Geo-environmental evaluation of Wadi El Raiyan Lakes,Egypt, using remote sensing and trace element techniques

Wadi El Raiyan depression represents a discharge area of excess wastewater from the Faiyum province. It comprises two lakes: the upper lake connects the lower one through a channel. The intensive agriculture in the area hazardously affects both lakes. To assess the status of these lakes, this work studies the change detection using image classification and post-classification comparison, physicochemical parameters, concentration of trace elements, and microbiological contents. The classified images indicate a maintained constant area of the upper lake from 1990 to 2012 and decreased by 1.6% in 2014. The lower lake area increased by 4.8% between 1990 and 2001, then decreased till 2014 and increased again by 8.4% in 2015. The change detection concluded that the lake could be disappeared by 2019 if the exploitation of water from the upper lake continues, or the lake could be rebounded if the government planned to increase the recharge. The factor analysis implies that the total Fe, Mn, Ni, Ba, and As are controlled by pH–Eh relationship, Cu by TDS, Pb by temperature, while Cd is attributed to anthropogenic factor. The upper and lower lake samples exhibit biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) values lower than fish farm samples. The high BOD and COD values were coupled by high nitrate contents in the studied water samples. The cultivated land drains and the fish farms samples have total coliform (TC) and fecal coliform (FC) higher than the samples collected from the upper lake.     

Geomorphic and lithologic characteristics of Wadi Feiran basin,southern Sinai,Egypt, using remote sensing and field investigations

Wadi Feiran is an important drainage basin in southern Sinai Peninsula covering an area of about 1785 \(\hbox {km}^{2}\), its streams drain into the Gulf of Suez crossing variety of rocks and sedimentary units varied in age from Precambrian to Quaternary. Field investigations, geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing studies including Landsat-7 ETM+, Radarsat-1, and SRTM DEM were integrated to reveal its lithologic, geologic and geomorphic features. Besides the field investigations, rock units including basement and pre- and syn-rift sedimentary units were discriminated using band ratios and principal component analysis techniques (PCA). Such techniques revealed that the crystalline rocks covering W. Feiran are unaltered rocks lacking OH-bearing minerals. Radar data successfully displayed the structures and geomorphic features related to topography. Moreover, the techniques allowed the extraction of the dyke-like structures along faults and shear zones. This also characterized the topographic variations through analysis of the shaded terrain and the altitudinal profiles. The results of data integration, lineament analysis and lineament density maps revealed that the structural grain in the present study has four different trends: N20–45E, N30–45W, N–S and E–W. Based on analysis of radar data and geomorphic indices, W. Feiran is an asymmetrical basin, its left side occupies \(\sim \)34% of the total area that leads to a supposedly massive tilt towards the south which caused the southwestward slope.     

Exploration of copper deposits in Wadi El Regeita area, Southern Sinai, Egypt, with contribution of remote sensing and geophysical data

Three types of hydrothermal alterations are recorded in Wadi El Regeita area, argillic, phyllic, and propylitic. Whole-rock analysis of representative samples of the alteration halo (1) shows a Cu, Au, and Ag content up to 1.7 wt.%, 1.6 g/t, and 4 g/t, respectively; in the alteration halo (2), these metal contents are up to 1.3 wt.%, 1.4 g/t, and 3 g/t, following the same order. The integrated remote sensing and geophysical data, as well as geological field verification, show that Wadi El Regeita area includes promising Cu ores within two hydrothermal alteration haloes. Spatial data analyses of lineaments from Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) band ratio image (7/5, 5/4, 3/1) reveal the presence of alteration haloes that potentially may host Cu mineralization at south and north of El Regita Cu mine. Gravity interpretation indicates that the surveyed area is dissected by NE–SW fault zones in the central part, near Wadi El Regeita Cu mine. Ground magnetic survey data revealed that the surveyed area includes six magnetic bodies at depths ranging from 32 to 90 m, possibly recording the presence of mineralized and hydrothermally altered andesitic dykes. The half length of these dykes ranges from 600 to 1,070 m; their half thickness from 30 to 123 m and their half width from 48 to 531 m. Dyke locations coincide with surface alteration haloes (1) and (2) as indicated by the ETM band ratio image processing. The final assessment of the area, however, needs more detailed geological and geophysical studies with contributions of remote sensing techniques.     

