Sinai Coast Research Articles

Evaluation of Organic Sources and Mineral N Fertilizer on Soil Fertility and Coriander Plant (Coriandrum sativum L.) Productivity and Quality under Saline Soil

Two field experiments were carried out at Gelbana, North Sina government during successive winters 2021/2022 and 2022/ 2023 to study the evaluation of organic sources (compost, biochar, and organic farm) combined with or without mineral N different rates on soil fertility and Coriander productivity. Lies coast of Sinai, between 32o_ 350 and 32o_ 450 E and 31o_ 000 and 31o_ 250 N. Lies in the north-western Mediterranean coast of Sinai, between 32o_ 350 and 32o_ 450 E and 31o_ 000 and 31o_ 250 N. Each experiment was carried out in a split-plot design with three replicates in both seasons. Results showed that applying compost combined with or without mineral N fertilizer at different rates improved soil fertility (decreased soil pH, soil salinity, and increase of available macronutrients and micronutrient contents in soil) compared with other treatments. Also, the maximum mean values of Plant height (cm); No. of branches /plant; the weight of seeds /plant (g); the weight of seeds yield (ton/fed), fresh green leaves (ton/fed), and dry yield leaves (ton/fed) for soil treated with compost combined with mineral fertilizer different rate, while the weight of 1000 (g) seeds as affected by organic farm combined with mineral N fertilizer rate. The highest values of N, P, K, Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrations in seeds were treating with compost combined with mineral N fertilizer at a 100 kg N /fed rate than other treatments. As well as, the application of compost combined with mineral N fertilizer at different rates was an increase in protein (%), oil (%), and carbohydrate (%). chlorophyll while the proline was decrease value.

Length-Weight Relationship and Condition Factor of white grouper Epinephelus aeneus ( Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, 1817) in the Mediterranean coast of Sinai, Egypt

This study describes the first documented length-weight relationship and condition factor of the white grouper Epinephelus aeneusin on the Mediterranean coast of Sinai, Egypt. A total of 697 specimens with an average length of 34.6 cm and weight 593.0 g were monthly sampled from January 2019 to December 2020. For each specimen, length (cm) and weight (g) were measured. The length-weight relationship was described by the equation: W = a Lb, while the condition factor was calculated using the equation: K = 100 (W/ L3). Condition factor was calculated monthly and according to the length group. The values of the regression coefficients obtained for the length-weight relationship were 2.9327, 2.8847 and 3.1141 having r² values of 0.9392, 0.9438 and 0.9616 for males, females and combined sexes of the studied species, respectively. Condition factor (K) of males, females and combined sexes of E. aeneus was fluctuated monthly and related to lengths groups. It was concluded that general well-being was observed for this species, since condition factor more than 1 (K= 1.20, 1.30 and 1.20 for males; females and combined sexes, respectively). The current study's findings can be used as baseline data for this species in the examined area.

Reproductive biology of the Atlantic mackerel Scomber scombrus Linnaeus, 1758 in Mediterranean coast of Sinai, Egypt.

This work aims to investigate reproductive biology of the Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus L. 1758) to provide biological base for management of its fisheries in the Mediterranean coast of Sinai, Egypt. Monthly samples of S. scombrus were collected from the commercial catch in different landing sites of the Mediterranean coast of Sinai during 2019. The length-weight relation was found as W= 0.0116 L2.9556, W= 0.0077 L3.091 and W= 0.0094 L3.022715 for males, females and combined sexes respectively. Overall sex ratio (males: females) was 1: 1.4 during the period of study. Gonado- Somatic Index (GSI) of females showed that S. scombrus spawn during March, April and May, since GSI peaked in these months (6.5, 7.2 and 5.2 % respectively). The lowest value of GSI of females was recorded in October (0.05%). Lengths at first sexual maturity (Lm) were determined as 23.2 and 23.4 cm for males and females respectively. The absolute fecundity (F) was increasing with the fish length and described by a power equation: F = 0.0014 L5.6414. The relative fecundity gradually increased from 2481.8 to 7599.3 eggs per cm (average 4748.9 eggs / cm). To protect and maintain the stock of Atlantic mackerel in the Mediterranean coast of Sinai, it is recommended to ban using fishing nets of illegal mesh sizes and other destructive fishing methods which catch small fish sizes. Length at first capture should be larger than length at first sexual maturity (> 23.4 cm) and ban fishing nets targeting S. scombrus during its spawning season (from March to May).

