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Sinai Mesozoic basalts are restricted in its southwestern portion at Um Bogma area, where they occur as intra-continental fissure-fed sills, dykes, plugs and lava flows, following mainly the older structural and crustal weaknesses planes. During Late Paleozoic - Middle to Late Triassic, Egypt had witnessed sporadic tectonic disturbances and faulting activities accompanied by volcanisms. Faulting activity continued during Early to Middle Jurassic and was associated with crustal stretching and basaltic volcanism. At Um Bogma area, southwestern Sinai Peninsula, Middle Triassic, and Early Jurassic basaltic exposures intruded/extruded the Carboniferous sandstones. The main Mesozoic basalts outcrop at Gebel Farsh El Azraq - Gebel Himayir area, where they were successfully discriminated from their surrounding country rocks using Landsat-8 dataset. The Mesozoic basaltic rocks are the least reflective rocks and exhibit a characteristic spectral curve, compared to their country rocks. Landsat-8 bands 7, 5, 3 in RGB and Principal Component Analyses (PCA) technique were used in lithological discrimination of the Mesozoic basalts and their surrounding Late Neoproterozoic basement rocks and Phanerozoic sedimentary succession. Accordingly, a new geological map was produced for the study area. Petrography and geochemistry of these basalts were addressed. Characteristically they contain substantial MgO contents (22.24 to 7.09 wt%) and exhibit low TiO 2 (1.56–0.77 wt%) and P 2 O 5 (0.30–0.15 wt%) contents. Geochemically, they pertain to the low P 2 O 5 –TiO 2 continental tholeiitic to transitional basalts and point out to enriched MORB magma sources. They suggest derivation from spinel-garnet lherzolite source by moderate non-modal partial melting (ca 20–30%). Their petrogenesis was discussed and fractional crystallization modeling was performed as a plausible mechanism to be accounted for their evolutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flash floods in the Sinai often cause significant damage to infrastructure and even loss of life. In this study, the susceptibility to flash flooding is determined using hydro-morphometric characteristics of the catchments. Basins and their hydro-morphometric features are derived from a digital elevation model from NASA Earthdata. Principal component analysis is used to identify principal components with a clear physical meaning that explains most of the variation in the data. The probability of flash flooding is estimated by logistic regression using the principal components as predictors and by fitting the model to flash flood observations. The model prediction results are cross validated. The logistic model is used to classify Sinai basins into four classes: low, moderate, high and very high susceptibility to flash flooding. The map indicating the susceptibility to flash flooding in Sinai shows that the large basins in the mountain ranges of the southern Sinai have a very high susceptibility for flash flooding, several basins in the southwest Sinai have a high or moderate susceptibility to flash flooding, some sub-basins of wadi El-Arish in the center have a high susceptibility to flash flooding, while smaller to medium-sized basins in flatter areas in the center and north usually have a moderate or low susceptibility to flash flooding. These results are consistent with observations of flash floods that occurred in different regions of the Sinai and with the findings or predictions of other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bedouin tribes of Sinai have experienced a range of interventions in their way of life that have brought them into contention with different states and state agents. The self-identity of Bedouin tribes in Sinai has been drawn upon in struggles between Bedouin and governing authorities, which in recent history have included two empires and two nation-states. Even now, the Bedouin of Sinai exhibit minimal ties with the religious and political authorities of Egypt, a continuation of trends stretching back to the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. This article examines different facets of contemporary Sinai Bedouin life and explores the complexity of identity of the Sinai Bedouin through their traditional practices, including oral traditions that provide them with the counter-narratives by which they define themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sinai Peninsula was delineated to 62 hydrological catchments using WMS and GIS tools. Thirty geo-morphometric parameters were calculated for each catchment. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the important parameters namely Factor analysis (FA), Cluster Analysis (CA), and Regression Analysis (RA). FA resulted in the exclusion of some factors (filtration of parameters), as they do not have a significant relationship with other parameters. CA in Q-mode classified the 62 catchments concerning their close hydrological characteristics and in R-mode classified the parameters into 2 main groups and five sub-main groups. RA then presents the relation between the correlated parameters. The catchment area showed the highest correlation with other parameters. Finally, RA between highly correlated parameters was employed to develop relations between these parameters. The overall coherence of the data indicates the participation of the individual hydro-morphological parameters in several influence factors. A useful relation for the construction of unit hydrograph, according to [23] was developed. Multivariate studies yield a better understanding of the physical behavior in arid regions where the records of hydrological events are very scarce or absent. The results were found to be compatible with the fact that most studied basins related to the late period of geomorphological.

