The impacts of different light intensities on the phenotypic plasticity of several plant features... more The impacts of different light intensities on the phenotypic plasticity of several plant features in two Vicia faba varieties (Sakha1 and Giza Blanca) were explored for the genotype-environment interaction of specific traits. Plants from both genotypes were grown for 28 days in four distinct light conditions: 550 mol m-2 s-1 , 850 mol m-2 s-1 , 1200 mol m-2 s-1 , and 1800 mol m-2 s-1 , then after, various measurements were conducted. For variables measured including leaf width, shoot fresh and dry weight, and root fresh and dry weight, both genotypes showed comparable plasticity responses, showing no genotype-environment interaction for these traits. However, Sakha1 outperformed Giza Blanca in terms of leaf count, stomatal density of the abaxial surface, and root/shoot ratio as light intensity increased. The plasticity of a particular leaf area implied morphogenetic regulation for both genotypes and showed that leaves tended to expand their leaf area in low light conditions in order to capture more light. In contrast, these plants developed significantly thicker leaves when exposed to high light intensities.
Aminoglycosides (AMG) are a significant class of antibiotics frequently used with ß-lactams in th... more Aminoglycosides (AMG) are a significant class of antibiotics frequently used with ß-lactams in the management of severe infections brought on by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The clinical efficacy of these antibiotics is currently under jeopardy due to rising Gram-negative bacteria's aminoglycoside resistance. An significant insight into the possible difficulties of treating bacteria comes from the characterization of the gene profiles for antibiotic resistance. E. coli and K. pneumoniae were subjected to a rapid-multiplex-PCR assay to look into the genes producing aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs) and assess how common these resistance genes were. The disc diffusion method (Kirby-bauer) was used to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of 95 bacterial strains against gentamicin, amikacin, neomycin, and tobramycin, with 54 strains of K. pneumoniae and 41 strains of E. coli making up the total. Three distinct sets of primers, aph(3), ant(2), and aac(6), were used in standard multiplex PCR to target AMG resistance genes. Ten distinct resistance patterns for E. coli and K. pneumoniae were found after an analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility tests against AMG for tested bacteria. The most common AME-genes in K. pneumoniae, according to the mPCR, were aac(6) and ant(2) (77.78% for both), followed by aph(3) (48.15%). While among E. coli isolates, aac(6) (75.61%), ant(2) (56.1%), and aph(3) (48.78%) had the highest prevalence of AME-gene resistance. Each isolate of E. coli and K. pneumoniae gained one or more drug-resistant genes, according to the results of the multiplex-PCR. It was hypothesised that the same resistance gene was horizontally spread between other bacterial species.
Wind farms along bird migration routes may be very hazardous. During the spring migration season ... more Wind farms along bird migration routes may be very hazardous. During the spring migration season in 2020, a study on the collision of bat and bird species was carried out on the KFW 240 MW (120 WTGs) wind farm. Direct inspections by searchers and unsystematic line transect searches with autos were used in the carcass searches technique. To examine the collected data, the GenEst estimator was used. During a systematic search, six bird carcasses/remains were discovered, three of which belonged to migratory soaring birds (MSB) with the least concern status. During the unsystematic search, two MSB and one Passerine carcasses were discovered, but no bat carcasses were found as collision victims. Furthermore, no bird or bat carcasses were detected beneath the high voltage powerlines that run parallel to the wind farm. Carcass persistence trials revealed that MSB lasted 23.92 days while little passerines lasted 3 days. The detection probability for all decay types was 87.2, 93.3 % for MSB, and 41.9 % for tiny Passerines. Moreover, the final fatality estimation for the plant and its structures was 0.084 MSB fatality/ turbine/ season, 0.166 Passerine/ turbine/ season.
The COVID-19 pandemic had scarcely made an impact on the world as of the beginning of 2020, altho... more The COVID-19 pandemic had scarcely made an impact on the world as of the beginning of 2020, although it has quickly spread over the universe since it was first detected in early December 2019. By mid-March 2021, the COVID-19 had practically hit every country on the earth. As a primary precaution to prevent the spread of disease and mortality, some nations have implemented quarantines and the suspension of many activities. The termination of these activities has resulted in significant economic losses. However, it has been widely reported that these steps have improved air quality, particularly in highly polluted areas with considerable populations and industrial activity. Worldwide reports and verification of lower carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, and particulate matter emissions have been made in relation with shutdown times. On the other hand, it has been revealed that ozone levels in the ambient air have increased, owing mostly to lower nitrogen emissions. Furthermore, it has been claimed that natural water resources have higher water quality. Wastewater treatment plants have reported an increase in organic load with persistent chemicals as a result of increased use of sanitizers, disinfectants, and antibiotics. In general, the qualitative and quantitative volumes of solid waste, created as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, have both increased. This study presents and summarises the environmental impacts of COVID-19 as recorded in the literature for various countries throughout the world, which provides a comprehensive perspective of the COVID-19's environmental consequences.
Malaria parasites undergo a sequential series of developmental changes as they traverse and invad... more Malaria parasites undergo a sequential series of developmental changes as they traverse and invade various tissues of both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. These developmental changes are reflected in the parasites' morphology, infectivity, gene expression patterns, as well as levels. Midgut and hemolymph sporozoites are completely different from those of salivary gland ones in that they are less capable for infecting their hosts and are less motile. The mosquito factors triggering those developmental changes during, and post salivary gland invasion are largely unknown. To identify and characterise mosquito factors that trigger those essential developmental changes in Plasmodium berghei and strengthen sporozoite development to infect their mammalian host, a UIS4:mCherry-containing line of P. berghei (PbANKA-Cherry-2204c1) that only has visible mCherry expression following salivary gland invasion, was treated in vitro with adult female mosquito tissue homogenates. The data obtained from using female Anopheles stephensi salivary gland homogenate shows the expression of mCherry protein as red fluorescence in about 70% of treated sporozoites in vitro. Anopheles stephensi midgut homogenate (non-specific tissue), and Aedes aegyptie salivary gland homogenate (non-vector salivary gland) were used as well as UIS4, UIS7, and mCherry genes expression were compared with midgut sporozoites. Treated sporozoites have a transcription profile of the tested genes like that of salivary gland sporozoites. Although the variables causing Plasmodium development following mosquito salivary gland invasion may not be influenced by mosquito species, it does show tissue specificity. As a result, the salivary gland's function as a gateway and invasion is the most crucial and specific phase in disease transmission.
Water quality and quantity have diminished in the agricultural area of west Luxor due to excessiv... more Water quality and quantity have diminished in the agricultural area of west Luxor due to excessive water use and land management techniques. The current study intends to monitor the hydrogeochemical processes of water resources in Egypt's west Luxor area. In August 2021, 79 surface, shallow, and groundwater samples were collected in the study area. In this investigation, three statistical techniques were used: classical, cluster hydrogeochemical statistical analysis (CA), and geo-statistical analysis. Water characteristics are mapped using the Kriging method, which is a Geo-Statistical tool in ArcMap 10.4.1. The laboratory results of the Piper trainer diagram integration (CA) and geo-statistical prediction maps showed that cations (Na + > Ca 2+ > Mg 2+ > K +) and anions (Cl-> SO 4 2-> HCO 3-> CO 3 2-) dominated. The majority of water types in all samples were Na-Cl, Mixed Na-Cl-HCO 3 , Mixed Na-Cl-SO 4 , and Mixed Na-Ca-Mg-HCO 3. Prediction maps coincide with hydro-geochemical statistical analysis, which showed that salts and measured heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cd, Pb, As) levels in groundwater and shallow water samples were greater than those of Egyptian Standard Limits, while surface water had high pH, HCO-, and CO 3 2levels, indicating pollution sources. As a result, this study found that combining geostatistical and classical hydrogeochemical statistical analysis produced a good assessment of both natural water processes and water quality in the west Luxor area.
