Biomarkers are one of the most important hydrocarbon groups in petroleum. Biomarkers can be detec... more Biomarkers are one of the most important hydrocarbon groups in petroleum. Biomarkers can be detected in low quantities (ppm and sub-ppm level) in the presence of a wide variety of other types of petroleum hydrocarbons by the use of the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Relative to other hydrocarbon groups in oil such as alkanes and most aromatic compounds, biomarkers are more degradation-resistant in the environment. Furthermore, biomarkers formed under different geological conditions and ages may exhibit different biomarker fingerprints. Therefore, chemical analysis of biomarkers generates information of great importance to environmental forensic investigations in terms of determining the source of spilled oil, differentiating and correlating oils, and monitoring the degradation process and weathering state of oils under a wide variety of conditions. This article briefly reviews biomarker chemistry, biomarker characterization and quantification, biomarker distributions, weathering effects on biomarker composition, bicyclic biomarker sesquiterpanes and diamondoids, diagnostic ratios and cross-plots of biomarkers, unique biomarkers, application of biomarker fingerprinting techniques for spill source identification, and application of multivariate statistical analysis for biomarker fingerprinting.
Geochemists and geologists working with environmental assessment teams have multiple missions: (1... more Geochemists and geologists working with environmental assessment teams have multiple missions: (1) to predict potential pollution problems that could occur; (2) to resolve newly identified or suddenly high profile short- or long-term contamination problems to minimize the impact on the living ecosystem; and (3) to evaluate remediation that might be proposed in light of the practical and future impacts on the environment.Manzalah lagoon, northeast Nile delta, Egypt, has an area of ⪢ 1000 km2, an average depth of 1 m, and yields ⪢ 35% of Egypt's aquacultural production (40 000 metric tons). Half of this is from the 40 km2 Ginka sub-basin. The upper 20 cm of Ginka sub-basin clay-size sediment, deposited after the 1964 closure of the Aswan High Dam, is a sink with significant metal loading (e.g. Hg to 822 ppb; Pb to 110 ppm; plus Zn, Cu, Sn, and Ag). The metals originate from industrial wastes discharged with sewage into Bahr El-Baqar drain which empties into the Ginka sub-basin. Food fish cultivated here can bioaccumulate the metals and pass them up the food web to humans.Bioremediation as part of a managed, engineered wetlands has been proposed as an economic alternative to investment in costly waste treatment facilities and maintenance to abate the heavy metals input to Manzalah lagoon. This approach requires geochemical input for the safe use or secure disposal of the heavy-metal-bearing products of bioremediation. For example, it may be economically feasible to recover and sell the metals. However, a geochemist would warn against using the products of bioremediation in feed for food animal production, as fuel briquets, or as an additive to soils lest their heavy metals recycle to the ecosystem via an atmospheric, hydrospheric or food pool.
The main objectives of the current work are (1) to determine historic pattern of shoreline change... more The main objectives of the current work are (1) to determine historic pattern of shoreline changes (erosion and accretion) along the north coast of the Nile Delta, (2) to present a future view on what to be expected regarding climate change impacts, sea-level rise (SLR) scenarios, expected land losses and alteration of some soil characteristics (3) to recognize negative impacts of SLR on the Nile Delta coast and (4) to assess and suggest protection measures. The current investigation was conducted using the advanced techniques of remote sensing and geographic information system. The investigated area with 394 measured locations is located along the northern coast of the Nile Delta between Alexandria and ElTina plain in Sinai peninsula exactly between 29°20′ and 32°40′ E and 29°54′ and 31°35′ N with the minimum erosion values of 1.11 m2, maximum of 6,044,951.64 m2 and total of 16.02 km2. On the other hand, 177 sites showed minimum accretion values of 0.05 m2, maximum of 2,876,855.86 m2 and total of 13.19 km2. SLR was determined by applying the quadrant equation for 10-year intervals using 1990 as the base year. Mediterranean SLR along the Nile Delta coast could be estimated considering three different scenarios (low 0.20 m, medium 0.50 m, and high 0.90 m). Impacts of SLR are divided into (1) primary and (2) secondary impacts. Over the coming decades, the Nile Delta will face greater threat due to SLR and land subsidence as well. Regarding climate change and its impacts on soil characteristics, rapid increase in salinity values during the former three decades were found. This increase may be due to the intrusion of salty water of the Mediterranean. On the other hand, organic matter content decreased due to higher temperature, especially during the summer season. Some protection measures were assessed and suggested to combat or tackle SLR.
