Geochemistry of island arc assemblage in the Eastern Desert of Egypt and the role of Pan-African magmatism in crustal growth of the Arabian–Nubian Shield:A review

Neoproterozoic island arc assemblage of the Arabian–Nubian Shield(ANS)in the Eastern Desert(ED)of Egypt comprises juvenile suites of metavolcanics(MV),large amounts of meta-sedimentary rocks(MS),and voluminous metagabbros-diorites(MGD)and syn-tectonic intrusions of older granitoids(OG).We report here the updates of these four rock units in terms of classification,distribution,chemical characteristics,geodynamic evolution,metamorphism,and ages.In addition,we discuss these integrated data to elucidate a reasonable and reliable model for crustal evolution in the ANS.The main features of these rock units indicate their relation to each other and the geodynamic environment dominated by early immature oceanic island arcs to primitive continental arcs.Integrated information of the island arc metavolcanic and plutonic rocks(gabbros,diorites,tonalites,and granodiorites)furnish evidence of the genetic relationships.These include proximity and a coeval nature in the field;all protolith magmas are subalkaline in nature following calc-alkaline series with minor tholeiitic affinities;common geochemical signature of the arc rocks and subduction-related magmatism;their similar enrichment in LREEs;and similar major element compositions with mafic melts derived from metasomatized mantle wedge.The volcano-sedimentary and the OG rocks underwent multiphase deformation events whereas the MGD complexes deformed slightly.Based on the magmatic,sedimentological,and metamorphic evolutions constrained by geochronological data as well as the progressive evolutionary trend from extensional to compressional regimes,a possible gradual decrease in the subducted slab dip angle is the most infl uential in any geodynamic model for arc assemblage in the ED of Egypt.

Egypt Shows World How to Tackle Hepatitis C

In October 2023,Egypt received recognition for a feat that cheered public health experts around the world:It became the first country awarded the World Health Organization(WHO)“Gold Tier”certification for its progress in eliminating viral hepatitis caused by the hepatitis C virus(HCV)[1].It is also the first time in history that a country has nearly eliminated a chronic illness caused by a virus.While that achievement itself is remarkable,especially impressive is the speed with which Egypt accomplished this public health triumph.In just 14 years,from 2008 to 2022,Egypt’s prevalence of HCV viral hepatitis fell from 10%to 0.38%[1],and deaths due to the disease dropped by 51%[2].Modeling suggests the country’s aggressive elimination program,which has tested more than 60 million people and treated more than 4 million[1],will have prevented almost 250000 HCV-related deaths by 2030[3].

Mapping Structurally Controlled Alterations Sparked by Hydrothermal Activity in the Fatira–Abu Zawal Area,Eastern Desert,Egypt

The Eastern Desert of Egypt suffered a protracted period of deformation triggered by cratonization of the new juvenile crust known as the Arabian Nubian Shield(ANS),which has been proposed for potential gold discoveries associated with the corresponding tectonic event.The Fatira area,on the border of Egypt’s Northern and Central Eastern Deserts,is covered with metavolcanic rocks twisted by a dextral relocation of the Fatira Shear Zone(FSZ)relative to the Barud magmatic body.The recent study evaluated many deformed post-orogenic granitic intrusions and felsite dikes associated with promising mineralization localities,notably orogenic gold deposits.The combination of various field observations and remote sensing data,followed by the analysis of aeromagnetic enhanced maps,allowed the differentiation of distinct lithologies,structural features,and hydrothermal alterations in the study area.Additionally,the integrated results obtained from the different interpretation techniques are utilized to identify and confirm the previously supposed mineralized localities in the Fatira and Abu Zawal areas and predict other matched localities.The final ASTER,Sentinel 2 hydrothermal alteration,and orientation entropy heat maps demonstrate the association between these mineralized regions and major structures related to the FSZ late stage of deformation rather than other structures studied throughout the area of interest.

