417
wetlands and lagoons that face the Mediterranean Sea. These lagoons contribute
significantly to the economics, environmental aspects and fishery production of the
country (Cataudella et al. 2015).
The three delta lagoons (Edku, Burullus and Manzala) have almost the same pattern of water salinity. Each of them receives large volumes of drainage water and
has one or more narrow connections to the sea (Table 13.1) (Cataudella et al. 2015).
During the year except at the winter enclosure period, freshwater enters the lagoons
in order to keep the water level in the lagoons higher than the sea level and preventing the intrusion of seawater. All lagoons are shallow water bodies with average
depth ranging between 0.8 and 1.0 m (Shaltout and Khalil 2005).
13.4 The Northern Lakes: Manzala, Brullus, Edku
and Mariout
The Northern Lakes under investigation are Manzala, Brullus, Edku and Mariout.
These lakes are in contact with the Mediterranean Sea and have a direct or indirect
relation with the Nile River. These lakes are natural environment for fauna and flora
and a home for emigrant birds.
13.4.1 Manzala Lagoon
13.4.1.1 Site Description
Lake Manzala, the largest of Egypt’s Mediterranean wetlands. Located within the
boundaries of five governorates: Dakahliya, Damietta, Port Said, Ismailia and
Sharkia, and bordered from the east by Suez Canal and from the west by Damietta
Branch and the Mediterranean from the north (EEAA 2010). The importance of this
lake is not only dependent on its size but also on its high productivity (Zakaria et al.
2007). It is shallow lake with average depth 1.3 m and located in the northeastern
corner of the Nile delta. They reported that the area had drastically reduced from
1100 km
2
in 1973 to 1052 km
2
in 1984 and finally became 720 km
2
in 2003. They
Table 13.1 State and water characteristics of Egyptian coastal lagoons during 2008
Lagoon
Area (ha)
Water sources
Water characteristics
Edku
8000
Drainage + sea
Freshwater- brackish
Burullus
41,000
Drainage + sea
Freshwater- brackish
Manzala
78,000
Drainage + sea
Freshwater- brackish
Abdel Rahman (2008)
13 Egyptian Nile Delta Coastal Lagoons: Alteration and Subsequent Restoration
wetlands and lagoons that face the Mediterranean Sea. These lagoons contribute
significantly to the economics, environmental aspects and fishery production of the
country (Cataudella et al. 2015).
The three delta lagoons (Edku, Burullus and Manzala) have almost the same pattern of water salinity. Each of them receives large volumes of drainage water and
has one or more narrow connections to the sea (Table 13.1) (Cataudella et al. 2015).
During the year except at the winter enclosure period, freshwater enters the lagoons
in order to keep the water level in the lagoons higher than the sea level and preventing the intrusion of seawater. All lagoons are shallow water bodies with average
depth ranging between 0.8 and 1.0 m (Shaltout and Khalil 2005).
13.4 The Northern Lakes: Manzala, Brullus, Edku
and Mariout
The Northern Lakes under investigation are Manzala, Brullus, Edku and Mariout.
These lakes are in contact with the Mediterranean Sea and have a direct or indirect
relation with the Nile River. These lakes are natural environment for fauna and flora
and a home for emigrant birds.
13.4.1 Manzala Lagoon
13.4.1.1 Site Description
Lake Manzala, the largest of Egypt’s Mediterranean wetlands. Located within the
boundaries of five governorates: Dakahliya, Damietta, Port Said, Ismailia and
Sharkia, and bordered from the east by Suez Canal and from the west by Damietta
Branch and the Mediterranean from the north (EEAA 2010). The importance of this
lake is not only dependent on its size but also on its high productivity (Zakaria et al.
2007). It is shallow lake with average depth 1.3 m and located in the northeastern
corner of the Nile delta. They reported that the area had drastically reduced from
1100 km
2
in 1973 to 1052 km
2
in 1984 and finally became 720 km
2
in 2003. They
Table 13.1 State and water characteristics of Egyptian coastal lagoons during 2008
Lagoon
Area (ha)
Water sources
Water characteristics
Edku
8000
Drainage + sea
Freshwater- brackish
Burullus
41,000
Drainage + sea
Freshwater- brackish
Manzala
78,000
Drainage + sea
Freshwater- brackish
Abdel Rahman (2008)
13 Egyptian Nile Delta Coastal Lagoons: Alteration and Subsequent Restoration