The main objectives of the current work are (1) to determine historic pattern of shoreline change... more The main objectives of the current work are (1) to determine historic pattern of shoreline changes (erosion and accretion) along the north coast of the Nile Delta, (2) to present a future view on what to be expected regarding climate change impacts, sea-level rise (SLR) scenarios, expected land losses and alteration of some soil characteristics (3) to recognize negative impacts of SLR on the Nile Delta coast and (4) to assess and suggest protection measures. The current investigation was conducted using the advanced techniques of remote sensing and geographic information system. The investigated area with 394 measured locations is located along the northern coast of the Nile Delta between Alexandria and ElTina plain in Sinai peninsula exactly between 29°20′ and 32°40′ E and 29°54′ and 31°35′ N with the minimum erosion values of 1.11 m2, maximum of 6,044,951.64 m2 and total of 16.02 km2. On the other hand, 177 sites showed minimum accretion values of 0.05 m2, maximum of 2,876,855.86 m2 and total of 13.19 km2. SLR was determined by applying the quadrant equation for 10-year intervals using 1990 as the base year. Mediterranean SLR along the Nile Delta coast could be estimated considering three different scenarios (low 0.20 m, medium 0.50 m, and high 0.90 m). Impacts of SLR are divided into (1) primary and (2) secondary impacts. Over the coming decades, the Nile Delta will face greater threat due to SLR and land subsidence as well. Regarding climate change and its impacts on soil characteristics, rapid increase in salinity values during the former three decades were found. This increase may be due to the intrusion of salty water of the Mediterranean. On the other hand, organic matter content decreased due to higher temperature, especially during the summer season. Some protection measures were assessed and suggested to combat or tackle SLR.
The major objective of this study is to detect the morphological changes of the Delta coast line ... more The major objective of this study is to detect the morphological changes of the Delta coast line during last 35 years, and to define coastal geomorphic features along the northern part of the Nile Delta. The Nile Delta coast was determined by comparing satellite images and historical charts with present-day conditions. The erosion and accretion shorelines are influenced by by
The major objective of this study is to detect the morphological changes of the Delta coast line ... more The major objective of this study is to detect the morphological changes of the Delta coast line during last 35 years, and to define coastal geomorphic features along the northern part of the Nile Delta. The Nile Delta coast was determined by comparing satellite images and historical charts with present-day conditions. The erosion and accretion shorelines are influenced by by
Biomarkers are one of the most important hydrocarbon groups in petroleum. Biomarkers can be detec... more Biomarkers are one of the most important hydrocarbon groups in petroleum. Biomarkers can be detected in low quantities (ppm and sub-ppm level) in the presence of a wide variety of other types of petroleum hydrocarbons by the use of the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Relative to other hydrocarbon groups in oil such as alkanes and most aromatic compounds, biomarkers are more degradation-resistant in the environment. Furthermore, biomarkers formed under different geological conditions and ages may exhibit different biomarker fingerprints. Therefore, chemical analysis of biomarkers generates information of great importance to environmental forensic investigations in terms of determining the source of spilled oil, differentiating and correlating oils, and monitoring the degradation process and weathering state of oils under a wide variety of conditions. This article briefly reviews biomarker chemistry, biomarker characterization and quantification, biomarker distributions, weathering effects on biomarker composition, bicyclic biomarker sesquiterpanes and diamondoids, diagnostic ratios and cross-plots of biomarkers, unique biomarkers, application of biomarker fingerprinting techniques for spill source identification, and application of multivariate statistical analysis for biomarker fingerprinting.
Geochemists and geologists working with environmental assessment teams have multiple missions: (1... more Geochemists and geologists working with environmental assessment teams have multiple missions: (1) to predict potential pollution problems that could occur; (2) to resolve newly identified or suddenly high profile short- or long-term contamination problems to minimize the impact on the living ecosystem; and (3) to evaluate remediation that might be proposed in light of the practical and future impacts on the environment.Manzalah lagoon, northeast Nile delta, Egypt, has an area of ⪢ 1000 km2, an average depth of 1 m, and yields ⪢ 35% of Egypt's aquacultural production (40 000 metric tons). Half of this is from the 40 km2 Ginka sub-basin. The upper 20 cm of Ginka sub-basin clay-size sediment, deposited after the 1964 closure of the Aswan High Dam, is a sink with significant metal loading (e.g. Hg to 822 ppb; Pb to 110 ppm; plus Zn, Cu, Sn, and Ag). The metals originate from industrial wastes discharged with sewage into Bahr El-Baqar drain which empties into the Ginka sub-basin. Food fish cultivated here can bioaccumulate the metals and pass them up the food web to humans.Bioremediation as part of a managed, engineered wetlands has been proposed as an economic alternative to investment in costly waste treatment facilities and maintenance to abate the heavy metals input to Manzalah lagoon. This approach requires geochemical input for the safe use or secure disposal of the heavy-metal-bearing products of bioremediation. For example, it may be economically feasible to recover and sell the metals. However, a geochemist would warn against using the products of bioremediation in feed for food animal production, as fuel briquets, or as an additive to soils lest their heavy metals recycle to the ecosystem via an atmospheric, hydrospheric or food pool.
