Effect of Fresh and Saline Water Intrusion in Bitter Lakes Region on Agricultural Soil Degradation

 TO STUDY the effect of fresh and saline water intrusion on the Bitter lakes region, five transacts have been taken along the southern part of the Bitter Lakes in Ismailia Governorate. Their locations were Deferswar, Abu Sultan, El-Saidia, Fayed and Fanara. These transect have been taken from the shoreline of the Bitter Lakes up to the Suez fresh water canal. Soil profiles were dug at each transect to the water table level and soil samples were collected from different layers of different soil profiles. The data showed that soluble salts of the surface layer (0-60cm) decrease sharply from the shoreline of Bitter Lakes towards the fresh water canal. Total cations such as Na, Ca, Mg, K, Fe and Mn were evaluated at each layer of profiles, and their distribution with the surface layers of the water tables. The data showed that the moisture percent of all soil profiles increased gradually in different layers up to water table level. With regard to the probability of impact of sea level rise on the coastal stability of the Bitter lakes, it was found that the area extended between zero and one meter level contributes about 8.0% of the study area. It is extended along the western side of the Bitter lakes and eastern Malaria drainage. The area extended between 1.0-2.0m levels contributes about 11.0 % of the study area and protected from the saline water intrusion by the main Malaria drainage. The area extended between 2.0-3.0m levels contributes about 19% of the studied area. It is located mainly in sarabium, Deferswar and Fayed regions. The area above 3m height represents the rest of the case study area which contributes more than 60%. It is mostly elongated adjacent to the Suez Canal fresh water.