The Caraway, Carum carvi essential oil was assessed to behave as natural control of bee parasitic... more The Caraway, Carum carvi essential oil was assessed to behave as natural control of bee parasitic mite, Varroa destructor during fall season instead of chemicals methods. Caraway oil (100%) was used and compared to the synthetic acaricide; Apistan. The number of fallen mites and infestation percentages on both adult and brood were estimated regarding the effects of essential oil on honeybees Apis mellifera. The essential oil from C. carvi seeds were extracted by hydro distillation and characterized by GC/MS. Sixteen compounds were identified representing; 97.33% of the oil. The predominant components were Limonene (38.81%), Carvone (35.43 %), α-Myrcene (7.3%), Dihydrocarvone (5.58%) and Limonene oxide (5.13%). The infestation reduction percentages, recorded with Caraway oil, reached 84.42% and 70.65% on adult and brood workers after 21 days of treatments with no statistical difference with Apistan. The mean numbers of fallen Varroa mites were (67.67) and (74.65) in hives treated by essential oil and Apistan, respectively. The immune response of honeybee workers and pupa revealed significant elevation in phenol oxidase activity with Caraway oil however, remarkable inhibition in the enzyme activity observed with workers exposed to Apistan. The comet assay performed on worker honeybee as a biomarker of DNA damage; revealed statistically significant increase in DNA damage caused with Apistan (20.1%) and infested bee (21.64 %) compared to corresponding one treated with Caraway essential oil (12.4%) and control (9.6%). Caraway essential oil proved a safe way as natural controlling of Varoaa destructive with keep guard of honeybee social life and fit into IPM programs
Brassica campestris is a typical daily crop grown all over the world as a source of fodder, veget... more Brassica campestris is a typical daily crop grown all over the world as a source of fodder, vegetables, and oil. The allelopathic effects of Populus nigra L. and Melia azedarach L. extracted leaves on seed germination and growth performance of Brassica campestris L. were studied in the field and in the laboratory. Seeds of Brassica campestris were seeded in pots in the field, whereas seeds sown in tap water were considered as a control. Different leave weight, of both P. nigra L. and M. azedarach was used and mixed with soil separately, to test their allopathic effects. Growth parameters including stem height, stem diameter, leaf number, number of internodes, internodal length, fresh and dry weight of the stem, and 1000 seed-weight were investigated. Number of flowers per plant; and inflorescence size were also considered. The results revealed that all measured parameters of B. campestris were negatively influenced, with the exception of internodal length, which was found to be positively affected. Seeds treated with plant extracts showed an inhibitory effect on seed germination which was directly proportional with doses of leaves weight used. In laboratory experiments, the allelopathic effects of P. nigra aqueous extract on seed germination (%) as well as growth performance of germinated seed, expressed as plumule length and radicle length, of B. campestris were reported. Parallel to the field experiment, a high dose of leaf weight extracted from dried leaves greatly decreased seed germination (%) and growth measured parameters, which are proportional to extracted leaf weight.
The goal of this study was to identify potential sites in the Bitter Lakes region for urban and a... more The goal of this study was to identify potential sites in the Bitter Lakes region for urban and agricultural development. Residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial lands are the four categories of urban land. Agrarian, parks, and green zones are examples of cultivated lands. Economic, social, and environmental factors are the key dimensions of Egypt's 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy. Economic development is the most significant and highest priority dimension, which comprises developing agricultural areas, supporting agro-industry (national industry), and constructing new urban settlements in order to accomplish integrated development. The suitable lands for future development were selected according to geomorphological, hydrological, environmental, social, and geological parameters. These parameters were used to create geospatial database for the study area. To avoid any future problems might be resulting from mis-planning, accurate and modern land use planning principals, field work, laboratory tests and analyses, remote sensing, and GIS techniques were integrated. To get the final highly suitable lands for development; analytical hierarchy process (AHP) steps were applied. AHP used to identify the best suitable lands from a set of alternatives with respect to several criteria and their weights. Finally, the research area was separated into three major zones to design the urban master plan: core urban zone, outer urban zone, and outskirts zone.
Over the past several decades, a persistent and gradual elevation in atmospheric carbon dioxide (... more Over the past several decades, a persistent and gradual elevation in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2) concentration has been observed. This rise in CO 2 levels contributes to the greenhouse effect, resulting in the trapping of more heat at the planet's surface and subsequent global warming. Based on current trends, it is projected that the global temperature will rise by approximately 1.5 °C between the years 2030 and 2052. In light of this, it becomes imperative to mitigate global warming by undertaking substantial actions to reduce CO 2 emissions. One approach to address this challenge is the sequestration of carbon dioxide, whereby it is captured from the atmosphere and utilized to produce valuable products. This has the potential to not only reduce the amount of CO 2 in the atmosphere but also lower the cost associated with emissions reduction. Carbon dioxide, when present above ambient levels, can be directly employed in processes such as enhanced oil recovery, where it is injected into oil wells. Additionally, it can be chemically transformed into materials, chemicals, or fuels, such as methanol, cement, biochar, and fuel production. While no single technology can fully address climate change, several innovative approaches have been developed to assist in reducing atmospheric CO 2 levels. These include direct air capture, cloud treatment, biomass-based construction, restoration of blue carbon habitats, and enhanced weathering. These methods and strategies for carbon dioxide sequestration are explored and described in order to counteract the adverse effects of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases on climate change and global warming. It is crucial to recognize that numerous industries and companies play a substantial role in generating CO 2 emissions. Nonetheless, it is feasible to mitigate the concentration of this gas through various measures, both pre and post-emission, thereby reducing its impact on the environment. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and describe innovative approaches and strategies for carbon dioxide sequestration in order to mitigate the adverse effects of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases on climate change and global warming.
