Water Resources And Desert Soils Division
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Water Resources And Desert Soils Division
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Geophysical Exploration Department
Renewable Energy Research Department
Hydrogeochemistry Research Department
Soil Physics and Chemistry Research Department
Soil Fertility and Microbiology Research Department
Soil and Water Conservation Research Department
The goal of this division Is to support agriculturaI develpment in desert and
newly reclaimed lands in the fields of groundwater resources and soil
evaluation. It Is responsible for conducting research and studies related to the
development of desert regions through exploitation of Water and soil resources
in different desert areas of Egypt using geological, geomorphological,
hydrological and geophysical tools.
Drilling and testing of water wells are also done. Evaluation of groundwater
resources in promising areas is accomplished using computer simulation models.
Surface water harvesting is also among the major study interests of the
divjsion. Careful exploitation of soil resources is accomplished through
studies on pedological, physical, chemical, mineralogical and biological aspects
as well as soil-water-plant relationships.
studies to determine ap- propriate irrigation, management, conservation, and
fertilization practices of desert lands. Environmental contamination of soil and
water in desert areas is also considered. This division is comprised of nine
research departments and 35 associated research units.
This department carries out:
1) lab work on aerial photography, satellite, and topographic maps for the
purpose of delineatrng geomorphic units
2) mechanical, chemical, and mineralogical analyses of rock and loose sediment
and descriptions of well samples.
3) surveying of desert areas
4) supervision of drilling, studying of reservoir samples, and construction of
subsurface geologic and hydrogeological cross sections.
5) analyses of rock and water samples and evaluation of reservoir volume
Research Units
Gemorphology & Aerial
Photo Interpretation
Field
Geology
Sedimentology
Geology Of Groundwater Aquifers
Drilling
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Geophysical Exploration Department
This department carries
out:
1) geoelectrical surveys to define water-bearing formations and to locate
promising sites for new wells
2) seismic and well-log studies including the determination of aquatic
properties
3) studies of the magnetic properties of marker beds, especially where basaltic
sheets cap water-bearing formations
4) studies of the great basins to define aquatic properties using gravita-
tional methods which depend on the difference between the densities of basement
rocks.
Research Units
Electrical Prospecting
Induced Electrical Plarization
well-logging
Magnetic Prospecting
Gravity
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Renewable Energy Research Department
This department conducts studies on:
1 ) the direct use of solar energy to heat or desalinize water
2) the use of termal energy
3) obtaining energy from wind mills
4) the use of tidal energy.
Research Units
Solar Energy Application
Wind Energy Application
Geothermal
Tidel Energy Application
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This department focuses on:
1)exploration of groundwater aquifers
2) determination and evaluation of the hydrologic parameters of aquifers
3) evaluation of groundwater potential through the use of mathematical models
4) developing policies for groundwater basins
5) study and evaluation of water quality to determine the origins of water min-
eralization
6) study and evaluation of surface hydrological factors (precipitation,
evaporation, infiltration and runoff) to improve water resource management.
Research Units
Field Hydrology
Hydraulic Modeling
Surface Hydrology
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Hydrogeochemistry Research Department
The department deals with:
1) determination of the constituents present in naturally occurring water
2) evaluation of water rock interaction
3) monitoring of water quality changes, deterioration and groundwater pollution
4) exploration and evaluation of new aquifers in the Egyptian deserts.
Research Units
Water Pollution
Minor Elements & Radio Isotopes
Water Chemistry
Desalination
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The focus of the department is on:
1) soil mapping, classification, and evaluation using aerial photo
interpretation and cadastral maps
2) morphology and micromorphology of desert soils
3) desertification monitoring and control
4) small origin, genesis, formation and development
5) soil formation processes and their bearing on soil properties
6) agricultural limitations of desert soils
7) setting priorities and land-use planning for desert soils in the agricultural
expansion program.
Research Units
Soil Survey & Aerial photo Interpretation
Land Use & Evaluation
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Soil Physics and Chemistry Research Department
This department undertakes studies
on the chemical, physio-chemical and physical properties of soils, including:
1)the conditions, reactions, and rates of soil formation and development
processes
2) the behavior and transformation of organic and inorganic soil constituents
3) heavy metals and their impact on environmental poIluton
4) the mineralogical composition of soil particles and its relationship to
surface chemical reactions and the fertilization scheme
5) soil water plant relationships, crop water requirements, and efficient use of
limited water.
Research Units
Soil Chemistry
Mineralogy
Soil Physics
Crop Water Requirments
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Soil Fertility and Microbiology Research Department
The department conducts studies on:
1) the evaluation of soil fertility and prediction of fertilizer requirements of
diferent crops for various desert soils
2) appropriate methods of fertilizer application using the fertigation technique
3) biological control of fungal and bacterial diseases
4) biological treatment of sewage sludge for desert soil irrigation
5) biological treatment of organic residues for reclaiming new lands
6) biological water analyses for drinking and irrigation use
7) application of biofertitizers to improve crop production and minimize mineral
fertilization
8) evaluation of fertilizer efficiency and nutrient balance and their
relationship to crop production and environmental pollution.
Research Units
Soil Fertility and Fertilization
Plant Nutrition
Microbiology
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Soil and Water Conservation Research Department
The department carries out studies
on:
1) management of soil resources using saline water irrigation
2) Utilization of agricultural machinery under desert conditions
3) management of rain-fed agriculture and irrigated agriculture under desert
conditions
4) soil erosion and its control
5) factors affecting soil degradation and their control
6) determination of limiting factors affecting desert soils productivity
7) use of natural and synthetic soil conditioners for reclaiming desert lands
8) halophyte cultivation to combat mobile sands and ameliorate sandy soils, and
9) irrigation and drainage management under desert conditions
Research Units
Soil Erosion
Irrigation & Drainage
Dikes & Water Distribution
Agriculitural Machanization
Soil Conditioners & Their Economics
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