Abstract
Satellite observations provide elements about the environmental status of the major lagoons in northern Egypt (i.e. Lakes Maryut, Edku, Burullus, Manzala and Bardawil) and the adjacent marine area off the Nile River delta, in the southwestern Mediterranean region. Examples are shown of data collected by various sensors onboard the Landsat, Système Pour l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT) and EgyptSat-1 satellite series, and by the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS). The remote sensing-derived parameters (e.g. lagoon size, aquatic vegetation patterns and other water quality parameters) allow to evaluate evolution and degradation of the near-coastal water bodies in the last four decades. The basic ecosystem indicators delivered by the satellite surveys are considered important contributions for the establishment of a sound decision-making process for environmental management purposes, aiming to ensure protection of natural systems and sustainability of human activities.
Keywords
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsNotes
- 1.
The word “sabkha” (a transliteration of the corresponding Arabic word) indicates a supratidal coastal plain, normally covered by a salt crust.
- 2.
i.e. the Goddard Earth Sciences (GES) and Data Information Services Center (DISC) Interactive Online Visualization ANd aNalysis Infrastructure, (GIOVANNI), available at the address http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/giovanni/overview/, by the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA). This web services portal allows for the extraction of fully processed data, from multiple sensors, and the use of various data analysis and visualization options.
References
Ahmed MH (2000) Long-term changes along the Nile delta coast: Rosetta Promontory. A case study. Egyptian J Remote Sens Space Sci 3:125–134
Ahmed MH (2003) Erosion and accretion patterns along the coastal zone of Northern Sinai, Egypt. J Sedimentol Soc Egypt 11:281–290
Ahmed HM, Frihy OE, Yehia MA (2000) Environmental management of the Mediterranean coastal lagoons of Egypt. Ann Geol Surv Egypt XXIII:491–508
Ahmed MH, Abdel-Moati MAR, El-Bayomi G, Tawfik M, El-Kafrawy S (2001) Using geo-information and remote sensing data for environmental assessment of Burullus lagoon, Egypt. B Natil Institute of Oceanogra Fisheries ARE 27:241–263
Ahmed MH, Elaa AAA (2003) Study of Molluscan shells and their enclosed bottom sediments in Manzala lagoon, Nile delta, Egypt. B Natil Institute of Oceanogra Fisheries ARE 29:423–446
Ahmed MH, Noha D, Fahmy MA (2006) Eutrophication assessment of lake Manzala Egypt using GIS techniques. J Hydroinf 8(2):101–109
Ahmed MH, Donia NS (2007) Spatial investigation of water quality of lake Manzala using GIS techniques. Egyptian J Remote Sens Space Sci 10:63–86
Ahmed MH, El Leithy BM, Thompson JR, Flower RJ, Ramdani M, Ayache F, Hassan SM (2009) Application of remote sensing to site characterisation and environmental change analysis of North African coastal lagoons. Hydrobiologia 622:147–171
Baith K, Lindsay R, Fu G, McClain CR (2001) SeaDAS, a data analysis system for ocean-colour satellite sensors. EOS Transactions AGU 82:202
Barale V (2005) Satellite observations as indicators of the health of the Mediterranean Sea In: Saliot A (ed) The handbook of environmental chemistry, Vol 5. Water Pollution, Part K, “The Mediterranean Sea”, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp 387–408
Barale V (2009) Assessing novel near-coastal ecosystem dynamics with satellite observations: case studies in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. In: Ozhan E (ed) Proceedings of the Second International Conference/Workshop on State-of-the-Art of ICM in the Mediterranean and Black Sea, MED & BLACK SEA ICM 08, MEDCOAST, Middle East Technical University, 225–237
Barale V, Folving S (1996) Remote sensing of coastal interactions in the Mediterranean region. Ocean Coast Manag 30(2–3):217–233
Barale V, Gade M (eds) (2008) Remote sensing of the European seas. Springer, Hidelberg, p 513
Barale V, Larkin DJ (1998) Optical remote sensing of coastal plumes and run-off in the Mediterranean region. Journal of Coastal Conservation 4:51–68
