الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The study area is limited by latitudes 30o and 31oN and longitudes 29o 50? and 31oE, with an area of about 3255km2 (775020 feddan). It is considered a promising region to create new communities. The accessibility of the area, its low relief and availability of water and soil resources made it easy to establish new settlements, land reclamation projects and other developmental projects. The present work aims to understand and evaluate the water and soil resources in the study area in order to put a new strategy for proper utilization, management and conservation, and to minimize the environmental side effects on such resources. Seven chapters (introduction, geomorphology, geology, hydrogeology, hydrogeochemical aspects, evaluation of natural resources for sustainable development, and environmental implications and improvements of human activities) in addition to summary and conclusions and references and Arabic summary, were planned to fulfill the chief objectives of this study.? The study area is facing critical problems of environmental degradation. This is achieved by discussing the topics; irrigation and drainage systems efficiencies and their effects, the effect of irrigation return flows on the environment, groundwater levels fluctuation, surface water and groundwater contamination, and water quality variations of aquifer systems. Also, implications and improvements of quarrying activities, especially through hydrogeological effects were discussed. To protect groundwater and to minimize the effect of irrigation return flow in the study area, it is necessary to control the groundwater extraction by exchanging the flood irrigation with the more developed drip and sprinkle irrigation methods. These reduce percolation to aquifers, consequently water table rising, waterlogging and salinization problems can be avoided proportionately. Also, regional and specific management programs are suggested around the main objectives related to environmental quality and regional economic sustainable development. Government, local Gavornorates, Interesting Universities and Research Institutes, local Districts, Farmers, and Landowners all must participate to identify, analyze, plan, and evaluate water and soil resources and to apply the concluded strategy.