Tooth oxygen isotopes reveal Late Bronze Age origin of Mediterranean fish aquaculture and trade

Past fish provenance, exploitation and trade patterns were studied by analyzing phosphate oxygen isotope compositions (δ18OPO4) of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) tooth enameloid from archaeological sites across the southern Levant, spanning the entire Holocene. We report the earliest evidence for extensive fish exploitation from the hypersaline Bardawil lagoon on Egypt’s northern Sinai coast, as indicated by distinctively high δ18OPO4 values, which became abundant in the southern Levant, both along the coast and further inland, at least from the Late Bronze Age (3,550–3,200 BP). A period of global, postglacial sea-level stabilization triggered the formation of the Bardawil lagoon, which was intensively exploited and supported a widespread fish trade. This represents the earliest roots of marine proto-aquaculture in Late Holocene coastal domains of the Mediterranean. We demonstrate the potential of large-scale δ18OPO4 analysis of fish teeth to reveal cultural phenomena in antiquity, providing unprecedented insights into past trade patterns.

Automatic detection of shoreline change: case of North Sinai coast, Egypt

This paper introduces an appropriate visualization of how to effectively digitize, quantify and predict shoreline kinematics changes. The method relies mainly on the coupling of Geographic Information System (GIS) with Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). The North Sinai coast in Egypt is selected as a case study. The proposed technique is applied over a quarter-centennial period of 27 years (1989–2016). However, the years 2025, 2035, and 2050 are used for prediction purpose. Histogram threshold of band 5, Histogram threshold of band ratio, and Tasselled Cap Transformation (TCT) are initially tempted as semi-automatic shoreline extraction techniques for Landsat ETM 2010 imagery. Among of them, the TCT is found superior as a digitizing technique that attains the least normalized root mean square errors with the corresponding field data in 2010. Meanwhile, the shoreline change rates in the form of erosion/accretion patterns are automatically quantified by four statistical parameters functioned in DSAS coding. Those, namely end point rate (EPR), net shoreline movement (NSM), linear regression rate (LRR), and least median of squares (LMS). On the basis of the LRR and EPR results, this study offers to the coastal managers a highly reliable decision-support-algorism that can dynamically assist in elaborating strategies to curtail the non-affirmative consequences due to the erosion/accretion of the shoreline.

Shoreline change detection using DSAS technique: Case of North Sinai coast, Egypt

ABSTRACTThis study focuses on the shoreline change detection along the North Sinai coast in Egypt using geographic information system and digital shoreline analysis system (DSAS) during the elapsed period from 1989 to 2016. The measurement of shoreline variation is mainly described for three zones: zone I, El-Tinah plain bay; zone II, El-Bardawil Lake; zone III, El-Arish valley. The rates of shoreline changes in the form of erosion and accretion patterns are automatically quantified by four statistical parameters functioned in DSAS namely endpoint rate, net shoreline movement, linear regression rate (LRR), and least median of squares. LRR results elucidate that the western seaside of El-Tinah plain bay has experienced an extremely dynamic feature with an average erosion rate of −8.17 m/year. The littoral drifts have been driven by eastward alongshore currents toward the east side of the bay to be accreted with an average rate of +4.28 m/year. Moreover, the shoreline has progressed west of El-Bardawil inlet (1), El-Bardawil inlet (2), and El-Arish harbor. Subsequently, the corresponding average beach growth rates are found to be +2.7, +8.5, and +6.5 m/year, respectively. In contrast, the shoreline on the down-drift side to the east has negatively retreated, and the corresponding beaches have regressed at rates of −4.5, −8.65, and −2.9 m/year, respectively.

Tintinnina (Ciliophora) and Foraminifera in plankton of hypersaline Lagoon Bardawil (Egypt): spatial and temporal variability

Lagoon Bardawil, belonging to the few hypersaline lagoons in the Mediterranean Sea, is located in the middle of the Sinai coast. Composition, distribution, and seasonal dynamics of large planktonic tintinnids and foraminifera at 12 stations in the lagoon were studied in 2009 and 2010. Fifteen species of Ciliophora (Tintinnina) and two species of Foraminifera were identified. The occurrence of different species varied greatly in the study period: two species were found in 42% to 49% of all samples, two species in 21% to 23%, 4 species in 10% to 20%, and 10 species in 1% to 5%. Only three species were found throughout the year. The average total number of all recorded protozoa varied from 2333 ind./m 3 role=presentation> 3 (spring) to 13,733 ind./m 3 role=presentation> 3 (winter): Tintinnina from 1250 ind./m 3 role=presentation> 3 (spring) to 12,867 ind./m 3 role=presentation> 3 (winter) and Foraminifera from 200 ind./m 3 role=presentation> 3 (autumn) to 1083 ind./m 3 role=presentation> 3 (spring). The distribution of total abundance of tintinnids and foraminifers in the lagoon area was close to random in summer and spring; during autumn and winter, it was aggregated. Tintinnid and foraminifera studies in Lagoon Bardawil were carried out previously (1985-2010); summarizing all data, it was found that interannual differences may be explained by stochastic causes and nondirected climate fluctuations.

