Stability of the Northern coast of Egypt under the effect of urbanization and climate change

ABSTRACT The effect of the human activities on the coastal area are enormous. They include impacts on natural resources, coastal stability, environmental quality, and the cultural environment. The instability condition is the predominant feature of the Egyptian coastal zone due to natural and anthropogenic effect. This paper discusses the stability conditions of the sediment within the Egyptian Mediterranean coastal zone. It includes the sediment sources, degradation of resources, reasons and side effects, climate change effects, and recommendations to control the degradation. The research methodology depends on collecting and discussing the results of the previous related studies, collecting field data and observation along the Egyptian Mediterranean coastal zone as well as Satellite images within the last ten years. Sediment origin from territorial or sea resources, sediment transport, and interaction within the coastal zone are investigated to understand the sediment behavior and how to control erosion and siltation problems. The study shows that urbanization, coastal structures, removing sand dunes, controlling the floodwater and sediment, as well as climate change cause severe shoreline changes within the coastal zone. Dramatically erosion along the Northern coast of Egypt, and migration of the sand spit inland along the Rosetta Nile branch document these unbalance conditions. The study recommends that the coastal sand dune, as well as other nature resources of sediment, should be protected to eliminate the coastal erosion.