Microfacies studies were carried out on the Middle Miocene Marmarica Formation exposed at the Gabal Western Bahi El-Din and Gabal El-Najdeen, the Siwa Oasis, northwestern Desert (Egypt). It was ...distinguished into the lower, middle, and upper members. Eleven microfacies types were recognized, which include skeletal lime-mudstone, dolomitic lime-mudstone, intraclastic wackestone, bryozoan wackestone, foraminiferal wackestone, foraminiferal bryozoan packstone, glauconitic molluscan packstone, molluscan intraclastic packstone, pelletal peloidal skeletal packstone, dolostones, and claystone microfacies. This formation includes several types of emergence- meter-scale cycles (shallowing-upward). Field observations and petrographic analyses revealed that these cycles consist of pure carbonates and mixed siliciclastic carbonates. These cycles consist of four types of gradual cycles and six types of non-gradual cycles. The gradual emergence cycles indicate a balance between the rate of subsidence, sea level oscillations, and sedimentation rate. The non-gradual cycles indicate an irregular balance between sedimentation rate and subsidence rate. The non-gradual cycles denote high-frequency sea level variation and/or short-term sea level oscillations, which are associated with high carbonate formation. The depositional environments of the Marmarica Formation are restricted to lagoonal at the base, followed upward to open marine conditions. Both environments most probably characterize the platform setting.
Fracture zones on the Earth’s surface are important elements in the understanding of plate motion forces, the dynamics of the subsurface fluid flow, and earthquake distributions. However, good ...exposures of these features are always lacking in arid regions, characterized by flat topography and where sand dunes extensively cover the terrain. During field surveys these conditions, in many cases, hinder the proper characterization of such features. Therefore, an approach that identifies the regional fractures as lineaments on remotely-sensed images or shaded digital terrain models, with its large scale synoptic coverage, could be promising.
In the present work, a segment tracing algorithm (STA), for lineament detection from Landsat-7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) imagery, and the data from the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) 30
m digital elevation model (DEM), has been applied in the Siwa region, located in the northwest of the Western Desert of Egypt. The objectives are to analyze the spatial variation in orientation of the detected linear features and its relation to the hydrogeologic setting in the area and the underlying geology, and to evaluate the performance of the algorithm applied to the ETM+ and the DEM data.
Detailed structural analysis and better understanding of the tectonic evolution of the area could provide useful tools for hydrologists for reliable groundwater management and development planning. The results obtained have been evaluated by the structural analysis of the area and field observations. Four major vertical fracture zones were detected corresponding to two conjugate sets of strike-slip faults that governed the surface, and subsurface environments of the lakes in the region, and these correlate well with the regional tectonics.
The Tertiary marine succession of the north Western Desert, Egypt, is rich in vertebrates, molluscs and other invertebrates, but nautiloids are less abundant. Five nautiloid species, are reported ...herein: Eutrephoceras sp., Aturoidea parkinsoni, Aturia aturi, Aturia cf. alabamensis and, Aturia cf. gujaratensis. They are collected and identified from the lowermost part of Gebel Minqar Tebaghbagh area. The studied section is located 90 km to the east of Siwa Oasis at the south of western side of the Qattara Depression. The recovered specimens are mostly crushed, partially fragmented internal molds, mostly showing badly preserved suture lines and dorsal to subcentral siphuncles. The nautiloids occur in abundance in random orientation through a clastic-dominated succession. They are mostly represented by middle-aged and mature specimens. Recently, the lower part of Gebel Tabaghbagh was assigned to Late Eocene.