GIS-based flash flooding susceptibility analysis and water management in arid mountain ranges:Safaga Region,Red Sea Mountains,Egypt

The Safaga Region(SR)is part of the Red Sea mountain range in Egypt.Catastrophic flash flooding is now an inescapable event,wreaking havoc and causing massive loss of life and property.The majority of the floodwater,however,has been wasted as runoff to the Red Sea,which,if used wisely,could meet a fraction of the water demands for a variety of applications in this area.The current work aims to use GIS techniques to integrate remote sensing data for evaluating,mitigating,and managing flash floods in SR.The data set comprised Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission(TRMM)thematic rainfall data,1:50,000 scale topographical map sheets,geological maps,the ASTER Digital Elevation Model(ASTER GDEM),Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper"(ETM7+),and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager.The flash flood risk model of SR is developed using ArcGIS-10.3 geoprocessing tools integrating all the causal factors thematic maps.The final flood risk model for the SR suggests that 57%of the total basins in the SR are at high risk of flooding.Almost 38%of all basins are at moderate flood risk.The remaining 5%of basins are less prone to flooding.Flood-prone zones were identified,suitable dam-building sites were located,and extremely probable areas for water recharge were recognized.On the basis of reliable scientific data,structural and non-structural mitigation strategies that might reduce the damage susceptibility,alleviate the sensitivity of the flash flood,and best utilize its water supply were recommended.

China-Egypt Tourism Cooperation Continuing to Forge Ahead

With the joint efforts of the two sides,the tourism cooperation between the two countries will achieve greater development,the tourist requirements accumulated in the past three years will be fully released,and the number of Chinese tourists and flights to Egypt will get recovery or even exceed the pre-pandemic level.

Urological and genital surgery in ancient Egypt

Background:Ancient Egypt might be considered the cradle of medicine.The modern literature is somewhat too enthusiastic regarding the procedures given an Egyptian origin.The aim of the current paper is to briefly analyze the claims regarding urological and genital surgery in Egypt,in order to decide what the Egyptian actually do,and what has incorrectly been ascribed to them.Methods:The original sources as well as the modern literature was reviewed regarding surgery in ancient Egypt.Results:There is only one source indicating a urological procedure for medical indications in the Egyptian material.The Ebers papyrus can be interpreted as describing a surgical treatment for hydrocele.The sources are more abundant regarding male circumcision,while female circumcision is mainly documented from a later period.The suggestions that castration and lithotomy were performed are based on a lack of understanding of the sources.Conclusion:The ancient Egyptians did possibly treat hydrocele with a minor surgical procedure,but there are no indications in the sources that other urological procedures were performed.Circumcisions were common,but were not performed on a medical indication.These findings are in line with the general level of Egyptian surgery.

Methods and management in ancient Egyptian and Greek medicine

Objective:Demonstrate that some ancient Egyptian medical treatments are still used today while Greeks appropriated many concepts that have partially disappeared.Methods:Through the study of classical authors,Egyptian papyri,ancient medical sources and historical and recent research,this article examines some neglected aspects in the traditional picture of ancient Egyptian medicine,now considered the cradle of scientific inquiry.Results:A framework of important health conditions must be highlighted in Egypt:accurate diagnosis similar to the present,training of highly skilled specialists,a health care system,greatly advanced for its time,although including magical practices and spells,because all types of healers coexisted peacefully.Hippocratic medicine also adopted Egyptian incubation,the same scientific and rational systems in patient therapy and older Egyptian ideas and remedies.The brilliant Egyptian hypothesis about gastrointestinal residuals or wxdw,a methodical approach to interpreting internal diseases,opened the road to a coherent and scientific therapy.Based on the Egyptian idea of self-intoxication through dangerous materials and of pathogenic decay that survives in the modern use of the Greek word sepsis,different Greek medical schools have been influenced and are even well developed in modern times.When they realized that putrefaction began in the intestine,they applied mummification and embalming for corpses and employed emetics,purges and enemas in patients.Greeks,by contrast,to avoid contamination,adopted dead cremation and their false humoral theory remained until the 17th century AC,as well as the false benign pus.Conclusions:Egyptian physicians,still ignoring the concept of infection or inflammation,clearly recognized local purulence and identified the presence and growth of pathogenic agents in infections.Thus,they were pioneers in solving pyogenic lesion debridement and diagnose the feverish profile of a noxious laceration,starting the prevention and control of infection used today.