济南泉域浅层地下水水化学同位素研究

文章系统地分析了济南泉域浅层地下水(第四系孔隙水)和地表水的水化学成分和氢氧稳定同位素,并结合当地地形和水文条件,研究了不同地段浅层地下水和地表水的不同补给来源,揭示了浅层地下水与岩溶水的水力联系,得出浅层地下水在市区和东郊以降水入渗补给为主;在西郊和平安店则以岩溶水顶托补给和地表水(河水和水库水)入渗补给为主、当地降水入渗为辅的结论。为保护泉水、优化泉域内地下水开采方案提供了重要依据。     

Petrology, geochemistry and remote sensing data of island arc assemblage along Wadi Abu Marawat, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

The basement rocks of Abu Marawat area comprise serpentinites (oldest), metavolcanics and their equivalent pyroclastics, intrusive metagabbro–diorite complex, synkinematic granitoids, Hammamat sediments and basic intrusion (youngest). Remote sensing ETM+ data of Abu Marawat area were analyzed, and band ratios technique was applied to discriminate between different varieties of these basement rocks. Serpentinites are represented by lensoidal bodies tectonically incorporated in the metavolcanics. On band ratio 5/7 image, they are characterized by very bright image signature. The metavolcanics comprise basalts, andesite and subordinate dacites together with their equivalent pyroclastics. They were regionally metamorphosed up to the greenschist facies and exhibit dark grey image signatures on band ratio 5/7 image. The metagabbro–diorite complex is made up of metagabbros, diorites and quartz diorites, whereas the synkinematic granitoids are formed of tonalites and granodiorites. The band ratio 5/7 image illustrates tonalites with dark image signature, whereas metagabbro–diorites and granodiorites exhibit grey image signature. The metavolcanic suites are of island arc setting, where metabasalts are of tholeiitic affinity, while the meta-andesites and metadacites are of calc-alkaline character. The metagabbroic and granitoid rocks are of I-type, calc-alkaline affinity and were formed in arc tectonic setting. They are enriched in LIL elements and depleted in Nb and HFS elements, a characteristic feature of subduction-related magmatism. The regular variation trends among the major and trace elements as well as the coincidence of the plotted samples favor the assumption that they are comagmatic and formed by processes such as fractional crystallization.     

Geochemical reconnaissance survey and environmental assessment for stream sediments of Wadi Um Gier,Southeastern Desert,Egypt

The purposes of this study were to assess the influence of old mining activities on the geochemistry and quality of sediments and to identify the sites of economic elements. Thirty sites of stream sediment were sampled in the study area covered by granitic, metarhyodacitic and meta-andesitic rocks and related tuffs-hosted abandoned Au mine. The suite of chemical elements, Ag, Bi, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, Mn, Nb, Pb, Rb, Sb, Se, Sn, Te, Th, U, Y, Zn and Zr, pH value and total organic carbon were determined, and univariate, bivariate and multivariate statistical methods were applied. The results show that the enrichment factor (EF) is very high in the case of Te and significant also with respect to Ag, Bi, Cu, Sb, Se, Sn and Zn. Likewise, geoaccumulation indices (Igeos) varied from very highly polluted with Sn and Te, strongly to very strongly polluted with Bi and Se, and moderately polluted with Sb. The polluted sites of Ag, Bi, Sb, Se, Sn and Te were outlined using Igeos maps, and economic sites of Ag and Sn were identified by geochemical maps leading to their sources, which are likely to be mining activities and lithogenic processes. The pollutant elements may cause toxicity in stream sediments, or surface or underground water, as well as plants and animals in the area. This investigation provides an environmental baseline for future monitoring of possible human/anthropogenic, industrial and agricultural impacts on the study area and considers an attempt at re-mining Ag and Sn.     