Trypanosomosis is a general term for infections caused by various trypanosome species in different hosts. The present study aimed to identify trypanosome subspecies infecting ruminant livestock in South Sinai Governorate, Egypt. An overall of 446 animals was examined by stained blood smears and by three sets of primers targeting 450, 205 & 436 bp of the DNA of Trypanozoon, T. evansi genotype A, and T. evansi genotype B. Of those examined animals, trypanosomes were present in 5(1.12%) under the microscope; (5.71%) in camels and (2.65%) in cattle and absent in sheep and goats. The internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS) specific primers identified only Trypanozoon infections, whereas other trypanosomes belonging to T. theileri, T. vivax, T. congolense did not amplify. There is an agreement in positivity between ITS1- rPCR and RoTat1.2 species-specific primers of T. evansi genotype A in 65/446(14.57%) in the same samples. Among the total, 22(32.35%) goats, 36(31.86%) cattle, and 7(20.0%) camels have T. evansi genotype A in a chronic phase infection, whereas sheep have no trypanosomes. The present sequenced isolates expressed in GenBank with accession numbers; MZ198117, MZ198118, MZ198119, MZ198120, and MZ198121. They are identical 100% with T. evansi genotype A, whereas genotype B and genotype C were absent. It was related to the other Egyptian and Philippines isolates, whereas it was distant from the reference Chinese, Mongolian, Indian, and some Iranian isolates in GenBank. We concluded that the present results were helpful to know genetic homogeneity among different strains in the eastern borders of Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed lithostratigraphic and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphic studies were carried out across the Paleocene–Eocene (P-E) that outcrops at Gebel Nezzazat (G. Nezzazat) in West Central Sinai (Egypt). The study interval spans from the upper part of the Tarawan Formation to the lowermost Thebes Formation covering the whole Esna Formation in between them. The Esna Formation had been subdivided into four members: the Hanadi, Dababiya Quarry, Mahmiya, and Abu Had Members. Five calcareous nannofossil biozones (NP7/8, NP9 to NP12) and four subzones (NP9a and NP9b and NP10a and NP10b) were recognized. The lowest occurrences (LOs) of Fasciculithus alanii group, Neochiastozygus junctus, Sphenolithus radians, and Blackites herculesii as well as the highest occurrence of F. alanii group and the increased frequency of N. junctus are biostratigraphically significant. On contrast, the LOs of Discoaster binodosus, Discoaster mahmoudii, Discoaster diastypus, Zygrhablithus bijugatus, and Campylosphaera dela as well as the LOs of Fasciculithus tympaniformis are unreliable bioevents. Calcareous nannofossils increase in abundance close to the P-E transition. Ericsonia subpertusa suddenly increases above the base of Eocene, whereas the diversity of Fasciculithus drops close to this level. The P-E boundary at G. Nezzazat was placed at the base of the Dababiya Quarry Member in coincidence with the base of Subzone NP9b that was delineated by the LOs of Discoaster araneus, Rhomboaster cuspis, Rhomboaster calcitrapa, Rhomboaster spineus, and Rhomboaster bitrifida. A small gap was recorded across the P-E boundary as indicated by the lack of the four beds of the Dababiya Quarry Member. The changes in calcareous nannofossil assemblages reveal warm-water and oligotrophic conditions prevailed during the transition at G. Nezzazat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nikolai Ivanovich Petrov (1840–1921) – Russian and Ukrainian scholar, professor of the Kiev Theological Academy, long-term curator in the Museum of Church Archaeology at the Kiev Theological Academy. A significant place in this collection belonged to the Byzantine icons bequeathed to the museum by A.N. Muravyov and Porfiry Uspensky. N.I. Petrov himself was engaged in the acquisition of these collections. The works of icon painting (unique in themselves), originating mainly from Sinai and Mount Athos gave impetus to the development of the science of Byzantine art in Russia. Unfortunately, most of them were lost during the World War II, but photographs from the archives make it possible to continue studying them. N.I. Petrov managed to appreciate the collection of ancient Sinai and Athonite icons at its true worth, lay the foundation for their systematic scientific study, make many correct dating and iconographic descriptions of the works acquired by the Museum, sometimes even more accurately than Academician N.P. Kondakov.

Abstract Background A hiking trail is one of the major recreational activities that have critical impacts on wildlife. Wadi Telah in Saint Katherine Protectorate (South Sinai, Egypt) (N 28.568539 and E 33.932816) is an important spot for biodiversity. It was surveyed for spatial variation in the diversity of flower-visiting insects at different distances from the hiking trail. The current study aimed at assessing the impact of some anthropogenic activities along the main hiking trail passing through W. Telah on the diversity of flower-visiting insects. Field monitoring of flower visitors across the hiking trail passing through W. Telah was carried out at different distances (~ 0, 20, 40, and 60 m) along both sides of the hiking trail. As a control, monitoring was performed at 120 m from the hiking trail. Results A total of 542 individuals belonging to 34 species of flower visitors, 16 families, from three orders were recorded within the study localities in W. Telah. Floral resources in Wadi Telah can be a limiting factor for the populations of flower visitors. There was a significant difference in the distribution of the flower visitors’ species richness among different distances from the hiking trail in W. Telah. Species richness and abundance of flower visitors and their associated floral resources were significantly positively correlated to the distance from the hiking trail. There were no significant differences in the diversity of flower-visiting insects among different distances from the trail, perhaps due to their mobility. Conclusions The present study showed that the hiking trail had a negative impact on flower visitors and their associated floral resources in Wadi Telah. The investigation on how different biodiversity elements respond to hiking trails allows greater insight for protectorate managers. The study can contribute to effective management decisions for current and future protectorates.