Anthropogenic contamination is spreading through every environment on the planet that affects the... more Anthropogenic contamination is spreading through every environment on the planet that affects the whole biota. Negative effects have been observed recently in a number of taxa, including birds. Birds are crucial as bioindicators as one of the best studied groups of organisms because they are noticeable, relatively simple to observe, and the subject of public interest and concern. Therefore, evaluation of lead (Pb) levels in the liver, muscle, kidney, and feathers of laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis), Egyptian barn swallow (Hirundo rustica savignii), and house sparrow (Passer domesticus niloticus) was done. These bird species, which live in the coastal region of Damietta, have various feeding routines, habitat preferences, and mating strategies. In both the breeding and nonbreeding seasons, these wild birds were collected. Measurement of the levels of lead (Pb) in their liver, kidney, muscle, and feathers were evaluated. The results showed that females of laughing doves and barn swallows had significantly higher Pb concentrations than males, while males of house sparrows accumulated significantly higher Pb concentrations than females. This could be attributed to the active food search in both female laughing doves and swallows, and male sparrows. House sparrows, with the widest range of distribution near main roads, showed the highest concentration of Pb, especially in the liver, kidney, and feather than laughing doves and swallows, which prefer the wild rural areas. Histological examination of the gonads revealed unhealthy testes and ovaries. The ovarian tissue was less impacted than the testicular tissue, especially during the nonbreeding season. Compared to the dove and swallow, the sparrow's gonadal architectural histopathological findings were more noticeable. It seems that testes are more affected and more related to the results of lead measurements, and can be used as a bioindicator for heavy metal pollution. The findings offer also some proof of the house sparrow's potential as a biomonitor for urban heavy metal pollution. This research emphasises the significance of using biomonitors from various habitat types and feeding guilds.
The Bitter Lakes area locates between latitude 30° 00′ N to 30° 30′ N and longitude 31° 45′ E to ... more The Bitter Lakes area locates between latitude 30° 00′ N to 30° 30′ N and longitude 31° 45′ E to 32° 25′ E, and covers an area of about 1900km 2. The current study aims at evaluating the geotechnical suitability of lands for urban planning within the study area. Hence, a complete laboratory and in-situ testing programming are carried out. Based on the geological and physiographic nature of the terrane, the study area, is subdivided into three zones; these are the northern plain, the coastal plain of the Bitter Lakes, and the southern plain encompassing Cairo-Suez desert road. The general subsurface soil sequence at the northern plain includes intercalation of poorly graded sand to silty sand and sandy fat clay. The sandy soil and silty sand (types A: 1a, A:1b and A:2) are considered excellent to good as subgrades. The friction angle (:34.32°-41.4°) and shear strength (6.93-7.6psi) which have higher values, comparable to dense sand. The fat clay (kaolinite) soils have very high swelling potential. For pavement and construction purposes, this clay layer has bad geotechnical behavior, so it must be removed or fixed using Boring piles to depth enough to penetrate this layer. The general subsurface soil sequence at the coastal plain of Bitter Lakes includes intercalation of poorly graded sand and sandy fat clay. The poorly graded sand soil (type A:3) which is excellent to good as subgrade. The clay layer (CH) (Montmorillonite) (type A:7-6) has very high swelling potential; indicating a collapsible soil (:is 17.35 and q u is 2.660psi). The general subsurface soil sequence at the southern plain includes intercalation of poorly graded silty sand, sandy silt, sandy fat clay, silty sand, and well graded sand. The sandy silt layer has a slight to medium plasticity, which is non-collapsible soil. High compressive shear strength (6.575psi-8.42psi). The clay layer has low to high plasticity (kaolinite) and very high swelling potential. Based on the admitted California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values (sub-base: 30%, and base: 80%) at the three zones, the top sandy layer is neither suitable for base nor sub-base course. Also, according to soil texture analysis, interpretation of RapidEye satellite images, published soil maps of the study area, and field check, the most suitable and moderately suitable areas for urban purposes are localized at the northern plain. In addition to sporadic areas distributed along the coastal plain of the Bitter Lakes, as well as the central part of the study area.
One significant biotic barrier to crop production is weeds. The present study aims to analyze the... more One significant biotic barrier to crop production is weeds. The present study aims to analyze the weed vegetation associated with cultivated crops in the newly reclaimed lands in the three Suez Canal governorates (Ismailia, Suez and Port-Said). A total of 148 weed species (96 annuals and 52 perennials) belonging to 110 genera and 26 families were recorded. The most species-rich families were Poaceae, Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae and Fabaceae. Therophytes and Chamaephytes were the most prevailing lifeforms. The chorological analysis of the vegetation revealed that Cosmopolitan, Saharo-Sindian and Mediterranean chorotypes either pure or extended into other regions form the major component of the floristic structure. The application of TWINSPAN classification technique yielded four vegetation groups. These groups were dominated by Schismus barbatus, Senecio glaucus, Cynodon dactylon and Melilotus indicus. Biodiversity indices (species richness, Shannon's index, Simpson's index and Evenness index) indicated that vegetation group B was the most diversified among other groups. The ordination of stands in the study area by using DECORANA program showed that the vegetation groups obtained by TWINSAPAN are distinguishable and have a clear-cut pattern of segregation on the ordination diagrams. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated that soil texture, total nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulphates, electrical conductivity and organic matter were the main soil parameters which determined the distribution of weed vegetation in the study area.
Carbon steel is very important because it is widely used in many industrial and engineering field... more Carbon steel is very important because it is widely used in many industrial and engineering fields, such as oil and gas. However, engineering materials accounted for 85% of yearly steel production due to their accessibility and affordability. As a result of strict environmental rules and a growing ecological consciousness among scientists, "green" ways to minimize corrosion have been created. In the current study, burghul extract is demonstrated to be an effective corrosion inhibitor and was utilized as an environmentally acceptable anti-corrosive material for carbon steel in a 1M HCl solution. The effectiveness of mitigation methods such as mass loss, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, frequency modulation, and potentiodynamic polarization (PP) was calculated. Meanwhile, dispersion X-ray (EDX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods were used to analyze surfaces. Results obtained showed that temperature and extract concentration both affect how effective the mitigation is. The inhibition is attributed to the development of a protective layer that slows the dissolution of carbon steel at its surface. The Langmuir model was validated by the adsorption of burghul extract on steel. The adsorption of the extract affected both anodic and cathodic reactions. Tafel curves showed that burghul is a mixed inhibitor. The Nyquist curves confirmed that the burghul extract prevents the disintegration of steel in acidic media without changing the dissolution reaction mechanism. By using ATR-FTIR analysis and SEM inspection, the burghul extract's adsorption on the metal carbon steel was verified. A maximum inhibitory efficacy of 95% was reached at 313 K using 300 ppm of the Burghul extract, which is thought to be a promising result.
Watershed management is critical to sustainable development. The topographical, and hydrogeomorph... more Watershed management is critical to sustainable development. The topographical, and hydrogeomorphological conditions in the western part of the Luxor region give rise to sudden floods. The purpose of the present study is to map the flood hazard zones in the western part of Luxor by using: 1-linear Watershed Index Model (LWIM) through the identification of 24 morphometric parameters; 2-DEM, as input to the GIS environment, using the Arc hydro-Tool; 3-Remote sensing (RS), is built into GIS to detect LU /LC via supervised classification of Landsat images, for the year 1991/2021, and Dreanig density (Dd) maps; 4-Integration of LWIM, Dd, and LU/LC maps. Results indicated that agricultural land increased by approximately (292.7 km 2), while urbanization increased by (43 km 2) between 1991 and 2021, expanding toward the western structure plateau. This study concluded that flood areas west of Luxor are confined to the desert area west of cities Luxor-Arment, and Isna. These areas represent 13.25 % of the hazard flooding zones. The study proposed to establish small dams with diversion channels in the way of the mainstream channels with high orders 4 th and directed the water of flood to new canals which joined with the main canals in the study area, redesign of the desert zone west of Luxor.