Hydrochemical and multivariate analysis of groundwater quality in the northwest of Sinai, Egypt

The northwestern coast of Sinai is home to many economic activities and development programs, thus evaluation of the potentiality and vulnerability of water resources is important. The present work has been conducted on the groundwater resources of this area for describing the major features of groundwater quality and the principal factors that control salinity evolution. The major ionic content of 39 groundwater samples collected from the Quaternary aquifer shows high coefficients of variation reflecting asymmetry of aquifer recharge. The groundwater samples have been classified into four clusters (using hierarchical cluster analysis), these match the variety of total dissolvable solids, water types and ionic orders. The principal component analysis combined the ionic parameters of the studied groundwater samples into two principal components. The first represents about 56% of the whole sample variance reflecting a salinization due to evaporation, leaching, dissolution of marine salts and/or seawater intrusion. The second represents about 15.8% reflecting dilution with rain water and the El-Salam Canal. Most groundwater samples were not suitable for human consumption and about 41% are suitable for irrigation. However, all groundwater samples are suitable for cattle, about 69% and 15% are suitable for horses and poultry, respectively.

Fisheries management of round sardinella Sardinella aurita along North Sinai coast

Round sardinella [Sardinella aurita (S. aurita), Valenciennes[1]] is a species very common in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea coast as well along the African Atlantic coasts from West Sahara to Angola. In addition, this species occurs in the Black Sea and in Western Atlantic from Cap Cod to Argentina, but it is rare. Sardine is the first in its important to the Mediterranean Sea coast of Egypt. The round sardinella S. aurita are commercially exploiting in several Mediterranean countries such as Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia. In spite of the round sardinella is the most important, about 70% of total catch, in Mediterranean Sea coast of Sinai fishery, there are little information on fishery management of this species[2]. In view of the importance of the knowledge on species individual growth, it leads to determination of other parameters of its stock and eventually to a more precise resource developing. Author has thought it purposeful to conduct a study results of which might aid in a final formulation of growth characteristics, population dynamics, stock assessment and fisheries management of round sardinella belonging to the stock in question.

Hunting of migratory birds in North Sinai, Egypt

SummaryDuring autumn migration, people set trammel nets along most of the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, with migrating Common Quail Coturnix coturnix as their primary target. These nets capture large numbers of quail, but also illegally capture other birds, which are then killed. We present the results of surveys from 2008 to 2012 along these lines of nets on the coast of North Sinai, Egypt. In desert scrub, which covers most of the Sinai coast, the mean number of quail killed reached a high of 357.1 per km per day in 2012, with a grand mean over the study period of 191.9 per km per day. Trammel nets also captured 54 other bird species in 28 families. Species captured at the highest rates in desert scrub included Corncrake Crex crex, Isabelline Wheatear Oenanthe isabellina and Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla. Based on mean rates of capture from 2008 to 2012 in desert scrub and sand bar habitats, we estimate 2.0 million quail and 0.5 million birds of other species are killed annually in North Sinai during the 45 days of peak migration. In 2012, however, after the use of MP3 players to attract quail became widespread, we estimate that 3.3 million quail and 0.5 million other birds were captured. Hunters near the coast have recently begun covering shrubs and trees with mist nets to catch passerines. From 2010 to 2012, mist nets along our survey routes caught birds of 17 species in three families, with seven of these species caught only in this type of net. Hunting is likely to be a contributing factor to population declines for some species that migrate across Egypt and further studies of migratory bird hunting along the southern Mediterranean shore are badly needed.