Hydrochemistry of surface water and groundwater from a fractured carbonate aquifer in the Helwan area,Egypt

Groundwater is an important water resource in the Helwan area, not only for drinking and agricultural purposes, but also because several famous mineral springs have their origin in the fractured carbonate aquifer of the region. The area is heavily populated with a high density of industrial activities which may pose a risk for groundwater and surface water resources. The groundwater and surface water quality was investigated as a basis for more future investigations. The results revealed highly variable water hydrochemistry. High values of chloride, sulphate, hardness and significant mineralization were detected under the industrial and high-density urban areas. High nitrate contents in the groundwater recorded in the southern part of the study area are probably due to irrigation and sewage infiltrations from the sewage treatment station. The presence of shale and marl intercalation within the fissured and cavernous limestone aquifer promotes the exchange reactions and dissolution processes. The groundwater type is sodium, sulphate, chloride reflecting more mineralized than surface water. The results also showed that water in the study area (except the Nile water) is unsuitable for drinking purposes, but it can be used for irrigation and industrial purposes with some restrictions.     

Groundwater potentiality mapping in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, using remote sensing and GIS-watershed-based modeling

Systematic planning for groundwater exploration using modern techniques is essential for the proper utilization, protection and management of this vital resource. Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) images, a geographic information system (GIS), a watershed modeling system (WMS) and weighted spatial probability modeling (WSPM) were integrated to identify the groundwater potential areas in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Eight pertinent thematic layers were built in a GIS and assigned appropriate rankings. Layers considered were: rainfall, net groundwater recharge, lithology or infiltration, lineament density, slope, drainage density, depth to groundwater, and water quality. All these themes were assigned weights according to their relative importance to groundwater potentiality and their corresponding normalized weights were obtained based on their effectiveness factors. The groundwater potentiality map was finally produced by WSPM. This map comprises five gradational groundwater potentiality classes ranging from very high to very low. The validity of this unbiased GIS-based model was tested by correlating its results with the published hydrogeological map of Egypt and the actual borehole yields, where a concordant justification was reached. The map declared that the Sinai Peninsula is generally of moderate groundwater potentiality, where this class encompasses an area of 33,120?km² which represents 52% of its total area.     

Distribution and environmental geochemistry of some heavy metals in stream sediments of Wadi Allaqi, South Eastern Desert of Egypt

The study focuses on the lateral distribution and the environmental geochemistry of seven heavy metals: Fe, Mn, Cu, Co, Ni, Pb, and Zn in addition to Al in the stream sediments of Wadi Allaqi. Forty-two samples were collected from the upstream, the midstream, and the downstream of this Wadi. Results of the grain size analysis show that the sediments of Wadi Allaqi are fine to medium sand. The heavy metals content reflects the weathering impact on the hinterland. The highest concentrations of Fe, Al, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Zn are recorded in the midstream that is dominated by clastics of felsic and intermediate composition. Moreover, the downstream, occupied by ultrabasic–basic rocks, shows the highest averages of Co and Ni. These results suggest that the felsic and intermediate rocks are the main source of the former metals, whereas the ultrabasic–basic rocks are the source of later two metals. All the analyzed heavy metals have average concentrations lower than their backgrounds, except for Co and Pb. The pollution level by these heavy metals has been evaluated using enrichment ratio (ER), pollution load index (PLI), and index of geoaccumulation (Igeo). The calculated values of ER, CF, PLI, and Igeo indicate that Wadi Allaqi sediments are almost pristine except occasional feeble pollution level by Co and Pb.     

Integrated geophysical study to explore the groundwater in the tectonic plain between Wadi El Mahash and Wadi Um Markhah,Southwest Sinai,Egypt

South Sinai Governorate acts as one of the most vital regions in Egypt for its location and natural resources. This governorate has a special economic importance to increase the national income due to its tourism expansion and petroleum. The fresh water is transferred from Cairo through pipelines to cover the demands of local inhabitants in the north Sinai governorate and the capital city of south Sinai governorate. The groundwater exploration and exploitation in this area have a great importance to cover the need of water for the different activities (tourism, petroleum, and agriculture) and to achieve a maximum development in this region. Therefore, the present study deals with using the different geophysical exploration techniques (magnetic, geoelectrical resistivity and shallow refraction seismic) to detect the groundwater aquifer or aquifers in the area between latitudes 27°52′ and 28°05′?N and longitudes 33°55′ and 34°05′?E. in southwestern Sinai—Egypt. The main results of these tools are the maximum depth to the basement surface 180 m and structure elements which affected on this area are represented by a number of normal faults have a trends (NNW–SSE and ENE–WSW) making two grabens isolated by one horst. Tariff Sandstone bed recorded as water-bearing formation and the basement ridge gates in the gulf direction are not capable to pass the ground water from the study area to the Gulf of Suez. Finally, the best locations for drilling groundwater wells were selected from the decision map which generated by using the GIS technique.     