The current study aimed to assess the feasibility of using agricultural waste (rice straw), along... more The current study aimed to assess the feasibility of using agricultural waste (rice straw), along-with sand and gravel (treatment system A), to treat grey wastewater in comparison to other treatment systems (B, C, and D), which contain diverse treatment media, like sand and gravel only, activated carbon beside sand and gravel, and fired clay along-with sand and gravel, respectively, as wastewater filters. Grey wastewater samples were collected from three selected homes in Damietta Governorate, Egypt, and treated using the four different treatment systems. According to the standard methods of analyses, some physico-chemical characteristics of the grey wastewater, including: temperature, pH, turbidity, TDS, EC, NH 3 , O.P, BOD, and COD, were examined before and after the treatment. Moreover, microbiological characteristics such as TBC, TC, and E. coli were also inspected. The results showed that the physico-chemical characteristics of the treated grey wastewater via the applied treatment systems complied with the ESL for effluents discharged to the sewer systems. The outcomes revealed that the cost-effective treatment system (A) was the best in removing some physico-chemical characteristics compared to the other applied systems, especially in removing BOD, TDS, and EC with mean percent removal of 77.54±4.21%, 47.74±17.62%, and 45.84±16.96%, respectively. Simultaneously, this system achieved good elimination of Turbidity, COD, NH 3 , and OP with mean removal rates of 86.14±10.49%, 84.76±1.77%, 74.5±16.11%, and 71.77±8.12%, successively. Moreover, it has substantially removed some microbiological characteristics from the grey wastewater without disinfection and attained removal rates of 94.42% and 69.33% for E. coli and TBC, respectively.
Climate change is a critical worldwide concern that affects every aspect of existence and all liv... more Climate change is a critical worldwide concern that affects every aspect of existence and all living beings. The study of climate change's impact on invasive species has piqued the interest of researchers worldwide due to the possible ramifications for biodiversity and vulnerable species protection. Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steud. (Poaceae) is regarded as one of the most crucial invaders with a high tolerance for climate change impacts, particularly increased salinity, temperature, and atmospheric CO 2 , which may alter the surrounding ecosystems, and its uncontrolled spread may result in biodiversity deterioration. Because of its ecological importance and applications, common reed requires sustainable management to reap the majority of its benefits without damaging the environment, which requires a thorough understanding of its behavior in light of climate change. The following review article intends to investigate the response of the common reed to significant climate change factors including as salinity, temperature, and atmospheric CO 2 in Egypt, as well as to highlight rehabilitation solutions. Therefore, it is projected that the common reed population would continue to grow under the current climate change key drivers in Egypt, necessitating greater mitigation and adaption procedures from the government, academia, and society.
Wild medicinal plants have gain attention due to their active secondary metabolites that possess ... more Wild medicinal plants have gain attention due to their active secondary metabolites that possess distinctive therapeutic and pharmacological properties. This study focused on estimating the phytochemical content of Phlomis floccosa D. Don and Glebionis coronaria (L.) Cass. ex Spach, two medicinal plant species collected from Marsa Matrouh City in Egypt. Water, methanol, and petroleum ether extracts were prepared from both species for antioxidant activity assessment using the DPPH assay method. Additionally, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry was utilized to identify essential oils present in the aerial part of both species while antibacterial activity against nine isolates was also evaluated. Our results revealed that water extracts of P. floccosa and G.coronaria contained higher amounts of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins than other extract types tested. In terms of essential oil components, P. floccosa's aqueous extraction yielded 19 oxygenated as well as non-oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds; whereas, G. coronaria's extracted oil contained forty-six volatile compounds including 17 hydrocarbons, five terpenes, eighteen fatty acids/lipids, six steroids etc., respectively. Finally, in relation to antimicrobial effects observed: Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were inhibited by water extract of P. floccosa; on the other hand, G. coronaria exhibited inhibitory effects against Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. epidermidis by the use of its aqueous or methanolic solvent systems. Generally, it can be concluded that these plant species may provide promising sources of natural products with antioxidant and antibacterial activities
The present study aims to optimize the disinfection process at the El-Nobarya water treatment pla... more The present study aims to optimize the disinfection process at the El-Nobarya water treatment plant by developing a disinfection profile and utilizing CT tables as a secondary strategy, along with enhanced coagulation (EC), to achieve a constant reduction in Trihalomethanes (THM) levels and ensure adequate pathogen removal. Temperature effect was studied as chlorine profile was calculated based on highest and lowest water temperature recorded in the plant. Plant processes configuration (baffling factor) and efficiency (log removal) role in reducing chlorine dose by increasing contact time and reducing the log removal required was also determined. The results of disinfection profile revealed that more than 30 log inactivation of Giardia in summer and 11 log inactivation in winter was achieved by disinfection process. The log inactivation was reduced to 8 log in summer and 2.7 log in winter consequently. THM was reduced by more than 50%, even with high temperature and natural organic matter (NOM) level. Moreover, Giardia cysts were completely absent in the treated water. Chlorine dose was reduced from 8 to 5-5.5 gm/m³ with saving of 13000 EP /month. The results of the present study will help operators, consultants, and government agencies to reduce Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) for existing, upgrading, and new water distribution systems in Egypt.
The amount of non-biodegradable plastic waste on our planet is enormous. Natural materials like b... more The amount of non-biodegradable plastic waste on our planet is enormous. Natural materials like biomaterials are among the finest replacements for manmade plastics. In order to assist microorganisms resist severe environments, certain microbes generate bioplastics, which are lipid polyesters that build up as storage materials. The primary goal of this investigation was to isolate and characterize cultivable bacteria and fungi capable of producing bioplastics from North Sinai from different sources, such as saline soil, olive pomace, landfills, and seawater. Seven bacterial and five fungal isolates were selected from a total of 108 isolates to assay for PHB production and the selected isolates were stained with Sudan Black B for PHB formation, while Nile Blue A staining was used to detect the presence of PHA granules. All promising bacterial isolates with the highest PHB accumulation were identified as Halomonas, Lysinibacillus, Mesobacillus, Paracoccus, Paraliobacillus, Glutamicibacter, and Aquamicrobium; most fungal isolates were yeasts, identified as Rhodotorula, Hortaea, Meyerozyma, and Sarocladium by morphological and biochemical characterization and confirmed by molecular techniques.
The impacts of different light intensities on the phenotypic plasticity of several plant features... more The impacts of different light intensities on the phenotypic plasticity of several plant features in two Vicia faba varieties (Sakha1 and Giza Blanca) were explored for the genotype-environment interaction of specific traits. Plants from both genotypes were grown for 28 days in four distinct light conditions: 550 mol m-2 s-1 , 850 mol m-2 s-1 , 1200 mol m-2 s-1 , and 1800 mol m-2 s-1 , then after, various measurements were conducted. For variables measured including leaf width, shoot fresh and dry weight, and root fresh and dry weight, both genotypes showed comparable plasticity responses, showing no genotype-environment interaction for these traits. However, Sakha1 outperformed Giza Blanca in terms of leaf count, stomatal density of the abaxial surface, and root/shoot ratio as light intensity increased. The plasticity of a particular leaf area implied morphogenetic regulation for both genotypes and showed that leaves tended to expand their leaf area in low light conditions in order to capture more light. In contrast, these plants developed significantly thicker leaves when exposed to high light intensities.