This paper explores Gregory of Nazianzus' understanding of the imagery of Mount Sinai (from the book of Exodus) with an eye towards its significance for the modern Church. For Gregory, Mount Sinai serves as a key image of the Church especially in its capacity as a knowledge-seeking body. Gregory frames the Church's quest for knowledge in explicitly hierarchical (though not necessarily clerical) terms, emphasizing the role and responsibility of those who would "ascend the mountain" of knowledge to gain theological insight. For Gregory, the Church's leaders, whether clergy or not, must be appropriately cautious (even fearful) about their epistemological ascent while nonetheless carrying out their essential duty to guide and teach the Church. Above all, such leaders must seek deep spiritual purity lest their quest for knowledge result in disaster. Remarkably, Gregory frames Christian conflict, both political and theological, as frequently arising from a failure to approach theological knowledge correctly in accordance with the image of Sinai as he understands it. When considered within the context of the Church's modern struggles, Gregory's message reads as a reminder to return to the work of knowledge-seeking with both diligence and deep caution as a way forward from our present-day struggles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multiple similarities between the Greek and Syriac eucharistic liturgies of Antioch and its hinterland on the one hand and the Jerusalem Liturgy of Saint James on the other hand situate Jerusalem within a single cultural area as regards liturgical life. Compared with Antioch, however, we have much more early evidence for the Liturgy of the Hours in Jerusalem. Main sources, which are briefly presented in the paper, are a) the Itinerary of Egeria, who in the 380s produced extensive liturgical notes on celebrations in the Anastasis cathedral and the related stational sites; b) the Armenian Lectionary, 5th century, which gives more specific detail of the services held in Jerusalem; c) the Georgian Lectionary, 6th century, which gives a slightly later stage of the material described in the Armenian Lectionary; d) the Old Iadgari, or first Jerusalem Tropologion, entirely preserved in Georgian. It is clear from these documents that the Anastasis Cathedral was officiated by monastic communities of different ethnic origins who used their own languages for their liturgical offices. We also have considerable evidence for this period for the Lavra of Saint Sabbas in the Judaean desert, where several ethnic communities prayed separately in their own languages, coming together only for the Eucharistic synaxis (in Greek). This multi-ethnic situation continues today on Mount Athos and continued throughout the Middle Ages on Sinai. The vast library of manuscripts at Saint Catherine's monastery is well known. It contains manuscripts in a very wide variety of Christian languages, including numerous liturgical texts. The Manuscript Sinai Arabic 232 (13th century) contains a complete Psalter, a complete Horologion and other texts. It can be shown to be of Alexandrian Melkite origin, used by Arabic-speaking monks who were part of the Sinai community. There are archaic and specifically Egyptian, and even Coptic, elements that are of special interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Spots of high radioactive anomalies were recorded in the ferruginous sandstone of the upper part of the Adedia and the lower member of Um Bogma formations at Wadi El Sahu, Sinai, Egypt. Two types of samples from Wadi El Sahu were considered, rock samples from the high radioactive ferruginous sandstone of the Adedia Formation and the lower member of Um Bogma formations and soil samples (stream sediments) from Wadi El Sahu deposits to measure the natural radiation from 238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K using gamma-ray spectrometry. The absorbed dose rates in air (D) obtained from the specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were calculated consequently; annual effective dose (AEDout) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were calculated. The results illustrated that values of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K for soil samples are much lower than the corresponding values of the mother rock. The remobilisation parameter and the difference between chemically and radiometrically measured uranium confirm uranium migration in the studied rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At southern Sinai, metaluminous coarse-grained I-type granites crop out at Wadi Umm Adawi area. These rocks are petrographically classified as quartz diorite, tonalite, and granodiorite of volcanic arc tectonic regime. The rocks host variable amounts of mafic enclaves of quartz diorite and diorite composition. These enclaves may provide significant indications about the petrogenesis of the host granite. Plagioclase, hornblende, and apatite of the mafic enclaves preserved some petrographic features (zoning, resorbed nature, prismatic and acicular shapes) favoring magma mixing origin. The mafic enclaves and the enclosing older granites have magnesian and metaluminous characters. The mafic enclaves and the enclosing granite display convergence values of the estimated temperatures of crystallization (662–862 °C) and pressures (1.1–3.1 kbar) and all of them formed under moderate oxygen fugacity (ƒO2) conditions. Granite samples and the enclosed mafic enclaves display similar major oxide content indicating a parallel evolution trend. They display parallel trace and rare earth element patterns with enrichment of LILE (Rb, Th, and K) and depletion of HFSE (Ce, Hf, Zr, Sm, and Y). Chondrite normalized patterns of rare earth elements display slight enrichment of LREE and slight depletion of HREE with negligible Eu anomaly. Petrographical criteria, mineral chemistry, major, trace, and rare earth elements abundant indicate that magma mixing processes have prevailed during the evolution of the mafic enclaves and the host granitic rocks. The older granites and the enclosing enclaves are considered as cognate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exactly one month before the outbreak of the Great War, on 28 June 1914, Thomas Edward Lawrence hastily wrote a note to the great specialist in Arabic epigraphy, the Swiss scholar Max van Berchem. At that time Lawrence, together with Charles Leonard Woolley, was preparing the publication of The Wilderness of Zin, regarding the archaeological survey of the southern Negev conducted shortly before on behalf of the Palestine Exploration Fund. Discussing the problems of archaeological research at a time when the European powers were seeking to consolidate their strategic positions in the Middle East in view of the impending war, this article touches on the birth of Arabic epigraphy through the epigraphic evidence left by the penultimate Mameluke Sultan, Qansuh al-Ghuri. In particular, the paper provides an update on the inscription from Naqb (Sinai/Negev) referring to the Muslim pilgrimage from Cairo to Mecca, the subject of Lawrence's letter to van Berchem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The massive Israeli–Egyptian tank battle in the Sinai on 14 October 1973 constituted a turning point on the southern front during the Yom Kippur War. The crushing Israeli victory set the stage for another turning point on this front, the Israeli counter-crossing of the Suez Canal. Yet, the battle of 14 October has received rather scant attention from military historians. This article, therefore, attempts to fill a gap in the literature about the Yom Kippur War by describing and analysing the