Temporal Relief Deformation of the Western Inner Continental Shelf off the Nile Delta, Egypt

Twenty three bathymetrie profiles up to a depth of 28 m were surveyed along and across the western inner shelf off the Nile delta. These surveys were conducted during 1919/22, 1976/77 and 1986. Comparison of these profiles establish that there are significant delta-wide changes in the patterns of erosion and accretion that correspond to sediment movement resulting from the prevailing dynamic factors affecting this area. Maximum bottom erosion (negative relief deformation) was detected along Abu Quir bay, on the tip of the Rosetta promontory, along both sides of the Rosetta mouth, and along the BurullusBaltim coast. In contrast, there has been maximum bottom accretion (positive relief deformation) at Abu Quir cape and at Abu Khashaba. The sources of the accreted sediment probably come from areas of beach erosion as well as from offshore due to the combined effect of the offshore-onshore exchange.