Aminoglycosides (AMG) are a significant class of antibiotics frequently used with ß-lactams in th... more Aminoglycosides (AMG) are a significant class of antibiotics frequently used with ß-lactams in the management of severe infections brought on by both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The clinical efficacy of these antibiotics is currently under jeopardy due to rising Gram-negative bacteria's aminoglycoside resistance. An significant insight into the possible difficulties of treating bacteria comes from the characterization of the gene profiles for antibiotic resistance. E. coli and K. pneumoniae were subjected to a rapid-multiplex-PCR assay to look into the genes producing aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (AMEs) and assess how common these resistance genes were. The disc diffusion method (Kirby-bauer) was used to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of 95 bacterial strains against gentamicin, amikacin, neomycin, and tobramycin, with 54 strains of K. pneumoniae and 41 strains of E. coli making up the total. Three distinct sets of primers, aph(3), ant(2), and aac(6), were used in standard multiplex PCR to target AMG resistance genes. Ten distinct resistance patterns for E. coli and K. pneumoniae were found after an analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility tests against AMG for tested bacteria. The most common AME-genes in K. pneumoniae, according to the mPCR, were aac(6) and ant(2) (77.78% for both), followed by aph(3) (48.15%). While among E. coli isolates, aac(6) (75.61%), ant(2) (56.1%), and aph(3) (48.78%) had the highest prevalence of AME-gene resistance. Each isolate of E. coli and K. pneumoniae gained one or more drug-resistant genes, according to the results of the multiplex-PCR. It was hypothesised that the same resistance gene was horizontally spread between other bacterial species.
Wind farms along bird migration routes may be very hazardous. During the spring migration season ... more Wind farms along bird migration routes may be very hazardous. During the spring migration season in 2020, a study on the collision of bat and bird species was carried out on the KFW 240 MW (120 WTGs) wind farm. Direct inspections by searchers and unsystematic line transect searches with autos were used in the carcass searches technique. To examine the collected data, the GenEst estimator was used. During a systematic search, six bird carcasses/remains were discovered, three of which belonged to migratory soaring birds (MSB) with the least concern status. During the unsystematic search, two MSB and one Passerine carcasses were discovered, but no bat carcasses were found as collision victims. Furthermore, no bird or bat carcasses were detected beneath the high voltage powerlines that run parallel to the wind farm. Carcass persistence trials revealed that MSB lasted 23.92 days while little passerines lasted 3 days. The detection probability for all decay types was 87.2, 93.3 % for MSB, and 41.9 % for tiny Passerines. Moreover, the final fatality estimation for the plant and its structures was 0.084 MSB fatality/ turbine/ season, 0.166 Passerine/ turbine/ season.
The COVID-19 pandemic had scarcely made an impact on the world as of the beginning of 2020, altho... more The COVID-19 pandemic had scarcely made an impact on the world as of the beginning of 2020, although it has quickly spread over the universe since it was first detected in early December 2019. By mid-March 2021, the COVID-19 had practically hit every country on the earth. As a primary precaution to prevent the spread of disease and mortality, some nations have implemented quarantines and the suspension of many activities. The termination of these activities has resulted in significant economic losses. However, it has been widely reported that these steps have improved air quality, particularly in highly polluted areas with considerable populations and industrial activity. Worldwide reports and verification of lower carbon, nitrogen, sulphur, and particulate matter emissions have been made in relation with shutdown times. On the other hand, it has been revealed that ozone levels in the ambient air have increased, owing mostly to lower nitrogen emissions. Furthermore, it has been claimed that natural water resources have higher water quality. Wastewater treatment plants have reported an increase in organic load with persistent chemicals as a result of increased use of sanitizers, disinfectants, and antibiotics. In general, the qualitative and quantitative volumes of solid waste, created as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, have both increased. This study presents and summarises the environmental impacts of COVID-19 as recorded in the literature for various countries throughout the world, which provides a comprehensive perspective of the COVID-19's environmental consequences.
Malaria parasites undergo a sequential series of developmental changes as they traverse and invad... more Malaria parasites undergo a sequential series of developmental changes as they traverse and invade various tissues of both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts. These developmental changes are reflected in the parasites' morphology, infectivity, gene expression patterns, as well as levels. Midgut and hemolymph sporozoites are completely different from those of salivary gland ones in that they are less capable for infecting their hosts and are less motile. The mosquito factors triggering those developmental changes during, and post salivary gland invasion are largely unknown. To identify and characterise mosquito factors that trigger those essential developmental changes in Plasmodium berghei and strengthen sporozoite development to infect their mammalian host, a UIS4:mCherry-containing line of P. berghei (PbANKA-Cherry-2204c1) that only has visible mCherry expression following salivary gland invasion, was treated in vitro with adult female mosquito tissue homogenates. The data obtained from using female Anopheles stephensi salivary gland homogenate shows the expression of mCherry protein as red fluorescence in about 70% of treated sporozoites in vitro. Anopheles stephensi midgut homogenate (non-specific tissue), and Aedes aegyptie salivary gland homogenate (non-vector salivary gland) were used as well as UIS4, UIS7, and mCherry genes expression were compared with midgut sporozoites. Treated sporozoites have a transcription profile of the tested genes like that of salivary gland sporozoites. Although the variables causing Plasmodium development following mosquito salivary gland invasion may not be influenced by mosquito species, it does show tissue specificity. As a result, the salivary gland's function as a gateway and invasion is the most crucial and specific phase in disease transmission.
Water quality and quantity have diminished in the agricultural area of west Luxor due to excessiv... more Water quality and quantity have diminished in the agricultural area of west Luxor due to excessive water use and land management techniques. The current study intends to monitor the hydrogeochemical processes of water resources in Egypt's west Luxor area. In August 2021, 79 surface, shallow, and groundwater samples were collected in the study area. In this investigation, three statistical techniques were used: classical, cluster hydrogeochemical statistical analysis (CA), and geo-statistical analysis. Water characteristics are mapped using the Kriging method, which is a Geo-Statistical tool in ArcMap 10.4.1. The laboratory results of the Piper trainer diagram integration (CA) and geo-statistical prediction maps showed that cations (Na + > Ca 2+ > Mg 2+ > K +) and anions (Cl-> SO 4 2-> HCO 3-> CO 3 2-) dominated. The majority of water types in all samples were Na-Cl, Mixed Na-Cl-HCO 3 , Mixed Na-Cl-SO 4 , and Mixed Na-Ca-Mg-HCO 3. Prediction maps coincide with hydro-geochemical statistical analysis, which showed that salts and measured heavy metals (Fe, Mn, Co, Ni, Cd, Pb, As) levels in groundwater and shallow water samples were greater than those of Egyptian Standard Limits, while surface water had high pH, HCO-, and CO 3 2levels, indicating pollution sources. As a result, this study found that combining geostatistical and classical hydrogeochemical statistical analysis produced a good assessment of both natural water processes and water quality in the west Luxor area.
