Impact of
protection structures on physical and sedimentary parameters along the Damietta coastal
area, Nile Delta, Egypt
Hesham M. EI Asmar
Dept. Geology, Damietta Fac. Sciences, Egypt |
The Nile Delta promontories, Rosetta and
Damietta, have suffered significant erosion reaching a maximum of about 60m/yr. Several
protection structures are constructed along the Damietta coast including two jetties,
seawall and three groines at Ras ElBar resort area, and two jetties at the Damietta
Harbor. The present study of wave and current patterns and the littoral drift before and
after the construction of these structures reveals that the coast still suffers erosion
and shoreline retreats. However, new patterns of erosion have been developed due to the
change in waves, currents and littoral drift regime.
Also, the grain sizes and heavy mineral distributions for the two years 1974 and 1986 show
considerable differences. The sediments have become more coarser near the Damietta
promontory with pronounced loss in the heavy mineral contents, while no considerable
changes have been detected along the accretional coast of the Damietta-Gamasa embayment.
The future picture may imply natural problems including further destruction and
submergence of social and economic projects with continuous loss of coastal areas.
Therefore, it is here suggested to discharge at least an amount equal to the yearly
sediment discharge across the Aswan High Dam to take the natural way northward along the
Nile course. A feasibility study is to be recommended.
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