International School of Egyptology of Adolf Erman

The world admired Ancient Egypt since its conquest by the Roman Empire, For Europe, it was a dreamlike country full of wonders and magic, only in the beginning of the nineteenth century, the romantic interest gave way to serious scientific research. The founders of Egyptology widely known, hut the name of one of them, the German Egyptologist Adolf Erman, is rarely found in modern monographs of Western researches, dedicated to the history of Egypt. At the same time in Russia, where researches in the field of Egyptology have been started only in the late nineteenth century, a special attention was paid to Erman＇s works. The objective of this work was to evaluate the significant contribution of A. Erman to the development of the world and in particular Russian Egyptology. Analysis of Erman＇s, his disciples＇ and followers＇ works showed that he was the founder of the Berlin school of Egyptology which has brought up such famous Egyptologists as L. Borchardt, K. Zeta, H. Muller, G. Roeder, H. Schaefer, G. Shteindorf, and others. His influence went far beyond Germany： Among his students, there were researchers from England, the United States of America, and italy. Erman left a remarkable imprint on Russian Egyptology. B. Turayev and V. Struve were taught by Erman, then they became followers of this science at home; some of their students undertook an internship at Erman＇s school as well. After returning home the Russian researchers created works on the history and culture of ancient Egypt, lecturedon Egyptology in universities. As a result, Russian schools of Egyptology were founded by B. Turayev and V. Struve, the members of which proceeded to work on the history of Egypt and Ancient Orient, transferring their knowledge to the next generation.

Serpentinized Peridotites at the North Part of the Wadi Allaqi District(Egypt): Implications for the Tectono-Magmatic Evolution of Fore-arc Crust

The Neoproterozoic Allaqi-Heiani suture （800-700 Ma） in the south Eastern Desert of Egypt is the northernmost linear ophiolitic belt that defines an arc-arc suture in the Arabian- Nubian shield （ANS）. The Neoproterozoic serpentinized peridotites represent a distinct lithology of dismembered ophiolites along the Allaqi-Heiani suture zone. The alteration of peridotites varies, some contain relicts of primary minerals （Cr-spinel and olivine） and others are extremely altered, especially along thrusts and shear zones, with development of talc, talc-carbonate and quartz-carbonate. The fresh cores of the chromian spinels are rimmed by ferritchromite and Cr- magnetite. The fresh chromian spinels have high Cr# （0.62 to 0.79）, while Mg# shows wider variation （0.35-0.59）. High Cr# in the relict chromian spinels and Fo content in the primary olivines indicate that they are residual peridotites after extensive partial melting. The studied ophiolitic upper mantle peridotites are highly depleted and most probably underwent high degrees of partial melting at a supra-subduction zone setting. They can be produced by up to -20%-22% dynamic melting of a primitive mantle source. The mineralogical and geochemical features of the studied rocks reflect that the mantle peridotites of the north part of the Wadi Allaqi district are similar to the fore-arc peridotites of a supra-subduction zone.

Impact of wastewater reuse on cobalt status in Egyptian environment

Cobalt is used in the manufacture of alloys, catalysts in the petroleum industry, catalytic converters, and paint pigments. Thus the potential for Co releases into the environment is highly increased. Use of waste sludges and sewage effluent to fertilize and irrigate soils has also increased soil Co concentrations. Total cobalt contents of alluvial delta soil of Egypt show considerable variation ranging from 13.1 to 64.7 ppm. The impact of either wastewater irrigation or industrial activities on soil total Co was obvious due to accumulation of organic matter and solid waste in the surface soil samples. Food crops and vegetables should not be grown on soil highly contaminated by Co. It is noteworthy that the delayed neutron activation analysis(DNAA) technique could be used successfully for total Co determination due to its high sensitivity. It is quit clearly that dust samples of Cairo City contains higher Co level, as compared to Suez Canal Region(Ismailia, Port Said and El-Suez cities). The high values in Cairo City may be due to the existence of industries around the city and the intensive traffic. To minimize Co environmental hazards, waste effluents should be treated on site. Thus, levels of potentially toxic Co needs to be continuously monitored and should be removed during several treatment processes before the disposal of these wastes.

