NILE DELTA: low-energy coastline

Question 1

wave energy influencing coastline

Answer 1

-NW which reworks sediment ro increase thesis of onshore bars and splits (forms projections out to sea) -> drift aligned beaches
-NE in winter = cancels out some LSD
-low energy, constructive waves therefore deposition dominates
all varies seasonally and changes are often LT eg spit and onshore bars

Question 2

wind energy influencing coastline

Answer 2

-powers wave direction W->E summer and NE-SW winter
- forms sand dunes= aeolian process and saltation and transportation of sand inland
-sand from sand bars Burls -> lagoon decreases in size
-fairly consistent strength relies in continuous sediment supply (seasonal)

Question 3

sediment supply influencing coastline

Answer 3

-from Mediterranean Sea deposited due to FLOCCULATION
historical = provided 120m tonnes/yr inputted from river to increase sediment budget and material from all landforms
since 1964 = building of Aswan Dam = now virtually no sediment from river
fluvial sediment provided material for LSD so used to be significant in providing sediment fro depositional landforms

Question 4

interrelated landforms

Answer 4

1. LAGOONS drained for agriculture and farming results in thermal energy and evaporation till only salt remains to form SABKAHS
2. SEDIMENT SUPPLY decreases due to dam construction but a continual supply is needed to build up DUNES
3. WAVE ENERGY dominant W-E => LSD moves sediment form bar ease to form SPIT
4. SPIT grows until encloses bay forming a LAGOON

Question 5

5 key landforms

Answer 5

1. LARGE FLAT BEACHES
2. ONSHORE BARS WITH LAGOONS BEHIND
   -Rosetta onshore bar = more exposed to easterly winds increased LSD
   -Damietta onshore bar = from currents at mouth of distributaries sediment travels east
   -Burulus/Manzala lagoon = closes off fine sediment from sea= depressions between ridges and headlands, gradually eroding backwards
3. DAMIETTA SPIT
4. SAND DUNES
   -Gamsa dunes = when sand completely dries out between high and low tide and onshore winds blow it landward it is trapped by grasses/ accumulates in layers of vegetation
5. SABKAHS=
   SALT FLATS - where old lagoons have dried out (water evaporates till only salt remains)

Question 6

changes overtime ( long term)

Answer 6

-Delta eroded and retreating up to 148m/yr -> flooding and bars breached
-onshore bars decrease in size as no new sediment is being added -> thinner
- potential flooding by increasing seas level
- gradually migrate SE due to dominant wind direction
lagoons modified by less deposition but larger waves that poses more energy can drown lagoons as Sl rise
OR they could dry out due to thermal energy and increased global temperature= slow LT changes

Question 7

changes overtime (short term)

Answer 7

-seasonal wind direction reshapes dunes and creates ridges
-increased tourist use especially insurer destroys vegetation to decrease size of sand dunes = significant short term changes

Question 8

longest term change

Answer 8

SABKAHS- takes thousands of years to build up layers of slat crust- if lagoon drained for farming increase amount overtime as more water drying out

Question 9

most significant change…

Answer 9

= dam building to ensure water supply for growing population of Egypt and HEP
massive as 120m t/yr-> virtually none

Question 10

climate change effect

Answer 10

60% loss of farmland by 2100 due to sea level rise and coastal retreat