•Five nautiloid species are reported from north Western Desert, Egypt.•The identified nautiloids assigned lower part of Gebel Tabaghbagh to Late Eocene age.•These fauna representing southern Tethys faunal affinities of subtropical to tropical environments
Ionizing radiation hydrolyzes H2O and leads to free radicals production that initiates inflammation and DNA damages. Siwa dates are an important crop in Egypt that has been used as a staple food due ...to its nutritional value and its antioxidant properties. The study aimed to investigate the radioprotective effects of aqueous extract of Siwa dates in whole body γ- irradiated mice. Animals were divided into four groups: healthy mice, unirradiated mice that received Siwa date aqueous extract, irradiated unprotected mice and irradiated mice that received daily 4 ml/kg Siwa date extract for 14 days prior to irradiation. Twenty four hours post irradiation, blood and liver samples were collected for immunological, biochemical, and histopathological studies. Apoptosis and apoptotic proteins in hepatocytes were measured by flow cytometry techniques. Moreover, the cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus assay was performed to measure DNA damages. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were evaluated in liver samples by both ELISA and immunohistochemical techniques. The results have shown the improvement in liver histopathological sections and the amelioration in the pro-inflammatory cascade. Siwa date extract allowed DNA protection from the destructive effect of irradiation. In conclusion, Siwa dates were effective in alleviating radiation induced damages such as hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, and DNA damage.
Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine how the tourism economy affects local food availability, access, utilization and stability in dessert-prone agricultural heritage sites. Specifically, ...the study aims to explore the relationship between the tourism industry and local agricultural practices and how this connection influences food security in the Siwa Oasis, located in the Western Desert of Egypt. Design/methodology/approach The study employs a qualitative exploratory research design using in-depth interviews and focus groups to investigate the impact of the tourism economy on food security and identify potential benefits and limitations for food security in the region. Findings The research reveals that the tourism economy in Siwa Oasis has only a marginal contribution to food security. The study highlights a lack of a strong connection between the tourism industry and local agricultural practices within the heritage site. As a result, the potential benefits and synergies that could be achieved between tourism and agriculture have not been fully realized, leading to a limited impact on food stability. Research limitations/implications This study primarily relies on qualitative data from Siwa Oasis, Egypt, which may limit the generalizability of findings beyond this specific context. Additionally, while the study provides valuable insights into the complex relationship between tourism and food security, it does not quantitatively measure the magnitude of tourism's impact. Future research could incorporate quantitative methods for a more comprehensive understanding of this relationship in diverse desert-prone regions. Finally, the study highlights the need for more integrated approaches to enhance food security through tourism, but the specific strategies and policy recommendations require further investigation and adaptation to local contexts. Practical implications This study underscores the need for tourism development strategies that prioritize food security in desert-prone areas like Siwa Oasis. Policymakers and stakeholders should promote sustainable tourism practices that enhance local agriculture, create diversified income sources and foster equitable benefits for communities. Moreover, recognizing the seasonal nature of tourism, interventions to address food shortages during off-peak periods are crucial. Efforts should also focus on skill development and gender-inclusive opportunities within the tourism sector to ensure broader community participation. Additionally, collaborations between tourism and agriculture should be encouraged to optimize food availability and stability while preserving cultural food traditions. Originality/value This study adds original insights by examining the specific impact of the tourism economy on food security in dessert-prone agricultural heritage sites. The study's originality lies in its exploration of the untapped potential for synergy between the tourism and agricultural sectors and the implications for local food security. This research contributes to understanding how tourism can improve food security in specific contexts and provides valuable insights into sustainable development in heritage sites.
: The most frequent cause of mortality in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Inflammation, dyslipidemia, and decreased physical activity are some of the main risk ...factors for CVD. Siwan sand therapy is a type of traditional therapy used in Egypt to treat RA. The approach of this therapy depends on the experience of the healers. The aim of the current study was to compare the effects of three sessions of Siwan traditional therapy to five sessions on common CVD risk factors and physical function in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Thirty patients (9 male and 21 female) were assigned into two groups of equal size: group (A) received three sessions of Siwan traditional therapy in the form of a sand bath. Group (B) received the same form of therapy for five days. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lipid profile, atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and a health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) were measured before and after treatment.
There was a significant increase above normal within group (A) for ESR (
= 0.001), triglycerides (TG;
= 0.015), total cholesterol (Tot-Chol;
= 0.0001), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL;
= 0.0001). However, there were no considerable differences in high-density lipoprotein (HDL;
= 0.106), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL;
= 0.213), AIP (
= 0.648), and HAQ (
= 0.875). For the second group, there were significant changes within group B only in Tot-Chol (
= 0.0001), HDL (
= 0.0001), VLDL (
= 0.0001), AIP (
= 0.008), and HAQ (
= 0.014). There was a significant difference between both groups regarding HDL (
= 0.027), LDL (
= 0.005), AIP (
= 0.029), ESR (
= 0.016), and HAQ (
= 0.036).