Geochemistry of an Alaskan-type mafic-ultramafic complex in Eastern Desert, Egypt:New insights and constraints on the Neoproterozoic island arc magmatism

Mikbi intrusion(MI) is a part of the Neoproterozoic Nubian Shield located along the NE-SW trending major fracture zones prevailing southern Eastern Desert of Egypt. In this study, we present for the first time detailed mineralogical and bulk-rock geochemical data to infer some constraints on the parental magma genesis and to understand the tectonic processes contributed to MI formation. Lithologically, it is composed of fresh peridotite, clinopyroxenite, hornblendite, anorthosite, gabbronorite, pyroxene amphibole gabbro, amphibole gabbro and diorite. All rocks have low Th/La ratios(mostly <0.2) and lack positive Zr and Th anomalies excluding significant crustal contamination. They show very low concentrations of Nb, Ta, Zr and Hf together with sub-chondritic ratios of Nb/Ta(2-15) and Zr/Hf(19-35),suggesting that their mantle source was depleted by earlier melting extraction event. The oxygen fugacity(logfO_2) estimated from diorite biotite is around the nickel-nickel oxide buffer(NNO) indicating crystallization from a relatively oxidized magma. Amphiboles in the studied mafic-ultramafic rocks indicate relative oxygen fugacity(i.e. ΔNNO; nickel-nickel oxide) of 0.28-3 and were in equilibrium mostly with 3.77-8.24 wt.% H_2 O_(melt)(i.e. water content in the melt), consistent with the typical values of subduction-related magmas. Moreover, pressure estimates(0.53-6.79 kbar) indicate polybaric crystallization and suggest that the magma chamber(s) was located at relatively shallow crustal levels. The enrichment in LILE(e.g., Cs, Ba, K and Sr) and the depletion in HFSE(e.g., Th and Nb) relative to primitive mantle are consistent with island arc signature. The olivine, pyroxene and amphibole compositions also reflect arc affinity. These inferences suggest that their primary magma was derived from partial melting of a mantle source that formerly metasomatized in a subduction zone setting. Clinopyroxene and bulkrock data are consistent with orogenic tholeiitic affinity. Consequently, the mineral and bulk-rock chemistry strongly indicate crystallization from hydrous tholeiitic magma. Moreover, their trace element patterns are subparallel indicating that the various rock types possibly result from differentiation of the same primary magma. These petrological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics show that the MI is a typical Alaskan-type complex.

Sequence Stratigraphy and Rudist Facies Development of the Upper Barremian-Lower Cenomanian Platform, Northern Sinai, Egypt

The Lower Cretaceous sections in northern Sinai are composed of the Risan Aneiza （upper Barremian-middle Albian） and the Halal （middle Albian-lower Cenomanian） formations. The facies reflect subtle paleobathymetry from inner to outer ramp facies. The inner ramp facies are peritidal, protected to open marine lagoons, shoals and rudist biostrome facies. The inner ramp facies grade northward into outer ramp deposits. The upper Barremian-lower Cenomanian succession is subdivided into nine depositional sequences correlated with those recognized in the neighbouring Tethyan areas. These sequences are subdivided into 19 medium-scale sequences based on the facies evolution, the recorded hardgrounds and flooding surfaces, interpreted as the result of eustatic sea level changes and local tectonic activities of the early Syrian Arc rifting stage. Each sequence contains a lower retrogradational parasequence set that constituted the transgressive systems tracts and an upper progradational parasequence set that formed the highstand systems tracts. Nine rudist levels are recorded in the upper Barremian through lower Cenomanian succession at Gabal Raghawi. At Gabal Yelleg two rudist levels are found in the Albian. The rudist levels are associated with the highstand systems tract deposits because of the suitability of the trophic conditions in the rudist-dominated ramp.

