Hassan Fath

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

ABSTRACT This 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.

Influence of Coastal Measures on Shoreline Kinematics Along Damietta coast Using Geospatial Tools

The shoreline trajectory of Damietta city, located at the Northern coast of Egypt, is dramatically subjected to significant kinematic changes. Several types of coastal measures have been applied substantially along the coastal stretch of Damietta to protect shoreline (detached breakwaters, Jetties, groins, and seawalls). This study focuses in the assessment of shoreline kinematics response due to the existence of these structures during the period from 1990 to 2015 using satellite images and geo-spatial tools. Three semi-automatic extraction techniques are initially tempted for Landsat ETM 2003 imagery namely; Iso cluster technique, threshold method, and onscreen digitizing. The shoreline variation measurement of is described for three sectors based on the allocation of the coastal measures:(1) the western sector encompassing Damietta port with two jetties; (2) the central sector including detached breakwaters; (3) the eastern portion of Damietta estuary passing through a seawall. The results show that, the shoreline has progressed by +10.0 m/year rate west of Damietta port. Behind the detached breakwaters, the shoreline has advanced by +12.0 m/year from 1999 to 2003 and then has decreased gradually to be near the stable state in 2015. The highly eroded by average rate of - 78 m/year appeared at end of eastern seawall.

Desalination and Greenhouses

Egypt’s hot climate, high solar radiation, and lack of irrigating water are limiting factors for successful farmland, and makes growing crops an expensive and resource-intensive endeavor. In addition, Egypt is composed of 95% desert land which makes growing plants in open fields difficult due to infertile soil, low average rainfall, and lack of freshwater for irrigation purposes. These difficulties can be overcome by using Greenhouses (GHs) for agricultural purposes which can provide the proper environment for plants growth in all seasons.