Geo-environmental assessment of the Suez Canal area, using remote sensing and GIS techniques

This research provides useful information for understanding the impacts of waterlogging on land surface temperature in the Ismailia-Bitter Lakes area. Digital Elevation Model extracted from the SRTM data shows that the waterlogged areas are distributed at low topographic localities. Five land use categories were identified, including surface water, sand cover, limestone, salt crust and Nile deposits & cultivated areas. Surface water areas were outlined and measured using geographic information system during 1987-2012; its surface areas increase from 56 km² in year 1987 to 150 km² in year 2012 with a rate of 3.8 km²/year. At the same time, urban heat island shows decrease from very high temperature in year 1987 to moderate temperature in year 2012.