Barale V, Jaquet JM, Allenbach K, Ndiaye M, Hoareau A (2005) Bio-optical environmental assessments of marginal seas. Progress Report 2. EUR 21899 EN, European Commission, Ispra, Italy, 63 pp
Barale V, Jaquet JM, Ndiaye M (2008) Algal blooming patterns and trends in the Mediterranean sea as derived from the SeaWiFS data set (1998–2003). Remote sensing of environment, special issue on: earth observations for marine and coastal biodiversity and. Ecosystems 112(8):3300–3313
Bernasconi MP, Stanley DJ (1994) Molluscan biofacies and their environmental implications, Nile delta lagoons, Egypt. J Coastal Res 10(2):440–465
Bosc E, Bricaud A, Antoine D (2004) Seasonal and interannual variability in algal biomass and primary production in the Mediterranean Sea, as derived from 4 years of SeaWiFS observations. Global Biogeochemical Cycles, 18, GB1005, doi:10.1029/2003GB002034
Brezonik PL, Menken K, Bauer ME (2005) Landsat-based remote sensing of lake water quality characteristics, including chlorophyll and colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM). Lake and Reserv Manage 21(4):373–382
Campbell JW, Blaisdell JM, Darzi M (1995) Level-3 SeaWiFS Data Products: Spatial and Temporal Binning Algorithms. In: Hooker SB, Firestone ER, Acker JG (eds) NASA technical memorandum 104566, SeaWiFS Technical Report Series 32, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, p 23
Carlson RE (1977) A trophic state index for lakes. Limnol Oceangra 22(2):361–369
Clark B, Suomalainen J, Pellikka P (2010) A comparison of methods for the retrieval of surface reflectance factor from multitemporal SPOT HRV, HRVIR, and HRG multispectral satellite imagery. Can J Remote Sens 36(4):397–411
Co.R.I. (1988) Project of Development of El Bardawil Fish Resources. Final Report, Vol 1, 2 and 3. Coastal Research Institute, Alexandria, Egypt.
Co.R.I. (1990) Updating the Coastal Processes Data of El-Bardawil Outlets, First Report, and Protective Works for El-Bardawil Outlets Alignment & Conceptual Design, Report no 2. Coastal Research Institute, Alexandria, Egypt.
Co.R.I. (1992) Alignment of El-Bardawil Outlets and Dredging Works, Report no 4. Coastal Research Institute, Alexandria, Egypt.
Cozar A, GarcIa CM, Galvez JA, Loiselle SA, Bracchini L, Cognetta A (2005) Remote sensing imagery analysis of the lacustrine system of Ibera wetland (Argentina). Ecol Modell 186:29–41
Dewider Kh, Khedr AA (2001) Water quality assessment with simultaneous Landsat-5 TM at Manzala lagoon, Egypt. Hydrobiologia 4577:49–58
Dewidar Kh, Khedr AA (2005) Remote sensing of water quality for Burullus Lake, Egypt. Geocarto International 20(3):43–49
Dumont HJ, El-Shabrawy GM (2007) Lake Borullus of the Nile delta: a short history and an uncertain future. Ambio 36(8):677–682
El Fishawi NM, Fanos AM (1989) Prediction of sea level rise by 2100, Nile delta coast. International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA). Commission on Quat Shoreline Newsl 11:43–47
El Malky MG, Ahmed MH, El Marghany MA (2003) Heavy metals in water and sediments of Bardawil lagoon, Northern Coast of Sinai, Egypt. J Environ Sci 7(3):753–785
Elshehaby AR, Taha LGE-d (2010) Assessment of cartographic potential of EgyptSat-1 satellite image (case study in flat areas). Applied Geomatis 3:159–169
Fanos MA, Naffaa GM, Ali MM, Gewilli MY (1995) Coastal processes along Burullus headland Nile Delta, Egypt. In: Ozhan E (ed) MEDCOAST 95, Proceedings of the Second International Conference on the Mediterranean Coastal Environment, METU, Ankara, 2:1047–1061
Flower RJ, Appleby PG, Thompson JR, Ahmed MH, Ramdani M, Chouba L, Rose N, Rochester R, Ayache F, Kraiem MM, Elkhiati N, El Kafrawy S, Yang H, Rasmussen EK (2009) Sediment distribution and accumulation in lagoons of the Southern Mediterranean region (the MELMARINA Project) with special reference to environmental change and aquatic ecosystems. Hydrobiologia 622:85–112
Frihy OE (1992) Beach response to sea level rise along the Nile delta coast of Egypt. In: Woodworth PL (ed) Sea level changes: determination and effects, Geophysical Monograph 69, American Geophysical Union, IUGG 2:81–85
GAFRD (2005) General Authority for Fishery Resources Development (GAFRD) Year-Book of fishery statistics in Egypt (1989–2004). Cairo, Egypt.