The main objectives of the current work are (1) to determine historic pattern of shoreline change... more The main objectives of the current work are (1) to determine historic pattern of shoreline changes (erosion and accretion) along the north coast of the Nile Delta, (2) to present a future view on what to be expected regarding climate change impacts, sea-level rise (SLR) scenarios, expected land losses and alteration of some soil characteristics (3) to recognize negative impacts of SLR on the Nile Delta coast and (4) to assess and suggest protection measures. The current investigation was conducted using the advanced techniques of remote sensing and geographic information system. The investigated area with 394 measured locations is located along the northern coast of the Nile Delta between Alexandria and ElTina plain in Sinai peninsula exactly between 29°20′ and 32°40′ E and 29°54′ and 31°35′ N with the minimum erosion values of 1.11 m2, maximum of 6,044,951.64 m2 and total of 16.02 km2. On the other hand, 177 sites showed minimum accretion values of 0.05 m2, maximum of 2,876,855.86 m2 and total of 13.19 km2. SLR was determined by applying the quadrant equation for 10-year intervals using 1990 as the base year. Mediterranean SLR along the Nile Delta coast could be estimated considering three different scenarios (low 0.20 m, medium 0.50 m, and high 0.90 m). Impacts of SLR are divided into (1) primary and (2) secondary impacts. Over the coming decades, the Nile Delta will face greater threat due to SLR and land subsidence as well. Regarding climate change and its impacts on soil characteristics, rapid increase in salinity values during the former three decades were found. This increase may be due to the intrusion of salty water of the Mediterranean. On the other hand, organic matter content decreased due to higher temperature, especially during the summer season. Some protection measures were assessed and suggested to combat or tackle SLR.
The main objectives of the current work are (1) to determine historic pattern of shoreline change... more The main objectives of the current work are (1) to determine historic pattern of shoreline changes (erosion and accretion) along the north coast of the Nile Delta, (2) to present a future view on what to be expected regarding climate change impacts, sea-level rise (SLR) scenarios, expected land losses and alteration of some soil characteristics (3) to recognize negative impacts of SLR on the Nile Delta coast and (4) to assess and suggest protection measures. The current investigation was conducted using the advanced techniques of remote sensing and geographic information system. The investigated area with 394 measured locations is located along the northern coast of the Nile Delta between Alexandria and ElTina plain in Sinai peninsula exactly between 29°20′ and 32°40′ E and 29°54′ and 31°35′ N with the minimum erosion values of 1.11 m2, maximum of 6,044,951.64 m2 and total of 16.02 km2. On the other hand, 177 sites showed minimum accretion values of 0.05 m2, maximum of 2,876,855.86 m2 and total of 13.19 km2. SLR was determined by applying the quadrant equation for 10-year intervals using 1990 as the base year. Mediterranean SLR along the Nile Delta coast could be estimated considering three different scenarios (low 0.20 m, medium 0.50 m, and high 0.90 m). Impacts of SLR are divided into (1) primary and (2) secondary impacts. Over the coming decades, the Nile Delta will face greater threat due to SLR and land subsidence as well. Regarding climate change and its impacts on soil characteristics, rapid increase in salinity values during the former three decades were found. This increase may be due to the intrusion of salty water of the Mediterranean. On the other hand, organic matter content decreased due to higher temperature, especially during the summer season. Some protection measures were assessed and suggested to combat or tackle SLR.
The major objective of this study is to detect the morphological changes of the Delta coast line ... more The major objective of this study is to detect the morphological changes of the Delta coast line during last 35 years, and to define coastal geomorphic features along the northern part of the Nile Delta. The Nile Delta coast was determined by comparing satellite images and historical charts with present-day conditions. The erosion and accretion shorelines are influenced by by
The major objective of this study is to detect the morphological changes of the Delta coast line ... more The major objective of this study is to detect the morphological changes of the Delta coast line during last 35 years, and to define coastal geomorphic features along the northern part of the Nile Delta. The Nile Delta coast was determined by comparing satellite images and historical charts with present-day conditions. The erosion and accretion shorelines are influenced by by
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