battle itself, as well as by highlighting its broader impact on the course of hostilities in the Sinai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Although Sinai is a global hotspot for desert vegetation, there is no well‐documented overview of the Sinai vegetation. We aim to provide a phytosociological overview of Sinai desert vegetation based on an extensive database and formal classification. We further aim to describe the vegetation communities and provide information on their distribution. Location: Sinai, Egypt. Methods: We built a comprehensive database utilizing all available vegetation plot data of the study area from published literature and our field surveys. We determined the database clustering tendency (Hopkins' test analysis) and estimated its optimal number of clusters (Elbow method). We performed a cluster analysis (modified TWINSPAN) and improved the validity of the resulting groups by approximating natural clustering using the Silhouette algorithm. We visualized the results by calculating Non‐metric Multidimensional Scaling and drawing distribution maps for the observed vegetation communities. Results: We distinguished nine classes representing Sinai desert vegetation: Salicornietea fruticosae, Retametea raetam, Haloxylonetea salicornici, Retamo‐Tamaricetea fluviatilis, Acacietea tortilis, Artemisietea herbae‐albae, Anabasietea articulatae, Chiliadenetea iphionoidis, and Stellarietea mediae. We distinguished 25 vegetation groups, of which seven are new findings, representing four main vegetation groups: salt desert, lowland desert, mountain desert, and ruderal desert. We observed a high diversity in life forms, chorotypes, and alpha‐diversity of the vegetation among the main groups. Therophytes, chamaephytes, hemicryptophytes, and phanerophytes are the dominant life forms. Prevailing chorotypes are Saharo‐Arabian, Mediterranean, Mediterranean‐Irano‐Turanian and Irano‐Turanian‐Saharo‐Arabian. The salt desert and lowland desert vegetation are species‐poor, whereas the mountain desert vegetation is relatively species‐rich. The ruderal desert vegetation is the most species‐rich. Conclusion: We present a common classification of Sinai desert vegetation based on cutting‐edge methods and provide an updated description of the desert vegetation groups of Sinai. Our study forms an important basis for decision‐making in nature conservation, global change issues, and further in‐depth studies on Sinai vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first part of the paper discusses the written testimonies about the history of the cult of the holy fathers of Sinai and Raithou at St. Catherine’s monastery and the visual representations of these saints in East Christian art. The Sinai icons in question are then analysed in two ways. First, the choice of figures of the saints in the upper registers of the icons is considered. On the other hand, the iconography of the forty Sinai and Raithou martyrs is studied in greater detail. It is shown that representations of the celebrated holy monks were used to paint their “portraits”.

Abstract: Tel Habwa is located at a distance of 3 km east of the Suez Canal to the northeast of the city of Qantara east, and contains the site of engraved archaeological inscriptions of several stones, perhaps the most greatly affected were Limestone plates because these plates were affected by the surrounding environment, especially some of these plates were buried in salt soil moist until recently, which led to the fall of large parts of them, which prompted the researcher to study these plates, and to determine the status of these plates and what it saw Damage has been checked and analyzed component It was found that the archaeological area suffers from the impact of heat, wind, rain and magnifying lenses. In the X-ray dispersing unit (EDX, XRD diffraction), the plates were made up of calcite CaCO3, Ankerite Ca (Fe2,Mg,Mn2)(CO3)2, hematite Fe2O3 and a percentage of quartz SiO2, and they contained salts such as halite NaCl, Caminite Mg7(SO4)5(OH)4.H2O and Blodite Na2Mg(SO4)2 (H2O)4

Al-Gor area is a part of Southwestern Sinai of Egypt. It is considered as one of the most promising areas for mineralization in Egypt, being rich in many mineral deposits of: manganese, iron, copper, zinc, lead, cobalt, nickel, silver, gibbsite, and uranium. Besides, some industrial ore minerals such as kaolin and glass sand,. . . etc. are also found in this area. The area was studied by Gama-ray spectrometry to trace the radioactive anomalies, their concentrations and their relationship to the existing rocks, and by magnetic survey to study the relationship of radioactive anomalies and their trends with the trends of geological structures. The gamma-ray spectrometric maps show different levels over the surveyed area, which reflect contrasting radioelement contents for the exposed various rock types. The highest radiospectrometric levels are located in the northwest southeast direction and some scattered parts all over the study area. They are mainly associated with Um-Bogma Formation, bearing gibbsite. The study area possesses radiospectrometric ranging between 0.6 and 110.9Ur as a total-count, 0.1 to 1.8% for K, 0.1 to 99 ppm for eU and 0.1 to 23 ppm for eTh. The qualitative analyses of magnetic data show the existences of a number of different magnetic anomalies, with different amplitudes and frequencies as well as trends. From the application of spectral analyses of magnetic data, the regional and residual depths of magnetic anomalies can be computed. The first depth represents the regional (deep-seated) anomalies, at about 75 m and the residual (shallow-seated) anomalies, at about 20 m. The trends of the structures as derived from the spectrometric and ratio maps correspond to those inferred from the residual-component magnetic map, which reflects the effect of structures on the concentration of radioactive elements and, consequently mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early followers of Jesus and later rabbinical Jews, two divergent branches of Judaism emerging respectively from the Second Temple and Post-Second Temple eras, both drew upon the cultural memory of Sinai to establish their identity. This article examines how the author of Acts used the Sinai imagery of theophanic fire in the Pentecost narrative of Acts 2 to reinforce a continu­ation of Judaism and offer an inclusive expansion of it to gentile believers. Then it looks at how later rabbinic sources used Sinai images of fire and multiple languages to reinforce the authority of the Torah and their exclusive identity within the Sinai relationship.

The origin of ancient Israel has been questioned and intensively discussed for almost two centuries by many researchers, from two main schools of thought. One believes the early Israelites came from outside the Land of Cana‘an and conquered it, while the other believes they rose from within Cana‘an, forming a new polity and culture. Scholars are likewise divided whether the Israelite God, Yhwh, originated from the Near Eastern cultural environment or from the desert. A multitude of studies has been dedicated to these two themes, usually separately. This article attempts to examine the connection between the two through several themes: desert roots in the culture of ancient Israel, the origin of Yhwh, Asiatics in Sinai and the Negev, desert tribes and the copper industry, the location of biblical Paran, Nabataean data from Sinai which illuminate biblical issues, and others. By including materials which were previously underutilized or overlooked, these themes may be integrated to form a reasonable scenario of a chapter in the history of early Israel.