GAFRD (2008) General Authority for Fisheries Resources Development (GAFRD) Annual Statistics Year Book. Cairo, Egypt.
GEF (1992) Global Environment Facility Chairman’s Report, Part Two. UNDP/ UNEP/World Bank, Washington D.C., 182–199
Graetz R (1990) Remote sensing of terrestrial ecosystem structure: an ecologist’s pragmatic view. In: Hobbs R, Mooney H (eds) Remote sensing of biosphere functioning, Springer-Verlag, New York, 5–30
Hess LL, Melack JM, Novo EMLM, Barbosa CCF, Mary GM (2003) Dual-season mapping of wetland inundation and vegetation for the central Amazon basin. Remote Sensing of. Environment 87:404–428
Kloiber SM, Brezonik PL, Bauer ME (2002) Application of Landsat imagery to regional-scale assessments of lake clarity. Water Res 36:4330–4340
Lathrop RG (1992) Landsat Thematic Mapper monitoring of turbid inland water quality. Photogramm Eng Remote Sens 58:465–470
Levy Y (1974) Sedimentary reflection of depositional environment in the Bardawil lagoon, northern Sinai. J Sediment Res 44(1):219–227
Markham BL, Storey JC, Williams DL, Irons JR (2004) Landsat sensor performance: history and current status. IEEE Trans Geosci Remote Sens 42(12):2691–2694
McClain CR, Feldman GC, Hooker SB (2004) An overview of the SeaWiFS project and strategies for producing a climate research quality global ocean bio-optical time series. Deep-Sea Res II 51:5–42
Mohsen MA (1992). Descriptive analysis of the north Delta Highway project. UNDP Workshop/Round-Table discussion on the impact of the Nile Delta coastal road and its effectiveness as defense measure against the expected sea-level rise, 10 pp
Neev D, Friedman GM (1978) Late Holocene tectonic activity along the margins of Sinai subplate. Science 202:427–429
Nixon SW (2003) Replacing the Nile: are anthropogenic nutrients providing the fertility once brought to the Mediterranean by a great river? Ambio 32:30–39
Nixon SW (2004) The Artificial Nile. American Scientist 92:158–165
Oczkowski AJ, Flower RJ, Thompson JR, Ayache F, Ahmed MH, Ramdani M, Turner S (2011) Evidence of North Africa’s green revolution preserved in sedimentary organic matter deposited in three coastal lagoons. Ecol Appl 21:1708–1717
Okbah MA, El-Gohary SE (2002) Physical and chemical characteristics of Lake Edku Water, Egypt. Mediterranean Marine Science 3/2:27–39
Olmanson LG, Kloiber SM, Bauer ME Brezonik PL (2001) Image processing protocol for regional assessment of lake water quality. Water Resources Center Technical Report 14, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 19 pp
Olmanson LG, Bauer ME, Brezonik PL, Kloiber SM (2002) Lake water quality image processing protocol. Water Resources Center Technical Report 146, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 24 pp
Olmanson LG, Bauer ME, Brezonik PL (2008) A 20-year Landsat Water Clarity Census of Minnesot’s 10,000 Lakes. Remote Sens Environ, Special Issue on Monitoring Freshwater and Estuarine Systems 112(11):4086–4097
Orlava G, Zenkovich V (1974) Erosion of the shores of the Nile Delta. Geoforum 18:68–72
Ozemi SL, Bauer ME (2004) Satellite remote sensing of wetlands.Wetl Ecol Manag 10:381–402
Rasmussen EK, Petersen OS, Thompson JR, Flower RJ, Ahmed MH (2009) Hydrodynamic-ecological model analyses of the water quality of Lake Manzala (Nile Delta, Northern Egypt). Hydrobiologia 622:195–220