Occult hepatitis B virus infection in Egypt

The emerging evidence of the potentially clinical importance of occult hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection(OBI) increases the interest in this topic. OBI may impact in several clinical contexts, which include the possible transmission of the infection, the contribution to liver disease progression, the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, and the risk of reactivation. There are several articles that have published on OBI in Egyptian populations. A review of MEDLINE database was undertaken for relevant articles to clarify the epidemiology of OBI in Egypt. HBV genotype D is the only detectable genotype among Egyptian OBI patients. Higher rates of OBI reported among Egyptian chronic HCV, hemodialysis, children with malignant disorders, and cryptogenic liver disease patients. There is an evidence of OBI reactivation after treatment with chemotherapy. The available data suggested that screening for OBI must be a routine practice in these groups of patients. Further studies needed for better understand of the epidemiology of OBI among Egyptian young generations after the era of hepatitis B vaccination.

Prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic hepatitis C virus infection in Egyptian children

AIM: To identify the prevalence, risk factors and manifestations of asymptomatic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Egyptian children. METHODS: Children at the age of 1-9 years were screened for HCV antibodies and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Every child with elevated ALT and/or detectable HCV antibodies was tested for HCV RNA by RT-PCR and compared with two negative controls for risk factors and signs and symptoms of liver disease.RESULTS: We screened 1042 children, six of them had elevated ALT, negative HCV antibody and positive RNA, likely representing acute hepatitis C cases. Fifteen children were HCV seropositive, 5 of them were HCV RNA positive. Asymptomatic HCV infection was present in 2.02% (positive results for either HCV antibodies or HCV-RNA or both). Symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, history of fatigue and school absence because of illness and risk factors such as dental care were significantly more common among HCV positive cases than among controls. None of the HCV positive children was diagnosed as having signs of advanced liver disease upon clinical or ultrasonographic examination. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic HCV infection is detectable in 2.02% Egyptian children.

Transpressive Structures in the Ghadir Shear Belt, Eastern Desert, Egypt: Evidence for Partitioning of Oblique Convergence in the Arabian-Nubian Shield during Gondwana Agglutination

Transpressional deformation has played an important role in the late Neoproterozoic evolution of the ArabianNubian Shield including the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt.The Ghadir Shear Belt is a 35 km-long,NW-oriented brittleductile shear zone that underwent overall sinistral transpression during the Late Neoproterozoic.Within this shear belt,strain is highly partitioned into shortening,oblique,extensional and strike-slip structures at multiple scales.Moreover,strain partitioning is heterogeneous along-strike giving rise to three distinct structural domains.In the East Ghadir and Ambaut shear belts,the strain is pure-shear dominated whereas the narrow sectors parallel to the shear walls in the West Ghadir Shear Zone are simple-shear dominated.These domains are comparable to splay-dominated and thrust-dominated strike-slip shear zones.The kinematic transition along the Ghadir shear belt is consistent with separate strike-slip and thrustsense shear zones.The earlier fabric(S1),is locally recognized in low strain areas and SW-ward thrusts.S2 is associated with a shallowly plunging stretching lineation(L2),and defines^NW-SE major upright macroscopic folds in the East Ghadir shear belt.F2 folds are superimposed by^NNW–SSE tight-minor and major F3 folds that are kinematically compatible with sinistral transpressional deformation along the West Ghadir Shear Zone and may represent strain partitioning during deformation.F2 and F3 folds are superimposed by ENE–WSW gentle F4 folds in the Ambaut shear belt.The sub-parallelism of F3 and F4 fold axes with the shear zones may have resulted from strain partitioning associated with simple shear deformation along narrow mylonite zones and pure shear-dominant deformation in fold zones.Dextral ENEstriking shear zones were subsequently active at ca.595 Ma,coeval with sinistral shearing along NW-to NNW-striking shear zones.The occurrence of upright folds and folds with vertical axes suggests that transpression plays a significant role in the tectonic evolution of the Ghadir shear belt.Oblique convergence may have been provoked by the buckling of the Hafafit gneiss-cored domes and relative rotations between its segments.Upright folds,fold with vertical axes and sinistral strike-slip shear zones developed in response to strain partitioning.The West Ghadir Shear Zone contains thrusts and strikeslip shear zones that resulted from lateral escape tectonics associated with lateral imbrication and transpression in response to oblique squeezing of the Arabian-Nubian Shield during agglutination of East and West Gondwana.