Amongst all the potential field methods, gravity data constitutes the frequently measured geophysical information for deep seated lithospheric structures. The present work aims to outline the structural pattern, the main basins of Sinai and the depths to both Conrad and Moho discontinuities (CMD) by utilizing the gravity data. Several basins were depicted based on high-pass filtered gravity map and much of them are in a close agreement with the former studies. Additionally, the dominant fault trends are NE, NW, EW and ENE. An empirical equation was applied to low-pass-filtered gravity data to estimate the depth of the CMD. However, the thickness of the sedimentary basins increases northwards, reaching approximately 8 km, the minimum depths of Conrad and Moho discontinuities were attained in the northern compartments to be about 18 and 31 km respectively. Meanwhile, far a way to the south, the maximum detectable depth of Conrad and Moho discontinuities are 21 and 37 km. Eventually, 2D gravity modeling was constructed and constrained by 15 drilled wells and the calculated depth of CMD to figure out the comprehensive lithospheric geometry beneath Sinai Peninsula.

A mixture experimental design resulted in water-ethanol mixture to replace toxic extractants used to date and enhance greenness of extraction procedure. Oleuropein (OLP) and tyrosol (TYR) contents, in leaves from five olive Egyptian cultivars (North Sinai – Egypt) at different times representing summer, winter, and spring, respectively, were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) attached with photo diode array detector (DAD). The results showed that the concentration of OLP and TYR in leaf samples collected in spring and winter was higher than in summer seasons in different varieties. Tyrosol (TYR) and squalene (SQL) contents in oil, from different six olive oil commercial products that are popularly used in El-Arish, were bought from El-Arish local market and were determined as well using another HPLC-DAD method. This work can help nutraceutical companies attempting to manufacture medical products from olive leaves selecting best cultivar and optimum collection season of olive leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wadi Telah in the St. Katherine region of the Sinai, Egypt, is a high mountainous habitat with an outstanding biodiversity. At the same time, it is a preferred tourist destination and hiking area. It order to find out whether hiking has a negative effect on the insect populations in the area, a survey was carried out for the spatial variation of the diversity of gall-inducing insects at different distances from the main hiking trail. A total of 42,317 specimens of six gall-inducing insect species was found, belonging to three orders. Both the species richness and the abundance of gall-inducing insects were significantly positively correlated with the distance from the trail. In most species, the proportion of galled plants was significantly positively correlated with the distance from the hiking trail. These results indicate that even the "soft" disturbance resulting from a hiking trail has negative environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Species of the genus Spogostylum are ectoparasitoids of solitary bees and wasps (order: Hymenoptera), Meloidae (order: Coleoptera), and immature stages of Pyralidae (order: Lepidoptera). Some species were also recorded as predators of egg pods of Acrididae (order: Orthoptera). Spogostylum niphasoides sp. nov. was collected from South Sinai, Egypt. It is described in the present study where it differs from closely related species in having all hairs and bristles mostly white, except some few hairs on outer side of pedicel, short spines on legs, and short hairs on costal margin of wing which are black. Also, antennae and legs mostly yellowish-brown, tibial spines short, about half the tibial width, and the male genitalia are obviously distinctive, having the aedeagal sheath with a broad and complicated tip, enclosing the aedeagal tip. An updated checklist of the Egyptian Spogostylum spp. is provided.

Sinai Peninsula was delineated to 62 hydrological catchments using WMS and GIS tools. Thirty geo-morphometric parameters were calculated for each catchment. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the important parameters namely Factor analysis (FA), Cluster Analysis (CA), and Regression Analysis (RA). FA resulted in the exclusion of some factors (filtration of parameters), as they do not have a significant relationship with other parameters. CA in Q-mode classified the 62 catchments concerning their close hydrological characteristics and in R-mode classified the parameters into 2 main groups and five sub-main groups. RA then presents the relation between the correlated parameters. The catchment area showed the highest correlation with other parameters. Finally, RA between highly correlated parameters was employed to develop relations between these parameters. The overall coherence of the data indicates the participation of the individual hydro-morphological parameters in several influence factors. A useful relation for the construction of unit hydrograph, according to [23] was developed. Multivariate studies yield a better understanding of the physical behavior in arid regions where the records of hydrological events are very scarce or absent. The results were found to be compatible with the fact that most studied basins related to the late period of geomorphological. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study integrates remote sensing and geophysical data to identify the hydrological conditions of the Naqab reservoir watershed. The main objectives of this study are identification and the interpretation of subsurface structures and their impact on groundwater flow, the relationships between structures and groundwater and the optimum way for watershed management in this subbasin. Geophysical data including, ground magnetic survey and 1D electrical resistivity sounding helped in identifying the lithology and delineating zones of groundwater occurrence. The magnetic data delineated the basement rock, aided in characterizing the geometry of the subsurface structures that control the land surface features and constrain groundwater flow system. The interpreted subsurface structure elements include six sets of faults trending NE-SW, NW-SE, NWW-SEE, NEE-SWW, N-S and E-W. The basement depth was estimated at zero at the southern part and about 5187 m at the northern part. Two aquifer systems were characterized, the shallow aquifer of the Wata Formation (Upper Cretaceous) and the deep aquifer of the Malha Formation (Lower Cretaceous). The probability of groundwater occurrence increases towards the central part of the study area to north direction, where the thickness of the sedimentary basin reaches its maximum at the center of the study area. Different trends of faults were interpreted from the geoelectrical cross-sections along two