Control of Late Holocene Geo-processes on the sustainable development plans of the Tineh Plain, NW Sinai coast, Egypt

The Tineh Plain NW Sinai coast has been the subjected of several studies related to its stratigraphy, geoarchaeology, and sustainable development. Recently, the name of the Tineh Plain has emerged following the government of Egypt’s decision to establish a new economic project to develop the Suez Canal Sector (Suez Canal Corridor Mega Project). Landsat and SPOT satellite images acquired for years 1984, 2000, 2006, 2008 and 2010 to detect temporal changes coupled with field relations, verification, sampling, analyzing and photographing were conducted. Change detection of LU/LC show six classes; the beach, the wetland (El-Mallaha lagoon), Sabkhas or salt marshes, urban, agriculture, and fish breeding farms. In 1984, the beach (4.2 km2), El-Mallaha lagoon (26.4 km2), sabkhas or salt marches (236.7 km2) were reduced due to expansion of agriculture (120.3 km2), fish breeding farms (35.7 km2) and controlled by sediment characteristic (salinity and grain size). Accordingly, fish farms grow northward of the Tineh Plain while reclamation and cultivation extends southward. Such activities may threaten the archaeological sits at Tell El-Farama (The City of Pelusium). Three geomorphic units detected, these are the beach, the strand plain, and the deltaic plain. The beach is flat with concavo (accreted) - convex (eroded) shoreline. The strand plain made of accreted beach ridges of very low bundles, set at slight mutual angles, which sometimes truncate one another. The deltaic plain surface composed of intercalations of sand and mud of shoreface, mouth bar, and distributary channel fill. The accreted ridges representing four paleoshorelines related to Late Holocene and dated back to 400–500BP, 1100–1200BP, 1400–1500BP, and 1700–1900BP, those record the Late Holocene history (sea level, floods, and tectonics) of the Tineh Plain. The study area is waiting a plan of sustainable development, it represents phase “A” East Port Said of the Suez Canal Corridor Mega Project. This study raise the alarm of constructing heavy industries and other logistics related to shipping on the fragile environments of the Tineh Plain. This is in fact due to active tectonism, and sediment characteristics. The activities related to agriculture, fish breeding, and salts and food industries are recommended in the framework of sustainable development. It is important to include the Suez Canal Corridor Project a plan to save the ruins of fortifications of Tineh Plain. These are not only Egyptian heritage but also a world one record the history from the Persian invasions of Egypt about 6th or 7th Century B.C., through the Byzantines in 859–860, the Greeks in 954–955, the Arabic Conquest, and the Crusaders in the 12th Century. A cooperation and support from the international organization such as UNESCO should be conducted.

Distribution and status of sea turtle nesting and mortality along the North Sinai coast, Egypt (Reptilia: Cheloniidae)

We assessed in 2012 the distribution of Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and Green (Chelonia mydas) Turtle nesting sites and mortality along North Sinai, Egypt, the most important nesting area along Egypt's Mediterranean coast, and compared the results with those from a survey carried out in 1998. We observed a similar number of Loggerhead (N=66) and Green Turtles nests (N=7) as recorded in 1998 (Logger- head N=67, Green Turtle N=7). We confirmed successful nesting for 47 Loggerhead and five Green Turtle nests, with a high nesting success (>90% for both species). We found 68 dead Loggerhead Turtles, which is a significant increase compared to 1998, when only 16 individuals were found. The numbers of dead Green Turtles increased from five in 1998 to 9 in 2012. Despite the similar number of sea turtle nests in 1998 and 2012, the large increase in mortality of sea turtles is very concerning.

Reclaiming Saline-Sodic Soils Using Electrochemical Processes: A Case Study From Sahl El-Tina Plain, Egypt

AbstractA leaching experiment was conducted using column techniques assessing efficiency of electrochemical process to reclaim saline-sodic soils. Soil material was collected from Sahl El-Tina plain, which located in North West coast of Sinai, Egypt. The experiment was designed as factorial randomized complete block and all treatments were replicated three times. Two 2.5 cm diameterx30 cm height mild stainless steel tubes were inserted into the soil matrix to serve as electrodes (i.e. cathode and anode). Distance between cathode and anode was 10 cm. Electrodes were supplied by a direct current (DC) power supply; Volt ages of 0.3 or 9 Volt. Leaching was done using the intermittent method so as to add portions to the already saturated soil columns, and obtain leachates equal to the added portions. Pore volume 0.1 PV was used in the leaching processes which are equal 498.4 cm3, i.e. PV being volume of pores per column, thus 1 PV equals volume of pores (cm3) expressed as water quantity. Electric remediation increased ionic mobility and separated salts from soil. All treatments decreased soil EC and soil sodicity expressed as SAR and ESP. Results showed that 9 Volt treatment was more effective in decreasing the soil EC and soil sodicity than the other treatments. Efficiency of treatments were 9-Volt > 3-Volt > leaching alone (non-DC treatment). This study suggests that leaching using direct current (DC) led to improvement of the chemical properties of saline sodic soils and required a short time to reclaim saline-sodic soils compared with leaching alone.