Saad MA, Ezaat AA, El Rayis OA, Hafez H (1981) Occurrence and distribution of chemical pollutants in lake Mariut, Egypt, II Heavy metals. Water Air Soil Poll 16:401–407
Sathyendranath S et al (ed) (2000) Remote Sensing of Ocean Colour in Coastal, and other Optically-Complex, Waters. IOCCG Report, vol 3. IOCCG Project Office, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, p 140
Sawaya K, Olmanson L, Heinert N, Brezonik P, Bauer M (2003) Extending satellite remote sensing to local scales: land and water resource monitoring using high-resolution imagery. Remote Sens Environ 88:144–156
Shaheen SE (1998) Geo-environmental studies on El-Bardawil lagoon and its surroundings, North Sinai, Egypt. PhD Thesis, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt, pp 165
Siam E, Ghobrial M (1999) Pollution influence on bacterial abundance and chlorophyll—a concentration case study at Idku lagoon, Egypt. J Arab Acad Sci Technol Maritime Transport 24:18–26
Siegel FR, Slaboda ML, Stanley DJ (1994) Metal pollution loading, Manzala lake, Nile delta, Egypt: implications for aquaculture. Environ Geol 23:89–98
Stanley DJ, Warne AG (1993) Nile delta: recent geological evolution and human impact. Science 260:628–634
Volpe G, Santoleri R, Vellucci V, Ribera d’AlcalàM, Marullo S, D’Ortenzio F (2007) The colour of the Mediterranean Sea: global versus regional bio-optical algorithms evaluation and implication for satellite chlorophyll estimates. Remote Sens Environ 107:625–638
Zilioli E (2001) Lake water monitoring in Europe by means of remote sensing. Sci Total Environ 268:1–2
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to express their gratitude to the many Colleagues from the Marine Sciences Department, National Authority Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSSS), Cairo, Egypt, and from the Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES), Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (EC), Ispra, Italy, who contributed to the research activities summarized in the present paper. Work at IES, JRC EC, was carried out as part of the Framework Programme 7 (FP7) JRC Action no. 21203 “Protection and Conservation of the European Seas” (PROCAS). Some of the data analyses and visualizations used in this paper were produced with the online data services featured by the Goddard Earth Sciences (GES) and Data Information Services Center (DISC) Interactive Online Visualization ANd aNalysis Infrastructure (GIOVANNI), of the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA). We acknowledge the Mission Scientists and Principal Investigators who provided the data used in this research effort. Thanks are also due to two anonymous reviewers of this paper, who contibuted substantially to the improvement of its content.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Ahmed, M., Barale, V. (2014). Satellite Surveys of Lagoon and Coastal Waters in the Southeastern Mediterranean Area. In: Barale, V., Gade, M. (eds) Remote Sensing of the African Seas. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8008-7_19
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-8008-7_19
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-017-8007-0
Online ISBN: 978-94-017-8008-7
eBook Packages: Earth and Environmental ScienceEarth and Environmental Science (R0)