transects. Three patterns of faults were characterized including step faults, graben faults and horst faults. These faults could be indicated on the geo-electrical section by a marked difference in the layers' thicknesses. The magnetic data confirmed the locations of the faults delineated by the electrical resistivity profiles. The outlined faults are trending mainly in NE-SW, NW-SE, NWW-SEE, NEE-SWW and E-W directions. Lineament structures delineation and drainage pattern analysis were evaluated and interpreted from the analysis of remote sensing (RS) data and geographic information system (GIS) technique. The SRTM-DEM (Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission-Digital Elevation Model) was also utilized to automatically identify and extract drainage network. Interpretation and analysis of the inferred lineament structures indicate the presence of a number of main lineament populations that trends: NE-SW, NW-SE, NNW-SSE, NWW-SEE, E-W and N-S. Meanwhile, the interpretation and analysis of drainage pattern network indicate the presence of three main lineament structures that trends: NW-SE, NE-SW and NWW-SEE. Azimuth distribution analysis of both the measured structures and drainage channels shows similar trends, except for very few differences in the prevailing trends. Similarity in orientation of lineament structures, drainage system, and subsurface structural trends were recognized in the area under study. In conclusion, the integration between remote sensing and geophysical data revealed a close matching between the surface structural lineaments and subsurface structural trends could be verified. The preferred conduits of surface run-off and groundwater flow, as well as, the proper locations for groundwater exploitation could be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egypt is going to establish several projects in arid area for the development of agricultural land such as North Sinai Agricultural Development Project (NSADP). It aims to reclaim about 415,000 acres. Two-third of the total area is irrigated by Nile water in a 1:1 ratio mixed with the drainage water. The remaining area still needs a source of water. This study aims to propose a hydraulic solution for the reuse of 5 Mm3/day from Bahr El-Baqar drain to cover the extra required water for NSADP. A 1D hydraulic model using HEC-RAS is developed to find solutions for the potential problems and propose the best operating scenarios for the required hydraulic structures. Three alternatives were studied; hence the study showed the need for a new channel with three regulator structures to solve water level and velocity problems. The study provides useful reference for the operation of the three regulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into Bedouin culture by predominantly male scholars has tended to rely on analysing nineteenth-century traveller accounts, Cartesian maps and documenting oral histories. Much less attention has been paid to the role of Bedouin women's handicrafts as a form of mapping and cultural knowledge production. In this article I reflect on the impact of commissioning an embroidered map of the Sinai during a British Academy/Leverhulme funded research project on Bedouin tribal borders and consider how collaborative engagements with traditional women's handicrafts can be used as a form of artistic research practice, historical analysis and community mapping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El-Qaa plain in the South Sinai is one of Egypt’s promising regions for sustainable development. The groundwater forms the primary sources of development in this region. The present study aims to identify the groundwater resources in El-Qaa plain area, Southern Sinai, Egypt. ASTER-TIR indices (Carbonate Index, Quartz Index, and Mafic Index) combined for the first ones with geophysical and geospatial data using fuzzy overlay spatial model (FOSM) to define the potential zones of groundwater in the area of study. The resultant model was tested and validated using the available well data of groundwater in the area of study. The results revealed that over 65% of EL-Qaa area is high to moderate with groundwater potentiality. The favorable areas for groundwater storing are nearly situated in the areas of high infiltration (high pixel values of carbonate and quartz indices) in the northwestern part of EL-Qaa area. Also, the regions in the central western, mid, and northeastern portions of the area of study where fractured rocks are dominant and reasonably higher rainfall. The results demonstrated the potential capacity of ASTER-TIR indices to assess groundwater potential in arid and semi-arid regions when integrated with other geospatial data as a reconnaissance tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Sinai includes Egypt's highest mountains that resemble an ecological island surrounded by desert. The present study aims to analyse the vegetation physiognomy along the altitudinal and environmental gradients in the main wadi beds in South Sinai mountainous region. This includes determining the natural, native-weed and alien vegetation in representative stands in this region, analysing their vegetation in terms of species composition, abundance and life forms and determining the national and global distribution of the associated species. This investigation also aims to describe the prevailing plant communities and assess the role of environmental conditions that affect the vegetation in this region. Thus, thirty-two stands were chosen during March–June 2018 to reflect the prevailing altitude and environmental gradients. Total species was 316 (229 genera and 61 families): 186 species were perennials (58.9%), while 130 were annuals (41.1%). In addition, 152 species were native weeds (48.1% of total species), 31 were aliens (9.8%), along with 133 natural species (42.1%). Eight species were recorded as endemic to Egypt: Anarrhinum pubescens, Euphorbia sanctae-catharinae, Hypericum sinaicum, Origanum syriacum subsp. sinaicum, Phlomis aurea, Primula boveana, Rosa arabica and Solanum sinaicum. In addition, 10 species were recorded as near-endemics to Egypt and other adjacent countries: Allium desertorum, Asclepias sinaica, Centaurea scoparia, Fagonia mollis var. hispida, Hyoscyamus boveanus, Iphiona mucronata, Micromeria sinaica, Pterocephalus sanctus, Salvia deserti and Stachys aegyptiaca. In the present study, 33 species are threatened and categorized as follows: 8 endangered, 8 vulnerable and one indeterminate, while the rest were evaluated by the authors as rares. The rich plant diversity of this region is due to its extensive mountainous massif, which supports many microhabitats. The high elevations in this region hinder the dispersal process of propagules, a situation which often tends to increase endemic and near-endemic species. The current results were discussed and compared with some related previous studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the population ecology