), moderately saline (45%), highly saline (43%), and salty water (3%). The geochemical properties were further catergorized on the basis of other parameters and ion ratios, such as Caexcess, Nadeficit, Na/Cl, Cl/HCO3, and Br/Cl, which suggest the influence of cation exchange, seawater, and marine sediment dissolution. Additionally, stable isotopes indicated two groups. One of these has relatively high salinity and low isotopic content and is affected by the leaching and dissolution of marine deposits. The other group is enriched in δ18O and δD content, with much higher salinity due to mixing with seawater and evaporation. The GQISWI categorizes groundwater as saline and mixed (55 and 41%, respectively), followed by saltwater (4%), whereas the SMI calculations indicate that about 10% of the groundwater samples are impacted by seawater. Finally, the areal distribution of GQISWI and SMI identified some patches along the coastline as well as other inland places located about 12.5 km away from the sea that have undergone saltwater intrusion. In conclusion, overexploitation of groundwater should be avoided because the amount of annual rainfall is very limited.

Hydropedological Assessment of Wadi El-Raml at the Northwestern Coast of Egypt

Assessing the soil hydropedological processes play a significant role for watershed management. Many watershed models can be used for such processes. Wadi El Raml is one of the main wadis extended from Fuka to Libyan-Egyptian border in the Northwestern Coast of Egypt (NWCE). The main problem in this area is that most of rainfall water with sediments runs off to the Mediterranean Sea which makes it a challenge to save soil and water. Hydropedological study were utilized to estimate the surface runoff, infiltration, and sediment yields based on multiple integrated data such as soil, landuse/landcover, rainfall in the environment of KINEROS2 model. This study delineated 4 soil units and 7 classes of landuse/landcover as input data of KINEROS2 in addition a rainfall event of about 25 mm over 2 days. The obtained results showed that about 16.16% (431,229.6 m3) of precipitated rainfall (2,668,500 m3) flowed as surface runoff. For benefiting from this flowing water, this study recommended 128 points for constructing cisterns and/or reservoirs and 400 cement dykes as water harvesting locations for domestic and agricultural uses, respectively.

Impact of Conservation Agriculture System on Combating Water Erosion Hazards at Wadi El-Raml, Northwestern Coast of Egypt

Conservation agriculture practices (CA) is a management for available organic matter resources and considered important measures to enable farming in accordance with the principles of sustainable agriculture. The two-years experiment were performed on the soil under wheat crop. CA practices can help to decrease the area and duration for exposed soil to water erosion by increased soil aggregate size distribution, soil porosity, soil moisture and soil organic matter. Soil organic matter (SOM) is an important indicator of soil fertility and productivity because of its crucial role in soil chemical, physical and biological properties. CA leaves a soil organic mulch at the soil surface, which decreases runoff and soil loss. On other hand, soil mulch with plant residue as a component of CA is increased soil content of SOM. The least total cost for cultivation wheat crops under rainfed agriculture of Egypt achieved at conservation agriculture with No-tillage treatment (CANT) while the highest cost achieved at traditional agriculture (TA) treatment. The best results of decreased soil loss, increased SOM and wheat crop yield obtained when continue to apply conservation practices for more than one season. Indeed, our results showed the soil loss decreased about (56%) while wheat grain yield and SOM increased about (7% and 45%) respectively when using CA at the second season compared to TA. Conservation agriculture signifies environmentally friendly technologies reduce of climate related risks.

Assessment of Watersheds Vulnerability to Flood Risks Along North Western Coast of Egypt Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Assessment of Watersheds Vulnerability to Flood Risks Along North Western Coast of Egypt Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

The Economic Impacts of Drought Mitigation Mechanisms in the Northwestern Coast of Egypt

The Economic Impacts of Drought Mitigation Mechanisms in the Northwestern Coast of Egypt

Bread Wheat Productivity in Response to Humic Acid Supply and Supplementary Irrigation Mode in Three Northwestern Coastal Sites of Egypt

Drought stress is a major factor limiting wheat crop production worldwide. The application of humic acid (HA) and the selection of the appropriate genotype in the suitable site is one of the most important methods of tolerance of wheat plants to drought-stress conditions. The aim of this study was achieved using a three-way ANOVA, the stress tolerance index (STI), the Pearson correlation coefficient (rp), and principal component analysis (PCA). Three field experiments in three sites (Al-Qasr, El-Neguilla, and Abo Kwela) during the 2019/21 and 2020/21 seasons were conducted, entailing one Egyptian bread wheat variety (Sakha 94) with three HA rates (0, 30, and 60 kg ha−1) under normal and drought-stress conditions (supplemental irrigation). According to the ANOVA, the sites, supplemental irrigation, HA rates, and their first- and second-order interactions the grain yield and most traits evaluated (p ≤ 0.05 or 0.01) were significantly influenced in both seasons. Drought stress drastically reduced all traits registered in all factors studied compared with normal conditions. The wheat plants at the Al-Qasr site in both seasons showed significantly increased grain yield and most traits compared with that of the other sites under normal and drought-stress conditions. HA significantly promoted all studied traits under drought stress, and was highest when applying 60 kg HA ha−1, regardless of the site. The greatest grain yield and most traits monitored were observed in wheat plants fertilized with 60 kg HA ha−1 at the Al-Qasr site in both seasons under both conditions. Grain yield significantly (p ≤ 0.05 or 0.01) correlated with water and precipitation use efficiency as well as the most studied traits under normal and drought-stress conditions. The results of STI, rp, and PCA from the current study could be useful and could be used as a suitable method for studying drought-tolerance mechanisms to improve wheat productivity. Based on the results of statistical methods used in this study, we recommend the application of 60 kg HA ha−1 to improve wheat productivity under drought conditions along the north-western coast of Egypt.

