Ahmed Abdelhalim

This study presents an innovative methodology for Highway Route Selection (HRS), specifically tailored for mountainous terrains. The approach focuses on selecting the most suitable route for road alignment while prioritizing road safety and hydrological and geological considerations. Through systematic analysis, the methodology evaluates alternative road alignments by examining various risk factors related to geometric design, hydrological, and geological impacts. Utilizing Fault-Tree Analysis (FTA), 14 key design factors related to geometric design and environmental factors are identified. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the methodology in selecting road alignments that enhance safety and mitigate environmental risks. A case study is presented where a 90-km segment of a road in Egypt’s Golden Triangle Project, characterized by challenging terrain and diverse geological features, is examined. Through detailed analysis, the study identifies critical design factors to enhance road safety and minimize environmental impact. The methodology’s comprehensive approach offers insights into road design, providing a quantitative framework for decision-making and mitigation strategies.

Recently, the integrated different interdisciplinary studies derived the environmental solutions of the climate change impacts (e.g., cultivation, wastewater treatment, and managing groundwater resources) (Mesalhy et al. 2020, and Gobashy et al. 2021). Thus, this paper focused on the application of bioremediation to maximize the use of wastewater for new reclamation areas in the Northwest Egyptian desert (New Egyptian Delta (NED). In the NED project, the drainage water samples collected from Nile Delta drains will provide the main unconventional water resources for irrigation through the new Hammam canal. Therefore, three Pleurotus strains were grown moderately on two natural media, the first containing Salvia L. (sage) extract (MDA) and the second containing Thymus vulgaris L. (origanum thymus Kuntze, Thymus collinus Salisb) (TDA) extract replacing potato infusions in standard PDA. Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacquin; Kummer) strain records the highest growth among the three tested fungi on modified media. PO records 4.49 and 4.41 cm on (MDA) and (TDA), respectively. There is a marked decrease in the majority of heavy metal concentrations on sterile drainage water amended with PD broth and inoculated with three tested Pleurotus strains individually. At the end of the incubation period, Pleurotus ostereatus which expressed in abbreviation (PO) are more efficient in the removal of Al, Co, Cr, and Ni by 53.15, 95.87, 58.47, and 85.07%; respectively. Pleurorotus pulmonarius (Fr.) which symbolized (PP) is more potent in the removal of Cd, Si, Sn, Sr, and V by 70.37, 56.59, 41.19, 52.78, and 96.24%; respectively. Pleurotus floridanus (NZOR) which indicated as (PF) is actively over the former species in the removal of Ba, Fe, and Mo by 87.84, 46.67, and 97.34%; respectively. Cu, Mn, Pb, As, and Se could not be detected as the control sample recorded measurements below 0.009 mg L⁻¹. An unexpected increase in Zn among the different treatments was detected from 05.04 to 07.01%.

Recently the integrated different interdisciplinary studies derived the environmental solutions of the climate change impacts (e.g., cultivation, wastewater treatment, managing groundwater resources). Thus, this paper focused on the application of bioremediation to maximize the use of wastewater for new reclamation areas in the Northwest Egyptian desert (New Egyptian Delta (NED). In NED project, the drainage water samples collected from Nile Delta drains will provide the main unconventional water resources for irrigation through the new Hammam canal. Therefore, three Pleurotus isolates were grown moderately on two natural media, the first containing Salvia extract (MDA) and the second containing Thymus (TDA) extract replacing potato infusions in standard PDA. Pleurotus ostreatus (P.O) isolate records the highest growth among the 3 tested fungi on modified media. PO records 4.49 and 4.41 cm on (MDA) and (TDA); respectively. There is a marked decrease in the majority of heavy metals concentrations on sterile drainage water amended with liquid PDA broth and inoculated with three tested Pleurotus isolates individually. At the end of the incubation period, Pleurotus ostereatus are more efficient in the removal of Al, Co, Cr, Ni by 53.15, 95.87, 58.47, 85.07%; respectively. Pleurorotus pulmonarius (P.P) is more potent in the removal of Cd, Si, Sn, Sr, and V by 70.37, 56.59, 41.19, 52.78, 96.24%; respectively. Pleurotus floridanus (P.F) is actively over the former species in the removal of Ba, Fe, Mo by 87.84, 46.67, 97.34%; respectively. Cu, Mn, Pb, As, Se couldn’t be detected as the control sample recorded measurements below 0.009 mg L^-1. Unexpected increase in Zn among the different treatments was detected from 05.04% to 07.01%.

Gold mineralisation is spatially and chronologically correlated with fault/shear zones in many of the world-class gold mines. Hence, the indirect exploration for Au mineralisation is linked with shearing and complex structures in many areas. Hence, in general, the need for a rapid, effective and new technology for gold exploration that reflects the structure set-up, shear zones, faults and related structural elements is crucial in the gold industry. In this article, we present an example of an integrated approach to gold exploration in the Fawakheir-Attala gold mining prospect in the eastern desert of Egypt. Remote sensing is used to test for rock differentiation; intensive field geological investigations were conducted along several traverses. Petrographic and geochemical analysis of selected samples confirmed Au content in some localities. Moreover, magnetic methods are used extensively (either aeromagnetic or measured land profiles) to investigate the magnetic signature of the different reported rock units and their relationship with gold occurrences and deposits. Normalised source strength transformation, magnitude magnetic transforms and subsurface modelling are used to explore the inherent relation between the surface and subsurface magnetic susceptibilities. The magnetic signature of the talc-carbonate rocks is determined. The gradational contact against the serpentinite is explained. Because three current Au mines are associated with contacts/fractures, the clear relation between the contacts/fractures and the magnetic data and the comparison with the contact occurrence density COD (heat) magnetic filtered map, the present analysis workflow can now be used to suggest new locations for Au occurrences.

Gold mining is an important strategic sector. The search for mineral reserves is moving deeper as more accessible shallow resources are discovered. Geophysical techniques are now being employed more frequently in mineral exploration because they are quick and can provide crucial subsurface information for discovering potential metal deposits, particularly in high-relief and inaccessible places. The potential for gold in a large-scale gold mining (LSGM) locality in the South Abu Marawat area is investigated using a geological field investigation that includes rock sampling, structural measurements, detailed petrography, reconnaissance geochemistry, and thin section analysis, integrated with various transformation filters of surface magnetic data (analytic signal, normalized source strength, tilt angle), contact occurrence density maps, and tomographic modelling for the subsurface magnetic susceptibilities. The benefits of remote sensing (RS) and its technology in mapping detailed rock differentiation, and characterizing physical objects on the land surface using various spatial, and spectral resolution datasets are integrated. Both aeromagnetic and measured land magnetic profiles are used to investigate the area’s present geological conditions and possible future mining localities. Results indicate that gold mineralization in the study area is linked to the altered ultramafic zones that are associated with faulting and shearing and characterized by a low magnetic susceptibility anomaly.