Modeling the Environmental Hazards of El-Kharga Oasis Sand Dunes, Western Desert of Egypt, using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Abstract

In this study, an integrated suite of Remote Sensing (RS) data and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques supported by fieldwork is used to assess the sand dunes movement hazards at El-Kharga Oasis. Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data obtained from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER) were integrated with GIS techniques to model the vulnerable locations and to study the terrain characteristics (slope angles and aspects) in the studied area. The risk assessment model output was verified with the field investigations using multi-temporal satellite images recorded between 1990 and 2019. Monthly wind roses showed that the sand drifts in the southeastern direction differed widely from one direction to another depending on the wind direction and velocity. The most important output of the spatial model’s, results was a geo-hazard map that classified the sand dunes hazard zones into low, slight, moderate, and high-risk zones. It is concluded that, the sand dunes pose a serious hazard because of their fast movement and accumulation near the monumental sites, over roads and invading the agricultural fields. The obtained results can serve as a basis for planners and decision-makers to take the necessary precautions and measures to minimize the sand dune hazard’s impact on the monumental sites (e.g., Hibis, El-Nadura, El-Ghueita and El-Zayyan), roads, and the agricultural fields at El-Kharga Oasis and lead to a sustainable development plan. Keywords Environmental Hazards; Sand Dunes Movement; Remote Sensing; Risk Assessment, Egypt

Hybrid system model for wind abrasion segmentation using semi-automatic classification of remote sensing multispectral areas

“…The integration of these results into other platforms like Google Earth enhances their accessibility and usability for researchers and stakeholders involved in infrastructure design and planning. By increasing the knowledge on material wear caused by particle action and providing insights into the initial design of resilient structures, this research contributes to optimizing infrastructure placement, particularly in the context of renewable energy, where special attention is being paid [ 42 , 68 ]. The proposed hybrid model, incorporating historical data and satellite information, presents a valuable and generalizable approach to addressing the problem of wind abrasion.…”

“…Many studies use these technologies to classify and diagnose the health of the earth's crust, soils and vegetation [ [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] ]. Specifically, the use of remote sensing and GIS techniques is beginning to be used in this context, to assess sand dune hazards [ 42 ], but there are no studies that globally characterise the susceptibility and risk potential of a given area. Moreover, the specific problem of degradation of metallic structures by abrasion is more complex, as it requires not only the study of the ground cover but also the influence of other critical factors, such as granulometry, composition and climatic characteristics.…”

“…Junta de Andalucía & European Environment Agency Data availability El Encinar, Spain Private enterprise Data availability El Lauredal, Asturias, Spain Monitorización Red de Calidad del Aire del Principado de Asturias Data availability El Loro Choroy, Latam Private enterprise Data availability El Maillo, Salamanca, Spain European Environment Agency | Junta Castilla y León Data availability El Picarral Ayuntamiento de Zaragoza. La Ciudad Medio Ambiente Data availability El Tomillar, Spain Private enterprise Data availability El-Kharga, Egipto [ 42 ] Case Study Elvisa, Spain Private enterprise Data availability Eme F, Chile Sistema Nacional de Calidad del Aire de Chile Data availability Erfoud (Morocco) [ 22 ] Case Study Escuadrón, ENESA, Chile Sistema Nacional de Calidad del Aire de Chile Data availability Escuderos, Spain Private enterprise Data availability Ferentino ARAP Lazio Agenzia Regionales per la Protezione dell’Ambiente del Lazio Data availability Gandesa, Spain Medi Ambient. Generalitat de Catalunya & European Environment Agency Data availability Garcimunoz, Spain Private enterprise Data availability Gaviotin, Latam Private enterprise ...…”