The Caraway, Carum carvi essential oil was assessed to behave as natural control of bee parasitic... more The Caraway, Carum carvi essential oil was assessed to behave as natural control of bee parasitic mite, Varroa destructor during fall season instead of chemicals methods. Caraway oil (100%) was used and compared to the synthetic acaricide; Apistan. The number of fallen mites and infestation percentages on both adult and brood were estimated regarding the effects of essential oil on honeybees Apis mellifera. The essential oil from C. carvi seeds were extracted by hydro distillation and characterized by GC/MS. Sixteen compounds were identified representing; 97.33% of the oil. The predominant components were Limonene (38.81%), Carvone (35.43 %), α-Myrcene (7.3%), Dihydrocarvone (5.58%) and Limonene oxide (5.13%). The infestation reduction percentages, recorded with Caraway oil, reached 84.42% and 70.65% on adult and brood workers after 21 days of treatments with no statistical difference with Apistan. The mean numbers of fallen Varroa mites were (67.67) and (74.65) in hives treated by essential oil and Apistan, respectively. The immune response of honeybee workers and pupa revealed significant elevation in phenol oxidase activity with Caraway oil however, remarkable inhibition in the enzyme activity observed with workers exposed to Apistan. The comet assay performed on worker honeybee as a biomarker of DNA damage; revealed statistically significant increase in DNA damage caused with Apistan (20.1%) and infested bee (21.64 %) compared to corresponding one treated with Caraway essential oil (12.4%) and control (9.6%). Caraway essential oil proved a safe way as natural controlling of Varoaa destructive with keep guard of honeybee social life and fit into IPM programs
Brassica campestris is a typical daily crop grown all over the world as a source of fodder, veget... more Brassica campestris is a typical daily crop grown all over the world as a source of fodder, vegetables, and oil. The allelopathic effects of Populus nigra L. and Melia azedarach L. extracted leaves on seed germination and growth performance of Brassica campestris L. were studied in the field and in the laboratory. Seeds of Brassica campestris were seeded in pots in the field, whereas seeds sown in tap water were considered as a control. Different leave weight, of both P. nigra L. and M. azedarach was used and mixed with soil separately, to test their allopathic effects. Growth parameters including stem height, stem diameter, leaf number, number of internodes, internodal length, fresh and dry weight of the stem, and 1000 seed-weight were investigated. Number of flowers per plant; and inflorescence size were also considered. The results revealed that all measured parameters of B. campestris were negatively influenced, with the exception of internodal length, which was found to be positively affected. Seeds treated with plant extracts showed an inhibitory effect on seed germination which was directly proportional with doses of leaves weight used. In laboratory experiments, the allelopathic effects of P. nigra aqueous extract on seed germination (%) as well as growth performance of germinated seed, expressed as plumule length and radicle length, of B. campestris were reported. Parallel to the field experiment, a high dose of leaf weight extracted from dried leaves greatly decreased seed germination (%) and growth measured parameters, which are proportional to extracted leaf weight.
The goal of this study was to identify potential sites in the Bitter Lakes region for urban and a... more The goal of this study was to identify potential sites in the Bitter Lakes region for urban and agricultural development. Residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial lands are the four categories of urban land. Agrarian, parks, and green zones are examples of cultivated lands. Economic, social, and environmental factors are the key dimensions of Egypt's 2030 Sustainable Development Strategy. Economic development is the most significant and highest priority dimension, which comprises developing agricultural areas, supporting agro-industry (national industry), and constructing new urban settlements in order to accomplish integrated development. The suitable lands for future development were selected according to geomorphological, hydrological, environmental, social, and geological parameters. These parameters were used to create geospatial database for the study area. To avoid any future problems might be resulting from mis-planning, accurate and modern land use planning principals, field work, laboratory tests and analyses, remote sensing, and GIS techniques were integrated. To get the final highly suitable lands for development; analytical hierarchy process (AHP) steps were applied. AHP used to identify the best suitable lands from a set of alternatives with respect to several criteria and their weights. Finally, the research area was separated into three major zones to design the urban master plan: core urban zone, outer urban zone, and outskirts zone.
Over the past several decades, a persistent and gradual elevation in atmospheric carbon dioxide (... more Over the past several decades, a persistent and gradual elevation in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2) concentration has been observed. This rise in CO 2 levels contributes to the greenhouse effect, resulting in the trapping of more heat at the planet's surface and subsequent global warming. Based on current trends, it is projected that the global temperature will rise by approximately 1.5 °C between the years 2030 and 2052. In light of this, it becomes imperative to mitigate global warming by undertaking substantial actions to reduce CO 2 emissions. One approach to address this challenge is the sequestration of carbon dioxide, whereby it is captured from the atmosphere and utilized to produce valuable products. This has the potential to not only reduce the amount of CO 2 in the atmosphere but also lower the cost associated with emissions reduction. Carbon dioxide, when present above ambient levels, can be directly employed in processes such as enhanced oil recovery, where it is injected into oil wells. Additionally, it can be chemically transformed into materials, chemicals, or fuels, such as methanol, cement, biochar, and fuel production. While no single technology can fully address climate change, several innovative approaches have been developed to assist in reducing atmospheric CO 2 levels. These include direct air capture, cloud treatment, biomass-based construction, restoration of blue carbon habitats, and enhanced weathering. These methods and strategies for carbon dioxide sequestration are explored and described in order to counteract the adverse effects of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases on climate change and global warming. It is crucial to recognize that numerous industries and companies play a substantial role in generating CO 2 emissions. Nonetheless, it is feasible to mitigate the concentration of this gas through various measures, both pre and post-emission, thereby reducing its impact on the environment. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and describe innovative approaches and strategies for carbon dioxide sequestration in order to mitigate the adverse effects of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases on climate change and global warming.
Anthropogenic contamination is spreading through every environment on the planet that affects the... more Anthropogenic contamination is spreading through every environment on the planet that affects the whole biota. Negative effects have been observed recently in a number of taxa, including birds. Birds are crucial as bioindicators as one of the best studied groups of organisms because they are noticeable, relatively simple to observe, and the subject of public interest and concern. Therefore, evaluation of lead (Pb) levels in the liver, muscle, kidney, and feathers of laughing dove (Streptopelia senegalensis), Egyptian barn swallow (Hirundo rustica savignii), and house sparrow (Passer domesticus niloticus) was done. These bird species, which live in the coastal region of Damietta, have various feeding routines, habitat preferences, and mating strategies. In both the breeding and nonbreeding seasons, these wild birds were collected. Measurement of the levels of lead (Pb) in their liver, kidney, muscle, and feathers were evaluated. The results showed that females of laughing doves and barn swallows had significantly higher Pb concentrations than males, while males of house sparrows accumulated significantly higher Pb concentrations than females. This could be attributed to the active food search in both female laughing doves and swallows, and male sparrows. House sparrows, with the widest range of distribution near main roads, showed the highest concentration of Pb, especially in the liver, kidney, and feather than laughing doves and swallows, which prefer the wild rural areas. Histological examination of the gonads revealed unhealthy testes and ovaries. The ovarian tissue was less impacted than the testicular tissue, especially during the nonbreeding season. Compared to the dove and swallow, the sparrow's gonadal architectural histopathological findings were more noticeable. It seems that testes are more affected and more related to the results of lead measurements, and can be used as a bioindicator for heavy metal pollution. The findings offer also some proof of the house sparrow's potential as a biomonitor for urban heavy metal pollution. This research emphasises the significance of using biomonitors from various habitat types and feeding guilds.