Geomatics and smart tools in Digital Land Resources Mapping and Sustainability of Coastal Agriculture, Egypt

The northwestern coast of Egypt is characterized by an international interest due to its history and magnificent environment. The area was known as being the bread basket during the Greek and Roman periods. Recently, drastic changes in land use resulting in destructing many of water harvesting tools, thus diminution of the agriculture importance. Restoration of the area and planning self-sufficient communities needs to develop a sustainable land resources database for these regions. Multi concept of remote sensing and the Geographic Information System (GIS) permit to store, merge, and manipulate the huge amounts of thematic maps and attribute data. Sentinel satellite image 2018 scenes, covering the study area at the Egyptian northwestern coast, were acquired. ENVI software was used for image processing. A number of 53 topographic maps at scale 1:50000 were used to input GIS thematic layers relevant to land resources, using Arc_GIS 10.2 system. Field investigation was carried out to represent different soil units and collect ground control points. Chemical and physical soil properties were determined to assist soil classification. Soil map was produced including dominant geographic units and soil association. MicroLEIS system was employed to define soil suitability classes to olives, peach, wheat, beans, and sunflower crops. An intelligent module will be added to analyze the digital maps, interact the given data with learning tool (layer) to provide the decision makers with suggested solution not only information. The results showed that the soils are generally characterized by the presence of Calcic, Petrogypsic and Salic horizons. The limiting factors found in the piedmont and coastal plains are salinity, soil depth and texture. These factors decrease the suitability classes to be between S2 and S5.It can be concluded that the digital mapping of land resources using Geographic Information System (GIS) and satellite data preserve in the investment spent in soil and other thematic mapping.

Evaluating the Performance of Fertilizer Draw Solutions by Using the Modified Cellulosic Composite Forward Osmosis Membranes

This paper deals with various fertilizer influences to draw solutions to the neat CTA/CA, MA/CTA/CA, and the Al2O3/MA/CTA/CA nanocomposite (NC) modified membrane. Also, the applicability of the neat CTA/CA, MA/CTA/CA, and The Al2O3/MA/CTA/CA nanocomposite (NC) modified membrane display high water flux when it used to desalinate brine water sample collected from the brine mid-stream from Mersa Matruh area, North-Western Coast of Egypt. The salinity of the collected sample is 12760 mg/L and PH (8.5) and used as FS, and 1M from different fertilizer draw solutes (DFDS) include KCl, NH4Cl, (NH4)2SO4, and K2HPO4 used as DS. The results reveal that the flux was KCl and NH4Cl (17.8 L/m2.h) and followed by (NH4)2SO4 (17.1 L/m2.h) and K2HPO4 (16.6 L/m2.h) using the natural saline water as FS using Al2O3/MA/CTA/CA NC modified membrane. The reusability test of the synthesised Al2O3/MA/CTA/CA NC modified membrane showed good sustainability during the 1260 min continuous test. The FO application displayed a great potential to be interested in brine wastewater desalination and enhanced water source sustainability to use in agriculture fertigation.

Productivity of some barley cultivars as affected by supplemental irrigation under rainfed conditions

Barley is widely cultivated in the northern coasts of Egypt and in the newly reclaimed lands. The goal of this study was response of some naked barley cultivars with high yield potential using supplemental irrigation under rain-fed conditions at Al-Kasr area, Marsa Matrouh, North-Western Coast of Egypt. The growth, yield, and drought-tolerance indices of Giza 129, Giza 130, and Giza 131, barley cultivars were estimated under rain-fed and supplemental irrigation regimes (SI0: rainfall only; SI1: two supplementally irrigations at tillering and heading stages; SI2: three supplementally irrigations at tillering, stem elongation, and heading stages). Agronomic traits including yield components and drought indices for the studied barley cultivars were assessed. The results displayed that Giza 131 gave a higher performance in most studied characters under rain-fed and irrigation regimes. Also, it produced the highest tolerance index (TOL), yield index (YI), harmonic mean (HM), stress susceptibility percentage index (SSPI), sensitivity drought index (SDI), mean productivity (MP), and geometric mean productivity (GMP). MP was positively correlated with YSI, GMP, DI, and HM. So, Giza 131 cultivar was identified as a drought-tolerant genotype. Moreover, the drought tolerance indices of TOL, YI, HM, SSPI, SDI, MP, and GMP are suitable for screening cultivars with high yields under stressed and non-stress conditions. The correlation analysis between the studied traits of barley indicated that highly significant positive correlation was obtained between number of spikes m-2 and grain yield. So, these traits are the most important components of the estimated grain yield of naked barley