For RA patients, five days of Siwan traditional therapy caused significant changes regarding inflammation, Tot-Chol, LDL, HDL, AIP, and functional activity when compared to three days of Siwan hot sand therapy.
The Western Desert of Egypt is an important hydrocarbon province as it consists of many petroliferous sedimentary basins. The researchers and petroleum companies are interested in exploring the new ...frontier sedimentary basins and evaluating their hydrocarbon potential. Given this point of view, the current study attempts to assess the new frontier sedimentary basin in the Western Desert of Egypt, named Foram Basin (FB), using various geophysical and geological methods, including the magnetic, gravity, and seismic methods in addition to the petroleum system and basin analysis modeling. The magnetic data analysis uses various techniques, including power spectrum and source parameter image, total magnetic intensity (TMI), reduction to the pole (RTP), regional-residual separation, and tilt derivative. The used techniques in the interpretation of gravity data include Bouguer gravity, power spectrum, regional-residual separation of Bouguer gravity, tilt derivative of the Bouguer gravity and gravity inversion, and 2D gravity modeling, in addition to the tentative basement depth based on the gravity inversion and 2D gravity modeling for the nine profiles. The main results of these techniques indicate that the main structural trend is NE-SW and the depth to the basement ranges from 1.8 to 5 km comprising two depocenters.
Two-thirds of the sedimentary basin fill is a Paleozoic succession and one-third is a Mesozoic-Cenozoic succession. Therefore, the FB is thought to be a Paleozoic basin. The Paleozoic-Mesozoic stratigraphic framework of the FB was classified into six seismic sequences separated by the seven seismic boundaries. The main regional structural trend of the FB is NE-SW, the same trend as that of the Paleozoic Kufra Basin in Libya. In the FB, the major structural trend in the Early Paleozoic is NE-SW, whereas it is E-W in Late Paleozoic. Moreover, in Mesozoic Jurassic time, the dominant trends are E-W and ENE-WSW, and in Middle Cretaceous is ENE-WSW and in Upper Cretaceous are E-W and NE-SW. Regarding the tectonic subsidence rate, the FB passed three tectonic phases. The first tectonic phase has a high subsidence rate that occurred in the Paleozoic, resulting in the deposition of most of the sedimentary succession. The second and third tectonic phases occurred at a relatively low subsidence rate, resulting in the deposition of Mesozoic-Cenozoic deposits. The Paleozoic Silurian Kohla source rock passed the early generation phase in the Early Eocene (50 Ma) and reached a maximum generation rate of 2.77 (mg/gTOC^my) in Late Oligocene (27 Ma) that is considered a very low rate and did not allow for oil expulsion.
•A new frontier Paleozoic sedimentary basin named Foram Basin has been identified in the Western Desert of Egypt.•The northern boundary of the Dakhla Basin is determined.•The Foram and Dakhla basins are separated by a high basement area named Foram-Dakhla high.•The Foram Basin oriented in the NE-SW direction. That was configured in a Paleozoic with a high tectonic subsidence rate.
Extraction of groundwater for agriculture has resulted in the loss of springs across arid regions of the globe. The history and fate are recorded of the artesian springs of Egypt’s Western Desert, ...from ancient times to the present, spanning the rise and fall of the great civilisations from the Pharoanic dynasties to Persian, Greek and Roman conquests. The study area includes oases Kharga, Dakhla, Bahriya, Farafra and Siwa, and several outer and small oases around Siwa and the edge of the Qattara Depression. The region is hyper-arid, receiving 10 mm or less average annual precipitation and evaporation rates are in the vicinity of 3,000 mm/a. Groundwater in the oases is largely derived from bores discharging from the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer. Based on an extensive survey, conducted for the first time, attention is drawn to the rapid demise of springs as a result of modern irrigation schemes which continue to deplete groundwater supplies.
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