The Bitter Lakes area locates between latitude 30° 00′ N to 30° 30′ N and longitude 31° 45′ E to ... more The Bitter Lakes area locates between latitude 30° 00′ N to 30° 30′ N and longitude 31° 45′ E to 32° 25′ E, and covers an area of about 1900km 2. The current study aims at evaluating the geotechnical suitability of lands for urban planning within the study area. Hence, a complete laboratory and in-situ testing programming are carried out. Based on the geological and physiographic nature of the terrane, the study area, is subdivided into three zones; these are the northern plain, the coastal plain of the Bitter Lakes, and the southern plain encompassing Cairo-Suez desert road. The general subsurface soil sequence at the northern plain includes intercalation of poorly graded sand to silty sand and sandy fat clay. The sandy soil and silty sand (types A: 1a, A:1b and A:2) are considered excellent to good as subgrades. The friction angle (:34.32°-41.4°) and shear strength (6.93-7.6psi) which have higher values, comparable to dense sand. The fat clay (kaolinite) soils have very high swelling potential. For pavement and construction purposes, this clay layer has bad geotechnical behavior, so it must be removed or fixed using Boring piles to depth enough to penetrate this layer. The general subsurface soil sequence at the coastal plain of Bitter Lakes includes intercalation of poorly graded sand and sandy fat clay. The poorly graded sand soil (type A:3) which is excellent to good as subgrade. The clay layer (CH) (Montmorillonite) (type A:7-6) has very high swelling potential; indicating a collapsible soil (:is 17.35 and q u is 2.660psi). The general subsurface soil sequence at the southern plain includes intercalation of poorly graded silty sand, sandy silt, sandy fat clay, silty sand, and well graded sand. The sandy silt layer has a slight to medium plasticity, which is non-collapsible soil. High compressive shear strength (6.575psi-8.42psi). The clay layer has low to high plasticity (kaolinite) and very high swelling potential. Based on the admitted California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values (sub-base: 30%, and base: 80%) at the three zones, the top sandy layer is neither suitable for base nor sub-base course. Also, according to soil texture analysis, interpretation of RapidEye satellite images, published soil maps of the study area, and field check, the most suitable and moderately suitable areas for urban purposes are localized at the northern plain. In addition to sporadic areas distributed along the coastal plain of the Bitter Lakes, as well as the central part of the study area.
One significant biotic barrier to crop production is weeds. The present study aims to analyze the... more One significant biotic barrier to crop production is weeds. The present study aims to analyze the weed vegetation associated with cultivated crops in the newly reclaimed lands in the three Suez Canal governorates (Ismailia, Suez and Port-Said). A total of 148 weed species (96 annuals and 52 perennials) belonging to 110 genera and 26 families were recorded. The most species-rich families were Poaceae, Asteraceae, Amaranthaceae and Fabaceae. Therophytes and Chamaephytes were the most prevailing lifeforms. The chorological analysis of the vegetation revealed that Cosmopolitan, Saharo-Sindian and Mediterranean chorotypes either pure or extended into other regions form the major component of the floristic structure. The application of TWINSPAN classification technique yielded four vegetation groups. These groups were dominated by Schismus barbatus, Senecio glaucus, Cynodon dactylon and Melilotus indicus. Biodiversity indices (species richness, Shannon's index, Simpson's index and Evenness index) indicated that vegetation group B was the most diversified among other groups. The ordination of stands in the study area by using DECORANA program showed that the vegetation groups obtained by TWINSAPAN are distinguishable and have a clear-cut pattern of segregation on the ordination diagrams. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated that soil texture, total nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulphates, electrical conductivity and organic matter were the main soil parameters which determined the distribution of weed vegetation in the study area.
Carbon steel is very important because it is widely used in many industrial and engineering field... more Carbon steel is very important because it is widely used in many industrial and engineering fields, such as oil and gas. However, engineering materials accounted for 85% of yearly steel production due to their accessibility and affordability. As a result of strict environmental rules and a growing ecological consciousness among scientists, "green" ways to minimize corrosion have been created. In the current study, burghul extract is demonstrated to be an effective corrosion inhibitor and was utilized as an environmentally acceptable anti-corrosive material for carbon steel in a 1M HCl solution. The effectiveness of mitigation methods such as mass loss, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, frequency modulation, and potentiodynamic polarization (PP) was calculated. Meanwhile, dispersion X-ray (EDX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods were used to analyze surfaces. Results obtained showed that temperature and extract concentration both affect how effective the mitigation is. The inhibition is attributed to the development of a protective layer that slows the dissolution of carbon steel at its surface. The Langmuir model was validated by the adsorption of burghul extract on steel. The adsorption of the extract affected both anodic and cathodic reactions. Tafel curves showed that burghul is a mixed inhibitor. The Nyquist curves confirmed that the burghul extract prevents the disintegration of steel in acidic media without changing the dissolution reaction mechanism. By using ATR-FTIR analysis and SEM inspection, the burghul extract's adsorption on the metal carbon steel was verified. A maximum inhibitory efficacy of 95% was reached at 313 K using 300 ppm of the Burghul extract, which is thought to be a promising result.
Watershed management is critical to sustainable development. The topographical, and hydrogeomorph... more Watershed management is critical to sustainable development. The topographical, and hydrogeomorphological conditions in the western part of the Luxor region give rise to sudden floods. The purpose of the present study is to map the flood hazard zones in the western part of Luxor by using: 1-linear Watershed Index Model (LWIM) through the identification of 24 morphometric parameters; 2-DEM, as input to the GIS environment, using the Arc hydro-Tool; 3-Remote sensing (RS), is built into GIS to detect LU /LC via supervised classification of Landsat images, for the year 1991/2021, and Dreanig density (Dd) maps; 4-Integration of LWIM, Dd, and LU/LC maps. Results indicated that agricultural land increased by approximately (292.7 km 2), while urbanization increased by (43 km 2) between 1991 and 2021, expanding toward the western structure plateau. This study concluded that flood areas west of Luxor are confined to the desert area west of cities Luxor-Arment, and Isna. These areas represent 13.25 % of the hazard flooding zones. The study proposed to establish small dams with diversion channels in the way of the mainstream channels with high orders 4 th and directed the water of flood to new canals which joined with the main canals in the study area, redesign of the desert zone west of Luxor.