Integrated remote sensing and GIS for surface water development. Case study: Ras El Hekma area, northwestern coast of Egypt

The surface water development can help to address the growing demand for water resources and the effects of stormwater flooding on the local environment. The study area was chosen according to its special conditions where it represents one of the main headlands along the southern Mediterranean coast and receives amount of rainfall during the winter season. The main objective of this paper is to monitor and record data about the current surface water status as well as to have a systematic understanding of the water resources base in the study area, and this assessment will contribute in the exploitation of the surface water. The current research is integration between geomorphology, geology, remote sensing, and the applications of geographical information system. The total amount of annual rainfall and surface runoff are estimated (annual rainfall is 23.345 million m³ and surface runoff is 1.167 million m³). On the other hand, the surface runoff which has been resulted from one event (storm) is also estimated to be 483,000 m³/day. The present study introduce some recommendations; the cisterns should be established in the vicinities of the watersheds and on the downstream of the drainage basins to store water before draining to the sea, the dug should be in oolitic limestone to reduce drilling costs, the water reservoirs should be established to store large amount of surface water (from 2,000 to 3,000 m³). Dams are necessary to protect the agriculture activities from any flash hazard which is expected any time.     

Use of chloride-mass balance and environmental isotopes for evaluation of groundwater recharge in the alluvial aquifer, Wadi Tharad, western Saudi Arabia

Groundwater recharge estimation has become a priority issue for humid and arid regions, especially in regions like Saudi Arabia, where the precipitation varies over space and time as a result of topography and seasonality. Wadi Tharad is a typical arid area in western Saudi Arabia. Within its drainage area of 400 km², the groundwater system shows a graded hydrochemical zonation from the hydrocarbonate in the upper reach to the chloride zone in the lower reach. The saturation index (SI) varies depending on the concentrations of carbonate minerals; the mean for calcite and dolomite is about in equilibrium (e.g., zero value). As halite and gypsum indices are negative, it is undersaturated. Isotopic compositions of H and O in the groundwater show that the groundwater recharge resources are mainly from meteoric water. The chloride-mass balance method was refined to estimate the amount of recharge, which is probably 11% of the effective annual rainfall. These results can be used to improve the accuracy of future groundwater management and development schemes.     

航空物探和航天遥感技术在环境评价中的应用现状

本文介绍了航空物探和遥感技术在环境评价中的应用前提和应用领域，列出了在碍国内外应用研究的实例，充分说明该技术是环境评价前期阶段缩小靶区最重要的手段之一，具有快速、低廉等特点，受到各国广泛重视和采用。     

Hydrogeochemistry,environmental isotopes and the origin of the Hamamayagi-Ladik thermal spring (Samsun,Turkey)

Hamamayagi thermal spring (HTS) is located along the North Anatolian Fault Zone. The thermal spring has a temperature of 36°C, with total dissolved solids ranging from 485.6 to 508.5 mg/L. Hard, brittle, and gray limestones Permian aged are the reservoir rocks of the HTS. δ¹⁸O–δ²H isotope ratios clearly indicate a meteoric origin for the waters. The δ³⁴S value of sulfate in the thermal water is nearly 4.1‰ and implies a diagenetic environment characterized by reduced sulfur compounds. The δ¹³C ratio for dissolved inorganic carbonate in the HTS lies between −1.78 and −1.62‰, showing that it originates from the dissolution of fresh-water carbonates. Quartz geothermometry suggests a reservoir temperature of 52–85°C for the Hamamayagi geothermal field, but chalcedony geothermometers suggest reservoir temperatures between 30 and 53°C.     

