Human-induced sedimentological changes in Manzala Lagoon, Nile Delta, Egypt |
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Authors: | G Randazzo D J Stanley S I Di Geronimo C Amore |
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Institution: | (1) Istituto di Scienze della Terra, Universitá di Messina, Salita Sperone n. 31 C.P. I-54–98166 Sant'Agata di Messina, Italy e-mail: randazzo@labcart.unime.it, IT;(2) Deltas-Global Change Program, Paleobiology, E-206 NMNH, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. 20560, USA e-mail: stanley.daniel@nmnh.si.edu, US;(3) Istituto Policattedra di Oceanologia e Paleoecologia, Universitá di Catania, Corso Italia, I-55–95129 Catania, Italy, IT |
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Abstract: | The Manzala Lagoon in Egypt's Nile Delta has become a sediment sink of reduced area and depth, with increased contaminant
levels. Loss of much-needed fresh to brackish water reserves and decreased fish catches have serious ramifications. Herein,
maps of temporal and regional sediment distributions in Manzala incorporate petrological and statistical analyses of 200 surficial
and short core samples. These provide baseline information needed to help implement protection measures for this vital wetland.
Four periods are considered: 1920s, 1940s, ∼1965, and 1990. Important depositional changes between 1940s and ∼1965 resulted
from anthropogenic effects on this quasi-closed lagoon system, including industrial buildup, wetland conversion to agricultural
land, and irrigation waterway development. Further modification from ∼1965 to 1990 is associated with closure of the Aswan
High Dam, continued construction of waterways that discharge waste water into lagoon margins, and marine incursion into the
northern lagoon. If current practices continue, the lagoon could be reduced to about one-third of its present area by 2050
AD.
Received: 2 October 1997 · Accepted: 13 January 1998 |
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Keywords: | Delta lagoons Fish resources Manzala Lagoon Nile Delta Pollution Waste water |
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