Vulnerability risk assessment and adaptation to climate change induced sea level rise along the Mediterranean coast of Egypt

Consequence of the sea level rise (SLR) on the Mediterranean coastal areas in Egypt, particularly the Nile River Delta, has become an issue of major concern to Egypt’s population and the government. Previous publications disregard the entire Mediterranean coast of Egypt as an integral unit subject to the impacts of the SLR. This study aims to analyzing the risks, ranking the vulnerability and suggesting adaptation measures to mitigate the impact of the SLR along the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. Although the prominent features of Egypt’s Mediterranean coastal zone are the low lying coast of the Nile Delta, associated with land subsidence, tectonic activities and erosion; the contiguous coastal sectors are backed by shore-parallel carbonate ridges and Plateau (the western coast) and sand dune belts (Sinai coast). The coastal zone is ranked as high, moderate, and low vulnerable to the SLR. The social and biophysical vulnerabilities demonstrate the asymmetrical impacts of the SLR on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. Areas at risk in the Alexandria region are Mandara and El Tarh whereas in the Nile Delta region, they are the Manzala Lagoon barrier, east and west of the Rosetta City, Gamil, and the Tineh plain. Risk associated with these impacts may be reduced provided the consideration of immediate and adequate adaptation measures.

Potential of natural gamma-ray spectrometry for mapping and environmental monitoring of black-sandbeach deposits on the Northern coast of Sinai, Egypt

The concentrations and distributions of naturally occurring radioactive materials were studied with the aim of detecting and mapping radioactive anomalies as well as monitoring the environment for black-sand beach deposits in Northern Sinai, Egypt. For this purpose, ground gamma-ray spectrometric surveys were conducted using a portable GS-512 spectrometer, with an NaI (Tl) detector, on an area 77.5 km(2) in surface area located between the cities of Rafah and Elareish on the Mediterranean Sea coast. The results revealed that the black-sand beach deposits could be differentiated according to their total-count (TC) radioactivity into five normally distributed interpreted radiometric lithologic (IRL) units denoted by U1, U2, U3, U4 and U5. The computed characteristic TC radiometric statistics of these five IRL units range from 4.67 to 9.96 Ur for their individual arithmetic means. The computed arithmetic means for the three radioelements K, eU and eTh reach 0.46 %, 2.25 and 6.17 ppm, respectively for the whole study area. Monitoring the environmental effects of radioelement concentrations on the study area showed that the mean natural equivalent radiation dose rate from the terrestrial gamma-radiation of the whole area attains 0.33 mSv y(-1). This average value remains on the safe side and within the maximum permissible safe radiation dose (<1.0 mSv y(-1)) without harm to the individual, except at three scattered points reaching more than these values. Some of the local inhabitants in the region sometimes use black sands as a building material. Consequently, they are not recommended for use as building materials, because the inhabitants will, then, receive a relatively high radioactive dose generated mainly by monazite and zircon minerals, two of the main constituents of black sands.

Stock Assessment and Potential management of Sardinella aurita Fisheries in the East Mediterranean sea (North Sinai coast).

Age, growth and population biology of Sardinella aurita were studies from a small fishery of East Mediterranean Sea (North Sina i coast). 4450 specimens ranged between 6 and 22.9 cm total length and varied from 3 to 77.1 g total weight, were collected from January to December, 2010. The relat ionship between length and weight was estimated as W=0.016 L 2.611 . Age was determined using scales reading technique and the longevity of this species was fou nd to be 4 years. Growth in length and in weight at the end of each year were calculat ed. The growth parameters of the Von-Bertalanffy equation were calculated as L �= 28.37cm, K= 0.2336 Yr -1 and t 0= 0.9808 Yr. Growth performance index O was estimated as 2.2742. Total, natural and fishing mortality rates were 0.99.7 Yr -1 , 0.3507 Yr -1 and 0.53 Yr -1 respectively. The currently exploitation rate (E=0.6) indicate that t he stock of S. aurita in North Sinai fishery is not overexploitation. The mean index of growth performance is lower than that for the another regions this may be related to unsuitable environment.

