The aim of the present study is to assess the present geo-environmental hazards, both flash flooding and seismic activity in the western part of Gulf of Suez. Assessment includes the analysis of satellite images, topographical, geological and other ancillary geological data using GIS technology. GIS data integration and analysis, including morphometric, local seismic activity and structural data analysis indicated that the area is under threat from two types of geo-hazards. Morphometric analysis strongly supported the high probability of flash flooding in different sites within the study area. The structural lineaments, extracted from an enhanced ETM+7 image, showed that the majority of seismic activity is related to segments of the fault system of the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. The seismic activity hazard was taken into consideration through the identification of the sources of events. Seismic activity in the study area markedly increases from north to south. The distribution of the seismic activity pattern and data analysis for the study area clearly exhibits the urgent need for an assessment and rehabilitation program to mitigate geo-hazard along the existing structures.

The concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd in bottom sediment and surface water in the Egyptian coastal waters along the Mediterranean Sea, and thence the soft tissues of the bivalve (Donax trunculus) were determined. The mean concentrations (µg g -1 ) of heavy metals in bottom sediment were as follows: Fe: 1748.2-2030, Mn: 191.4-254.3, Zn: 28-42.2, Cu: 4-9.4, Pb: 18.4-24.8, Cd: 1.4-2.3, and in surface water: Fe: 744-896, Mn: 162-198, Zn: 242.6-300, Cu: 12.6-19.3, Pb: 31.3-56, Cd: 0.8-3.1,while in soft tissues of the bivalve D. trunculus, the mean concentrations (µg g -1 dry weight) were as follows: Fe: 47.2-66.4, Mn: 4.8-8.4, Zn: 22-36.4, Cu: 3.2-4.8, Pb: 5.6-9.2, Cd: 1.6-2.4. The present study has revealed that the concentrations of Cd and Pb in the soft tissues of the edible bivalve D. trunculus were above the maximum acceptable concentrations for human consumption proposed by FAO/WHO, EU. Moreover, estimation of concentration factor (C f ) for the studied metals in the soft tissues of the edible bivalve D. trunculus recorded high accumulation rates of Cd and Cu. The present study confirmed that, the examined bivalve species was associated with enhanced metal content in its soft tissues and was not safe within the limits for human consumption. Water and bottom sediments showed apparent seasonal variations of metals accumulation with maximum concentrations during summer and winter, respectively. Mean metal concentrations were found to be higher in some of the selected five sites than others, but, these differences in heavy metal concentrations were not statistically significant (P>0.05), suggesting that common and main anthropogenic sources contributing to the heavy metal pollution at this Egyptian coastal area on the Mediterranean sea. The results obtained in this study were compared with those reported in earlier studies and concluded that, the area of the present study was in general not considered a metal polluted area according to the OME and EPA classification criteria. However, concentrations of Cd and especially, Pb did give some cause for concern, and warrants a continued monitoring programme for inorganic and chemical organic compounds in sediments, water, and biota along the Egyptian Mediterranean coasts.

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Eight surface sabkha soils samples were collected from Ismailia-Suez roadbed, southwestern of Suez Canal district. Sedimentological and mineralogical analyses were conducted using grain size; X-ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Grain size analysis indicates high contents of fine sand and mud as well as presence of salts. X-ray diffraction; Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and EDAX tool clarified that the sabkha soils are enriched by quartz, sulfate minerals (gypsum, anhydrite), carbonate minerals (calcite-dolomite-aragonite), chlorides (halite and bischofite), and clay minerals. The results elucidate that the appearance of sabkha deposits and their distribution in the study area are controlled mainly by the content of water soluble salts through parent materials; ground water table; subsurface structural; and physiographic features for instance surface relief or topography; and human activity.

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