Conceptual Merge of Ecohydrologic Watershed and Sponge City Techniques for Managed Sustainability and Strengthened Adaptive Capacity of Nile Delta Coastal Lakes, Egypt
Hala O. Abayazid
Dr. Hala Ossman Mokhtar Abayazid, Coastal Research Institute National Water Research Center Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Egypt.
Manuscript received on 11 March 2019 | Revised Manuscript received on 17 March 2019 | Manuscript published on 30 July 2019 | PP: 4319-4327 | Volume-8 Issue-2, July 2019 | Retrieval Number: A1167058119 /19©BEIESP | DOI: 10.35940/ijrte.A1167.078219
Open Access | Ethics and Policies | Cite | Mendeley | Indexing and Abstracting
© The Authors. Blue Eyes Intelligence Engineering and Sciences Publication (BEIESP). This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Abstract: Nile Delta coastal zone in Egypt has special socio-economic and environmental importance, with internationally acknowledged wetland systems. However, sustainability and adaptive capacity are compromised with progressive developments. Coastal lakes serve basins with intermixed industrial, urbanized and agricultural activities, which require an integrative approach for strengthened adaptivity and sustainability management. This research study presents an innovative management plan that conceptually merges the Eco-Hydrology approach with the recently initiated Sponge City approach. Principles of both approaches are reviewed to select components that are applicable and practically approved in the Egyptian conditions and evolving changes in the study area of Edku coastal lake. With an analysis of regional activities as well as the use of remote sensing techniques, the study first establishes a base insight into the historic spatiotemporal alterations in Edku lake and its served basin. Then, the climate change impact is incorporated by water balance-related factors to consider potential flood and/or drought risks in the adaptation plan. The study presents preliminary results with System Dynamics (SD) simulations. Various scenarios have been examined using VensimPLE×32-based SD modeling. The scenarios covered alternate combinations of the proposed measures. Optimal 25-year managerial EcoHydro-Spongic Strategy is found with gradual application of Sponge City measures to prevent 30% of wastewater discharges, while Ecohydrology measures are projected to reduce 60% of pollutant loads into Edku lake from agricultural lands. Further 10% of pollution reduction is achievable with applied phyto-technology within the Lake.
Keywords: Coastal Management, Edku Lake, Remote Sensing, Climate Change, System Dynamics, Nile Delta, Sponge City, Ecohydrology
Scope of the Article: Disaster Management