Levels of Cs-137, natural radionuclides and heavy metals in soil of Al-Negila area, Northwestern Coast of Egypt: distribution and risk assessment

ABSTRACT Radionuclides and heavy metals/metalloids content in soils and shore sediments of Al-Negila area (Matrouh, Egypt) were determined to assess the associated environmental risks. A total of 46 soil and shore sediment samples were collected and analysed for natural and man-made radionuclides (238U series, 232Th series, 40K and 137Cs) and heavy metals/metalloids (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Si, Sr, Zn, and Hg). Within the study area, the soil and shore sediments are mainly calcareous with sandy, sandy clay and silty clay sized textures. The radionuclides and metals/metalloids concentrations in the soil were higher than those in the shore sediments, meanwhile, they are within the safe world average values. The estimated average (±SD) activity concentrations of 226Ra, 228Ra, 40K and 137Cs were 20.3 ± 5.3, 17.8 ± 6.3, 353.1 ± 129.8, and 2.7 ± 2.7 Bq/kg, respectively. The activity concentration of 137Cs is characterised by the greatest variability characterising the fallout deposited radionuclides. The estimated average values of Raeq (72.9 ± 23.7 Bq/kg), air absorbed gamma dose rate (34.9 ± 11.4 nGy/h), annual effective dose (42.8 ± 14.0 µSv/y), and external hazard index (0.2 ± 0.1) are lower than the international averages reported by UNSCEAR 2008. The average concentrations (mg/kg) of heavy metals/metalloids in soil samples decrease in the following order: Mn (129.8) > Sr (95.0) > Si (28.8) > Ba (25.7) > Zn (25.1) > Cr (17.6) > B (10.0) > Ni (3.9) > Cu (3.3) > Co (0.5) > Cd (0.007) > Hg (7.0 µg/kg). According to the classes of pollution load and contamination degree indices, soils and shore sediments of Al-Negila area are generally uncontaminated. However, a few sampling sites were considered moderately contaminated with B, Cd, and Sr. The radionuclides and heavy metal/metalloid contents in the soil and shore sediments of the area should be observed and assessed regularly, especially for 137Cs.

Potentialities of soil taxa common in the landscape of valleys in the arid Mediterranean region

The study was carried out to establish soil map. Land evaluation was made according to MicroLEIS models. The study area is Naghamish valley, North Western coast of Egypt. The study indicated that the study area could be distinguished into seven landforms. Twenty-two soil profiles, spatially distributed upon Sentinel-2A satellite image classification to represent the landforms of wadi Naghamish's basin. They were morphologically described, their chemical and physical properties were determined, and their diagnostic characteristics were pointed. Results point out, in terms of topography, profile depth and soil texture, ten soil units could be identified. The study area could be distinguished into five sub great soil groups. Cervatana model reveals that 64.25% of soils are considered non-productive, 22.64% is moderately capable, whereas only 0.54% and 2.64% of the total area range from excellent to good capable land for agricultural production, respectively. The rest of the area occupying 9.94% is associated with urban settlement and escarpment landform units. At subclass level, there are S3l and S3r, referring to moderate capability with slight constraint severity and S3lr specifying those affected by severe soil constraints and erosion risk. Regarding soil suitability for some selected crops, the results of Almagra model indicated that the soils formed on the coastal plain vary from suitable to marginally suitable, in contradiction of soils formed on the wadi course, piedmont plain and tableland of plateau vary from marginally suitable to unsuitable in general for most tested crop as affected by limiting factors related to very shallow to shallow depth, high lime content, light soil texture and very poor to poor drainage.

Assessment of erosion rate in a rainfed agricultural area on the Northwestern coast of Egypt using 137Cs measurements

In the present work, the use of the fallout radionuclide 137Cs as a tracer for estimating soil redistribution rates over the past 60 years was tested in Egypt at an agricultural field with a smooth slope (0–10%) located in Ras El-Hekma on the Northwestern coast. The average annual soil erosion rate was derived from 137Cs inventories (Bq m−2) and by using the conversion Diffusion and Migration Model (DMM). The activity concentrations of 137Cs with uncertainty ranging between 7.5 and 20.9% were measured using HPGe gamma spectrometry. Approximately exponential shape for the distribution of 137Cs activity concentration was observed within the upper 20 cm of the soil profile associated with the reference site while for the study sites, the 137Cs depth distribution profiles indicate generally an increase of activity reaching a maximum peak of 137Cs usually at a depth of 10–15 cm followed by an abrupt exponential decrease of 137Cs activity concentration with depth. The measured average reference inventory for this area was 697 Bq m−2 with a coefficient of variation of 23%. This value is close to the estimated reference inventory using the conversion model, which was 744 Bq m−2. Transect sampling strategy was adopted at the study area where three parallel transects were chosen based on the common slope. The estimated average annual erosion rate for the three transects was found to be 7.5 t ha−1 y−1, and sediment delivery ratio was approximately 98%, which shows the moderate vulnerability of the Ras El-Hekma area to water erosion.