Clinical outcomes of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy versus femtosecond laser assisted keratomileusis for correction of high myopia in South Egyptian population

AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy(t-PRK) with adjuvant mitomycin C(MMC) versus femtosecond laser assisted keratomileusis(Femto-LASIK) in correction of high myopia.METHODS: Prospective randomized comparative study including 156 eyes of 156 patients with high myopia and a spherical equivalent refraction(SER) <-6.00 D. They were divided randomly into two groups: Group A included 72 eyes treated with t-PRK with adjuvant MMC and Group B included 84 eyes treated with Femto-LASIK. Visual acuity, SER, corneal topography, pachymetry and keratometry were assessed for 12 mo postoperatively.RESULTS: The preoperative mean SER was-8.86±1.81 and-9.25±1.70 D in t-PRK MMC group and Femto-LASIK respectively(P=0.99) which improved to-0.65±0.43 D and-0.69±0.50 D at 12 mo follow up. Mean SER remained stable during the 12 mo of follow-up, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P=0.64). In t-PRK MMC group, only six eyes needed retreatment after six months of follow up. And two eyes showed haze(one reversible haze grade 2, while the other had dense irreversible haze grade 4).CONCLUSION: t-PRK MMC provides safe and satisfactory visual outcomes and acceptable risk as Femto-LASIK in patients with high myopia.

Difference between papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma outcomes:an experience from Egyptian institution

Objective： Differentiated thyroid carcinomas （DTCs） are classified into papillary thyroid carcinoma （PTC） and follicular thyroid carcinoma （FTC）. DTCs are analyzed as a single group in clinical studies that investigated the prognostic factors and prognosis of these malignancies. However, the biological behaviors of these carcinomas significantly differ. In the present study, we aimed to detect differences in the outcomes between PTC and FTC in Mansoura University Hospital in Egypt. Methods： A total of SS8 patients with histologically proven thyroid carcinomas from January 2003 to December 2012 were retrospectively enrolled. The clinical and pathological data of patients were reviewed. Results： Large primary tumor size, lymph node involvement, extrathyroid extension, and distant metastasis were significant poor prognostic factors for overall survival （OS） in old PTC patients. Cox hazard analysis showed that the patient＇s age, extra thyroid extension, and distant metastasis were the only independent prognostic factors. In FTC patients, only the distant metastasis and degree of tumor invasion were significant poor prognostic factors in OS univariate analysis. However, these factors were nonsignificant in multivariate analysis. The 10-year OS rates were 97% and 89% for PTC and FTC, respectively （P=0.003）. The 10-year disease-free survival （DFS） rates were 77.2% in PTC vs. 65% in FTC （P=0.179）. Conclusion： The significant prognostic factors vary between the two types of DTCs. Therefore, PTC and FTC patients need to be analyzed and reported independently. PTC survival is widely and significantly affected by age, extrathyroid extension, and distant metastasis. By contrast, these factors were nonsignificant in FTC, which showed poorer survival than PTC.

Towards hepatitis C virus elimination:Egyptian experience,achievements and limitations

Worldwide, more than one million people die each year from hepatitis C virus(HCV) related diseases, and over 300 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B or C. Egypt used to be on the top of the countries with heavy HCV burden. Some countries are making advances in elimination of HCV, yet multiple factors preventing progress; remain for the majority. These factors include lack of global funding sources for treatment, late diagnosis, poor data, and inadequate screening. Treatment of HCV in Egypt has become one of the top national priorities since 2007. Egypt started a national treatment program intending to provide cure for Egyptian HCV-infected patients. Mass HCV treatment program had started using Pegylated interferon and ribavirin between 2007 and 2014. Yet, with the development of highly-effective direct acting antivirals(DAAs) for HCV, elimination of viral hepatitis has become a real possibility. The Egyptian National Committee for the Control of Viral Hepatitis did its best to provide Egyptian HCV patients with DAAs. Egypt adopted a strategy that represents a model of care that could help other countries with high HCV prevalence rate in their battle against HCV. This review covers the effects of HCV management in Egyptian real life settings and the outcome of different treatment protocols. Also, it deals with the current and future strategies for HCV prevention and screening as well as the challenges facing HCV elimination and the prospect of future eradication of HCV.