Distribution of wetlands and salt lakes in the Yadong region of Tibet based on remote sensing,and their geo-climatic environmental changes

Based on the 16 scenes GF-1 satellite multi-spectral remote sensing images, through the adoption of data processing methods including orthorectification, geometric rectification, data fusion and image mosaic, integrated with field surveys, the remote sensing interpretation signs for the inland wetland types have been built, and the remote sensing survey of inland wetlands in Yadong region has been initiated, with six types of inland wetlands recognized in Yadong region, namely permanent rivers, seasonal rivers, lakes, salt lakes, alpine meadows, and inundated land. The spatial distribution characteristics and the spreading rules of these wetlands have also been revealed. Based on full understanding of the overall characteristics of the inland wetlands in the Yadong region, using the three phases of TM images acquired in 1989, 2003 and 2008 as well as the PMS2 data gathered by GF-1 in 2014, and the wide-range data (WFV3) gathered by GF-1 in 2020. As to the typical salt lakes, a long- time salt lakes transition study was carried out. The results show that the typical salt lakes in Yadong have been shrinking in the past three decades. The average annual shrinkage of Duoqing Co (Co means lake in Tibetan) was stronger than that of Gala Co, which are respective 87.30 hectares (usually short as ha; 1 ha equals to 0.01 km²) /a and 24.20 ha/a; the shrinkage degree of Gala Co was higher than that of Duoqing Co, shrank by 59.27% and 35.73% respectively. Based on the remote sensing survey results and an integrated analysis of the predecessors’ researchers, the reason for the shrinkage of the salt lakes is more inclined to geological factors. Geological process is manifested by a series of extensional faults at the bottom of the lake basin generated from tectonic activities, providing fluid infiltration channels, and inducing the eventual leakage of lake water to the lower strata. The result provides an important instance for understanding the evolution characteristics of wetlands and salt lakes in specific environment of the Tibetan Plateau.©2022 China Geology Editorial Office.     

Flood susceptibility prediction using four machine learning techniques and comparison of their performance at Wadi Qena Basin,Egypt

Natural Hazards - Floods represent catastrophic environmental hazards that have a significant impact on the environment and human life and their activities. Environmental and water management in...     

云南弥勒红河谷温泉水文化学特征及成因

为了探讨弥勒红河谷温泉的成因及钻孔热水的开采对温泉的影响,以此来为红河谷温泉地区热水资源的开发提供合理依据。文章对弥勒红河谷温泉、冷泉和钻孔热水进行水化学分析和同位素测试。结果显示：温泉矿化度（TDS）为232~328 mg.L-1,pH值呈弱酸性,锶含量为0.29~0.44 mg.L-1,偏硅酸25.45~34.44 mg.L-1,热水水化学类型为HCO3-Ca型,冷泉HCO3-Ca·Mg型,热储温度在65~70 ℃之间。氢、氧同位素表明温泉热水来源于大气降水;估算的补给区高程为2100m左右。温泉受断裂带控制,由大气降水补给,经大地热流加热沿断裂带涌出于地表。由于玄武岩的隔水作用和地下水流向,钻孔和自流孔热水的开采对温泉的影响不大。     

Assessment of land degradation east of the Nile Delta, Egypt using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Land degradation is one of the most common issues in the eastern part of the Nile Delta area that threatens the ongoing agricultural activities and prohibits further reclamation expansions. The different degradation types and the associated risk assessment of some soils types of western Suez Canal region during the period from 1997 to 2010 is discussed. The assessment of the different degradation degrees in the investigated area has been carried out through integrating remote sensing, GIS and GLASOD approaches. Results revealed that the salinization, alkalization, soil compaction and water logging are the main types of land degradation in the area. The main causative factors of human induced land degradation types are; over irrigation, human intervention in natural drainage, improper time use of heavy machinery and the absence of conservation measurements. Low and moderately clay flats, gypsifferous flats, have high to very high risk in both salinization sodication and physical degradation. Values such as EC, ESP, and ground water level reach 104.0 dS/m, 176? % and 60 cm, respectively. These results will be of great help and be basic sources for the planners and decision makers in sustainable planning. The spatial land degradation model was developed based on integration between remote sensing data, geographic information system, soil characteristics and DEM.