The current study aimed to assess the feasibility of using agricultural waste (rice straw), along... more The current study aimed to assess the feasibility of using agricultural waste (rice straw), along-with sand and gravel (treatment system A), to treat grey wastewater in comparison to other treatment systems (B, C, and D), which contain diverse treatment media, like sand and gravel only, activated carbon beside sand and gravel, and fired clay along-with sand and gravel, respectively, as wastewater filters. Grey wastewater samples were collected from three selected homes in Damietta Governorate, Egypt, and treated using the four different treatment systems. According to the standard methods of analyses, some physico-chemical characteristics of the grey wastewater, including: temperature, pH, turbidity, TDS, EC, NH 3 , O.P, BOD, and COD, were examined before and after the treatment. Moreover, microbiological characteristics such as TBC, TC, and E. coli were also inspected. The results showed that the physico-chemical characteristics of the treated grey wastewater via the applied treatment systems complied with the ESL for effluents discharged to the sewer systems. The outcomes revealed that the cost-effective treatment system (A) was the best in removing some physico-chemical characteristics compared to the other applied systems, especially in removing BOD, TDS, and EC with mean percent removal of 77.54±4.21%, 47.74±17.62%, and 45.84±16.96%, respectively. Simultaneously, this system achieved good elimination of Turbidity, COD, NH 3 , and OP with mean removal rates of 86.14±10.49%, 84.76±1.77%, 74.5±16.11%, and 71.77±8.12%, successively. Moreover, it has substantially removed some microbiological characteristics from the grey wastewater without disinfection and attained removal rates of 94.42% and 69.33% for E. coli and TBC, respectively.
Climate change is a critical worldwide concern that affects every aspect of existence and all liv... more Climate change is a critical worldwide concern that affects every aspect of existence and all living beings. The study of climate change's impact on invasive species has piqued the interest of researchers worldwide due to the possible ramifications for biodiversity and vulnerable species protection. Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. Ex Steud. (Poaceae) is regarded as one of the most crucial invaders with a high tolerance for climate change impacts, particularly increased salinity, temperature, and atmospheric CO 2 , which may alter the surrounding ecosystems, and its uncontrolled spread may result in biodiversity deterioration. Because of its ecological importance and applications, common reed requires sustainable management to reap the majority of its benefits without damaging the environment, which requires a thorough understanding of its behavior in light of climate change. The following review article intends to investigate the response of the common reed to significant climate change factors including as salinity, temperature, and atmospheric CO 2 in Egypt, as well as to highlight rehabilitation solutions. Therefore, it is projected that the common reed population would continue to grow under the current climate change key drivers in Egypt, necessitating greater mitigation and adaption procedures from the government, academia, and society.
Wild medicinal plants have gain attention due to their active secondary metabolites that possess ... more Wild medicinal plants have gain attention due to their active secondary metabolites that possess distinctive therapeutic and pharmacological properties. This study focused on estimating the phytochemical content of Phlomis floccosa D. Don and Glebionis coronaria (L.) Cass. ex Spach, two medicinal plant species collected from Marsa Matrouh City in Egypt. Water, methanol, and petroleum ether extracts were prepared from both species for antioxidant activity assessment using the DPPH assay method. Additionally, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry was utilized to identify essential oils present in the aerial part of both species while antibacterial activity against nine isolates was also evaluated. Our results revealed that water extracts of P. floccosa and G.coronaria contained higher amounts of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and saponins than other extract types tested. In terms of essential oil components, P. floccosa's aqueous extraction yielded 19 oxygenated as well as non-oxygenated hydrocarbon compounds; whereas, G. coronaria's extracted oil contained forty-six volatile compounds including 17 hydrocarbons, five terpenes, eighteen fatty acids/lipids, six steroids etc., respectively. Finally, in relation to antimicrobial effects observed: Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were inhibited by water extract of P. floccosa; on the other hand, G. coronaria exhibited inhibitory effects against Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and S. epidermidis by the use of its aqueous or methanolic solvent systems. Generally, it can be concluded that these plant species may provide promising sources of natural products with antioxidant and antibacterial activities
The present study aims to optimize the disinfection process at the El-Nobarya water treatment pla... more The present study aims to optimize the disinfection process at the El-Nobarya water treatment plant by developing a disinfection profile and utilizing CT tables as a secondary strategy, along with enhanced coagulation (EC), to achieve a constant reduction in Trihalomethanes (THM) levels and ensure adequate pathogen removal. Temperature effect was studied as chlorine profile was calculated based on highest and lowest water temperature recorded in the plant. Plant processes configuration (baffling factor) and efficiency (log removal) role in reducing chlorine dose by increasing contact time and reducing the log removal required was also determined. The results of disinfection profile revealed that more than 30 log inactivation of Giardia in summer and 11 log inactivation in winter was achieved by disinfection process. The log inactivation was reduced to 8 log in summer and 2.7 log in winter consequently. THM was reduced by more than 50%, even with high temperature and natural organic matter (NOM) level. Moreover, Giardia cysts were completely absent in the treated water. Chlorine dose was reduced from 8 to 5-5.5 gm/m³ with saving of 13000 EP /month. The results of the present study will help operators, consultants, and government agencies to reduce Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) for existing, upgrading, and new water distribution systems in Egypt.
The amount of non-biodegradable plastic waste on our planet is enormous. Natural materials like b... more The amount of non-biodegradable plastic waste on our planet is enormous. Natural materials like biomaterials are among the finest replacements for manmade plastics. In order to assist microorganisms resist severe environments, certain microbes generate bioplastics, which are lipid polyesters that build up as storage materials. The primary goal of this investigation was to isolate and characterize cultivable bacteria and fungi capable of producing bioplastics from North Sinai from different sources, such as saline soil, olive pomace, landfills, and seawater. Seven bacterial and five fungal isolates were selected from a total of 108 isolates to assay for PHB production and the selected isolates were stained with Sudan Black B for PHB formation, while Nile Blue A staining was used to detect the presence of PHA granules. All promising bacterial isolates with the highest PHB accumulation were identified as Halomonas, Lysinibacillus, Mesobacillus, Paracoccus, Paraliobacillus, Glutamicibacter, and Aquamicrobium; most fungal isolates were yeasts, identified as Rhodotorula, Hortaea, Meyerozyma, and Sarocladium by morphological and biochemical characterization and confirmed by molecular techniques.
The contribution of soil seed bank of a desert endemic plant species in maintaining genetic diver... more The contribution of soil seed bank of a desert endemic plant species in maintaining genetic diversity has been addressed in this paper through investigating the differences in genetic diversity and structure (using AFLP markers) between plants grown from soil seed bank and standing crop plants within and among five populations of H. sinaicum growing at St. Katherine Protectorate, southern Sinai, Egypt. Standard genetic diversity measures showed that the molecular variation within and among populations was highly significantly different between standing crop and soil seed bank. While soil seed bank had lower genetic diversity than standing crop populations, pooling soil seed bank with standing crop samples resulted in higher diversity. The results revealed also that soil seed bank had lower differentiation (7 %) than among populations of the standing crop (18 %). Results of neighbor-joining, Bayesian clustering and principal coordinate analysis showed that soil seed banks had a separate gene pool different from standing crop. The study came to the conclusion that the genetic variation of the soil seed bank contributes significantly to the genetic variation of the species. This also stresses the importance of elucidating the genetic diversity and structure of the soil seed bank for any sound and long-term conservation efforts for desert species. These have been growing in small-size populations for a long time that any estimates gained only from aboveground sampling of populations may be ambiguous.
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