Age, growth, mortality rates and corresponding yield estimates of the snubnose emperor Lethrinus borbonicus from south Sinai coast, Gulf of Suez, Egypt

Age-based demographic analysis were conducted to assess the current status of fished stock of the snubnose emperor Lethrinus borbonicus in South Sinai coast, Gulf of Suez, Red Sea. L. borbonicus is one of the most abundant emperors in the area, representing about 10% of the total artisanal fishe ry in south Sinai coast. Seasonal samples were collected from the commercial small scale fishery during the period from June 2005 until April 2007. The otoliths were used for age determination. Validation of the ageing method was carried out by analyzing the seasonal length frequency distributions. The life span was found t o be four years. The estimated von Bertalanffy growth parameters from otolith age read ing were L �= 36.76 cm, K= 0.344 year -1 and t o= -0.321. Instantaneous rates of fishing mortality (F) were beyond the limit reference point compared with estimated insta ntaneous rates of natural mortality (M), indicating that there is currently a risk to t he sustainability of that stock. Results of the exploitation rate (E=0.583) and relative yie ld per recruit showed that the snubnose resource in the Gulf of Suez is overexploi ted and that small 16 individuals are the target of the fishery referring to recruitm ent overfishing also. Some implications for the fishery management for decreas ing fishing effort are required.

Selection of groundwater sites in Egypt, using geographic information systems, for desalination by solar energy in order to reduce greenhouse gases

Although Egypt has already reached the water poverty limit, it possesses a high potential of brackish groundwater available from different aquifers. All Arab countries lie in the best sun-belt region in the world and Egypt has the highest number of sun hours all year round. Solar energy for groundwater desalination is an independent infinite energy resource; it has low running costs and reduces the contribution of greenhouse gases (GHG) to global warming. Perfect meteorological conditions and land space are available in remote areas, where solar desalination could supply freshwater for drinking, industry, and for greenhouse agriculture. The present study uses Geographic Information System(s) (GIS) as a spatial decision support tool to select appropriate sites in Egypt for groundwater solar desalination. Solar radiation, aquifer depth, aquifer salinity, distance from the Delta and the Nile Valley, incidence of flash floods, sand dunes, rock faults, and seawater intrusion in the North Delta, are the criteria that have been taken into consideration in the process of analysis. A specific weight is given to each criterion according to its relative influence on the process of decision making. The results from the application of the presented methodology determine the relative suitability of sites for groundwater solar desalination. These sites are ranked in descending order to help decision-makers in Egypt. The results show that groundwater solar desalination is suitable in remote regions on the North Western Coast, on the North Sinai Coast, and at the Southern Oasis, for reducing greenhouse gases and that it is particularly useful for poor communities suffering from polluted water.

Molecular markers associated with genetic diversity of some medicinal plants in Sinai

The main objective of this work is to fingerprint some selected plant germplasm along the western Red Sea coast of Sinai. Selection is based on the relative economic importance of these plants on the medicinal and pharmaceutical levels. Molecular markers such as RAPD, ISSR and AFLP technologies were used in this work to detect genetic diversity of the selected medicinal plants. The study showed that taxonomical locations can be distinguished for each subspecies (with as low as 0 to 1% polymorphism using AMOVA analysis) according to its molecular fingerprint but it cannot be recognized as a different subspecies. Key words: Molecular markers, genetic diversity, RAPD, ISSR, AFLP, Sinai, medicinal plants.

Detecting temporal shoreline changes and erosion/accretion rates, using remote sensing, and their associated sediment characteristics along the coast of North Sinai, Egypt

The variation during 15 years in the shoreline along the North Sinai coast has been determined by analysing TM and ETM true colour Landsat images from 1986 to 2001. The analyses identified erosion and accretion patterns along the coast. The shoreline has advanced west of El Bardawil inlet1, El Bardawil inlet2, and El Arish Harbour, where the wave-induced littoral transport has been halted by jetty construction and beach growth rates are 20,681, 69,855 and 20,160 m2/year, respectively. On the downdrift side of the constructed jetties to the east, the shoreline is retreating and beaches erode at rates of −71,710, −69,968, and −11,760 m2/year, respectively. Sedimentological analyses of beach sediment samples have indicated selective transport of heavy minerals according to their densities and grain sizes. A general correspondence has been found between variation in grain size, sorting and heavy-mineral content of beach sand and the patterns of shoreline changes.