Morphometry, migration rates, and environmental hazards of barchan dunes in the Kharga Depression, Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

Barchan dunes of the Kharga Depression, Western Desert, Egypt, have been assessed in terms of their morphometry, grain size, and migration rate using remote sensing and GIS techniques and field and laboratory work. Thirty-seven sites were chosen along the Kharga dune belt and subdivided into northern, central, and southern sectors. At each site, several barchans were subjected to morphometric measurements (length, width, height, length of eastern and western horns, and length of windward and leeward sides). The rate and direction of 160 barchans were also measured for the period between 2002 and 2018. Grain size analysis was carried out on sand samples taken from the crest of these dunes. Statistically, significant relationships have been found between the morphometric parameters, dune migration, and grain size attributes. The analysis of the morphology of the barchan dunes, their movement, and the nature of sedimentary materials provide essential information for assessing and evaluating their environmental hazards.