of endangered plants provides important baseline information for its monitoring and conservation. Juniperus phoenicea L. is an endangered species in arid ecosystems in Africa and the Middle East. The static life tables, survival curve and age structure of J. phoenicea populations from two mountains in North Sinai, Egypt (Gabal (G.) El-Halal and G. El-Maghara) were investigated. In each mountain, fifteen plots were selected, and field measurements such as stand density, tree height, and crown diameter were conducted. Moreover, 44 trees were cored and cross-dated according to standard dendrochronological procedures. The results showed that the tree ages ranged from 50 to 262 years at G. El-Halal and 96 to 431 years at G. El-Maghara. Mature J. phoenicea individuals dominated the study area, with only a few individuals being younger than 100 years. Moreover, seedling recruitment was extremely limited. Since the studied J. phoenicea populations showed high mortality rates among both old and young individuals, there is an imminent need for establishing a conservation program to prevent its extinction in the future. Therefore, management and conservation efforts should be made to minimize human disturbance and protect the relic habitats of this endangered species at its southern distribution limits in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A hiking trail is one of the major recreational activities that have critical impacts on wildlife. Wadi Telah in Saint Katherine Protectorate (South Sinai, Egypt) (N 28.568539 and E 33.932816) is an important spot for biodiversity. It was surveyed for spatial variation in the diversity of flower-visiting insects at different distances from the hiking trail. The current study aimed at assessing the impact of some anthropogenic activities along the main hiking trail passing through W. Telah on the diversity of flower-visiting insects. Field monitoring of flower visitors across the hiking trail passing through W. Telah was carried out at different distances (~ 0, 20, 40, and 60 m) along both sides of the hiking trail. As a control, monitoring was performed at 120 m from the hiking trail. Results: A total of 542 individuals belonging to 34 species of flower visitors, 16 families, from three orders were recorded within the study localities in W. Telah. Floral resources in Wadi Telah can be a limiting factor for the populations of flower visitors. There was a significant difference in the distribution of the flower visitors' species richness among different distances from the hiking trail in W. Telah. Species richness and abundance of flower visitors and their associated floral resources were significantly positively correlated to the distance from the hiking trail. There were no significant differences in the diversity of flower-visiting insects among different distances from the trail, perhaps due to their mobility. Conclusions: The present study showed that the hiking trail had a negative impact on flower visitors and their associated floral resources in Wadi Telah. The investigation on how different biodiversity elements respond to hiking trails allows greater insight for protectorate managers. The study can contribute to effective management decisions for current and future protectorates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egypt suffers from freshwater crisis, and the shortage is predicted to become severe by 2025. Egypt is exposed to flash floods, especially in Sinai governorate, causing rapid rises of water in a short amount of time and can trigger other catastrophic hazards associated with damage, danger to human life, properties and environment. Flash floods may be considered a source of water that can be explored to meet the water shortage problem. In this study, a composite flash floods vulnerability index based on an integrated hydro-climatic and physical vulnerability component was created. The composite index was based on eight parameters including rainfall distribution, elevation and slope, flow direction, streams, geomorphological features, soil type and land cover. The composite index was ranked into three categories: high, moderate and low. The index can help identify the weak and strong points to support the decision-making process concerned with water management as an essential prerequisite for Egypt sustainable development. The results revealed that the urban, vegetation cover, loamy sand, sand dunes, the low elevation and the flat areas are the most affected by the flash floods in EL-Arish City in Sinai governorate. 42% of Wadi El-Arish had low vulnerability, 45% moderate vulnerability and 13% high vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed study of calcareous nannofossils was conducted on a well-exposed succession encompassing the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary interval at Wadi Nukhul, Sinai, Egypt, as a part of the southern Tethyan margin. The nannofossil biostratigraphic data show that the Nukhul succession sustains a complete K-Pg boundary interval. The nannofossil assemblage indicates a shift from cool/oligo-mesotrophic conditions in the late Maastrichtian Micula murus Zone to warm/oligotrophic in the latest Maastrichtian M. prinsii Zone prior to the K-Pg boundary. At the K-Pg boundary, diversity, and total abundance of the calcareous nannofossils remarkably decreased signifying unstable marine conditions. The post-impact assemblage (lowermost part of NP1 Zone) was marked by acme of Cervisiella operculata indicating oligotrophic conditions in the photic zone related to the diminished of the marine primary producers in the lowermost Danian. At the upper portion of the NP1 Zone, the assemblage is still dominated by C. operculata , besides the successive occurrence of the small-sized incoming Paleocene taxa Biantholithus sparsus and Neobiscutum romeinii. This pattern was accompanied by increased frequencies of Zeugrhabdotus sigmoides indicating stressful cool/meso-eutrophic surface water conditions signify the initial recovery interval. Upward in the early Danian NP2-NP3 zones, the nannofossil species diversity and total abundance progressively increased. Also, the nannofossil assemblage characterized by the existence of the new Paleocene oligotrophic indicators like Cruciplacolithus primus , Coccolithus pelagicus , and Ericsonia subpertusa. This probably indicates a tendency toward rebuilding of the biological pump efficiency and, therefore, a full recovery phase was resumed. • One complete stratigraphic section comprising the K-Pg boundary examined in detail. • Calcareous nannofossils reflect a remarkable turnover at the K-Pg boundary. • Cervisiella operculata acme in the survival interval indicating starving ocean. • Initial recovery was evidenced by the presence of the dwarfed Paleocene taxa. • Restoration of the biological pump was indicated in the early Danian NP2-NP3 zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Paleocene hemipelagic deposits of the Dakhla Formation in Sinai