Natural and anthropogenic influences in the northeastern coast of the Nile delta,Egypt |
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| Authors: | Mahmoud M El Banna Omran E Frihy |
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| Institution: | (1) Coastal Research Institute, Ras El Bar Coastal Research Station, Street #77, Ras El Bar, Damietta, Egypt |
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| Abstract: | Landsat enhanced thematic mapper imagery (ETM) of 2002 and aerial photography of 1955, combined with published charts and
field observations were used to interpret coastal changes in the zone between Kitchener drain and Damietta spit in the northeastern
Nile delta, previously recognized as a vulnerable zone to the effects of any sea level rise resulting from global warming.
The interpretation resulted in recognition of several changes in nine identified geomorphological land types: beach and coastal
flat, coastal dunes, agricultural deltaic land, sabkhas, fish farms, Manzala lagoon, saltpans, marshes and urban centers.
Reclamation of vast areas of the coastal dunes and of Manzala lagoon added about 420 km2 to the agricultural deltaic land.
About 48 km2 of backshore flats, marshes, salt pans and Manzala lagoon have been converted to productive fish farms. The main
urban centers have expanded; nearly 12.1 km2 have been added to their areas, and new urban centers (Damietta harbor and the New Damietta city) with total area reach of
~35.3 km2 have been constructed at the expense of vast areas of Manzala lagoon, coastal dunes, and backshore flats. As a consequence
of human activities, the size of Manzala lagoon has been reduced to more than 65%. Shoreline changes have been determined
from beach profile survey (1990–2000), and comparison of 1955 aerial photographs and ETM satellite image of 2002 reveal alongshore
patterns of erosion versus accretion. The short-term rate of shoreline retreat (1990–2000) has increased in the downdrift
side of Damietta harbor (≃14 m/year), whereas areas of accretion exist within the embayment of Gamasa and in the shadow of
Ras El Bar detached breakwaters system, with a maximum shoreline advance of ~15 m/year. A sandy spit, 12 km long, has developed
southeast of Damietta promontory. These erosion/accretion patterns denote the natural processes of wave-induced longshore
currents and sediment transport, in addition, the impact of man-made coastal protection structures. |
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| Keywords: | Coastal dunes Damietta Anthropogenic influences Manzala lagoon Nile Delta |
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