offer an ideal setting to investigate paleoenvironmental fluctuations using benthic foraminifera. This study examined a Danian-Selandian sedimentary succession at Themed, Sinai using quantitative foraminiferal analysis within a sequence stratigraphic framework. Quantitative multivariate analyses, including R-mode clustering and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination of biofacies trends and diversity parameters, indicate considerable paleoenvironmental and paleobathymetric changes throughout the studied succession. Five transgressive-regressive (T-R) sequences were identified based primarily on benthic foraminiferal biofacies trends. The sequence boundaries correlated well with major global sea-level lowstands. Benthic foraminiferal assemblages elucidated paleobathymetry fluctuations between upper bathyal and middle-outer neritic settings across the sequences. The identified sequences strongly correlate to global eustatic cycles, with subtle disparities suggesting a subordinate role for regional tectonics overprinting the dominant sea level control. The Latest Danian Event (LDE) interval coincides with the regressive phase of the fourth T-R sequence, as revealed from the biostratigraphic-constrained isotopic signature. It showed pronounced peaks in the relative abundance of the eutrophic buliminids, likely reflecting enhanced export productivity. Overall, benthic foraminifera provided vital paleoenvironmental insights, enabling sequence stratigraphic interpretation in the monotonous hemipelagites and highlighting possible coupled dynamics of both the carbon cycle and sea level. • Quantitative benthic foraminiferal biofacies enabled sequence stratigraphic interpretation. • Benthic foraminifera indicate fluctuations between bathyal and neritic settings. • Five transgressive-regressive 3rd order sequences were identified. • Sequences matched global eustatic cycles with slight regional tectonic overprinting. • Stressed benthic taxa indicative of perturbed conditions during the Latest Danian Event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The variations in assemblages of calcareous nannofossils are tracked in the Dakhla and Tarawan Formations exposed at Gebel Nezzazat (central Sinai, Egypt). Five calcareous nannofossil biozones, namely NP2/3, NP4, NP5, NP6, and NP7/8 are identified. A distinct marker bed related to the Latest Danian Event (LDE) occurs within the Dakhla Fm. The earliest representative of fasciculiths, Lithoptychius schmitzii, first occurs just below the LDE distinct bed and is followed by the Los of Diantholitha alata, D. mariposa, L. varolii, L. felis, and L. collaris. The abundance of calcareous nannofossils drops within the LDE distinctive bed. The base of Selandian Stage is here approximated at the base of Zone NP5 in concurrence with a sudden drop in the abundance of calcareous nannofossils. No considerable lithological changes are noted across this transition. The absence of subsequent occurrences of L. ulii, L. janii, L. billii, and L. stegostus suggest inconsistent lowest occurrences (Los) of these taxa, insufficient sampling resolution, and/or a hiatus. The base of Thanetian is approximated with the base of Zone NP7/8 in the topmost of Dakhla Fm. No considerable changes in calcareous nannofossil assemblages are associated in correspondence to this transition except the LO of D. mohleri, lowest continuous occurrence (LctO) of Bomolithus megastypus, and the increase in abundance of Heliolithus kleinpellii as well as a sudden drop in abundance within Zone NP7/8. The variations in calcareous nannofossil assemblages at Gebel Nezzazat suggest prevailing warm-water and oligotrophic conditions during the Paleocene and particularly along the Danian Stage that are interrupted by minor fluctuations in paleoclimatic conditions. In particular, the Danian–Selandian transition marks a decrease in warm and oligotrophic conditions that persisted along the Selandian Stage. The Selandian–Thanetian transition shows an increase of warm and oligotrophic conditions prevailed in the Thanetian record. The sudden decrease in abundance of calcareous nannofossils in both the Selandian and Thanetian is likely resulted from an increase in dissolution of carbonates rather than variations in the paleotemperature and/or paleofertility.

Water depletion is a growing problem in the world’s arid and semi-arid areas, where groundwater is the primary source of fresh water. Accurate climatic data must be obtained to protect municipal water budgets. Unfortunately, the majority of these arid regions have a sparsely distributed number of rain gauges, which reduces the reliability of the spatio-temporal fields generated. The current research proposes a series of measures to address the problem of data scarcity, in particular regarding in-situ measurements of precipitation. Once the issue of improving the network of ground precipitation measurements is settled, this may pave the way for much-needed hydrological research on topics such as the spatiotemporal distribution of precipitation, flash flood prevention, and soil erosion reduction. In this study, a k-means cluster analysis is used to determine new locations for the rain gauge network at the Eastern side of the Gulf of Suez in Sinai. The clustering procedure adopted is based on integrating a digital elevation model obtained from The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM 90 × 90 m) and Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) for four rainy events. This procedure enabled the determination of the potential centroids for three different cluster sizes (3, 6, and 9). Subsequently, each number was tested using the Empirical Cumulative Distribution Function (ECDF) in an effort to determine the optimal one. However, all the tested centroids exhibited gaps in covering the whole range of elevations and precipitation of the test site. The nine centroids with the five existing rain gauges were used as a basis to calculate the error kriging. This procedure enabled decreasing the error by increasing the number of the proposed gauges. The resulting points were tested again by ECDF and this confirmed the optimum of thirty-one suggested additional gauges in covering the whole range of elevations and precipitation records at the study site.

The first record of Chaetomium iranianum (Ascomycota, Chaetomiaceae) for the Egyptian and African fungi is reported here. The species was found during an extensive taxonomic and ecological revision of genus Chaetomium supported by Science and Development Technology Fund (STDF) in Egypt. Chaetomium iranianum identified phenotypically and was subjected to sequencing for confirmation of phenotypic identification. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1–5.8 s – ITS2 rDNA sequences obtained were compared with those deposited in the GenBank Database and registered with accession number MF787598 in the NCBI Database. We provide an updated full description and illustration of the species.