Prospects of effective microorganisms technology in wastes treatment in Egypt

Sludge dewatering and treatment may cost as much as the wastewater treatment.Usually large proportion of the pollutants in wastewater is organic.They are attacked by saprophytic microorganisms,i.e.organisms that feed upon dead organic matter.Activity of organisms causes decomposition of organic matter and destroys them,where the bacteria convert the organic matter or other constituents in the wastewater to new cells,water,gases and other products.Demolition activities,including renovation/remodeling works and complete or selective removal/demolishing of existing structures either by man-made processes or by natural disasters,create an extensive amount of wastes.These demolition wastes are characterized as heterogeneous mixtures of building materials that are usually contaminated with chemicals and dirt.In developing countries, it is estimated that demolition wastes comprise 20%to 30%of the total annual solid wastes.In Egypt,the daily quantity of construction and demolition(C&D) waste has been estimated as 10 000 tones.That is equivalent to one third of the total daily municipal solid wastes generated per day in Egypt.The zabbaliin have since expanded their activities and now take the waste they collect back to their garbage villages where it is sorted into recyclable components:paper,plastics, rags,glass,metal and food.The food waste is fed to pigs and the other items are sold to recycling centers.This paper summarizes the wastewater and solid wastes management in Egypt now and future.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of Nb-,Ta-,Sn-,U-,Th-,and Zr-bearing granitic rocks from Abu Rusheid shear zones,South Eastern Desert,Egypt

Granite-hosted,Nb-,Ta-,Sn-,U-,Th-,and Zr(Hf)-bearing mineralization from the Abu Rusheid shear zones occurs about 97 km southwest of the town of Marsa Alam,South Eastern Desert,Egypt.The SSE-trending brittle-ductile Abu Rusheid shear zones crosscut the peralkalic granitic gneisses and cataclastic to mylonitic rocks(mylonite,protomlyonite,and ultramylonite).The northern shear zone varies in width from 1 to 3 m with a strike length of >500 m,and the southern shear zone is 0.5 to 8 m wide and >1 km long.These shear zones locally host less altered lamprophyre and locally sheared granitic aplite-pegmatite dykes.The rare-metal minerals,identified from the peralkalic granitic gneisses and cataclastic to mylonitic rocks are associated with muscovite,chlorite,quartz,fluorite,pyrite,magnetite,and rare biotite that are restricted to the Abu Rusheid shear zones;these are columbite-tantalite and pyrochlore(var.betafite) in the northern shear zone and ferrocolumbite in the southern shear zone.Cassiterite occurs as inclusions in the columbite-tantalite minerals.U-and Th-minerals(uraninite,thorite,uranothorite,ishikawaite,and cheralite) and Hf-rich zircon coexist.Magmatic(?) zircon contains numerous inclusions of rutile,fluorite,U-Th and REE minerals,such as uranothorite,cheralite,monazite,and xenotime.Compositional variations in Ta/(Ta+Nb) and Mn/(Mn+Fe) in columbite range from 0.07-0.42 and 0.04-0.33,respectively,and Hf contents in zircon from 1.92-6.46 of the two mineralized shear zones reflect the extreme degree of magmatic fractionation.Four samples of peralkalic granitic gneisses and cataclastic to mylonitic rocks from the southern shear zone have very low TiO2(0.02 wt%-0.04 wt%),Sr [(15-20)×10-6],and Ba [(47-78)×10-6],with high Fe2O3T(0.94 wt%-1.99 wt%),CaO(0.14 wt%-1.16 wt%),alkalis(9.2 wt%-10.1 wt%),Rb [(369-805)×10-6],Zr [(1033-2261)×10-6],Nb [(371-913)×10-6],U [(51-108)×10-6],Th [(36-110)×10-6],Ta [(38-108)×10-6],Pb [(39-364)×10-6],Zn [(21-424)×10-6],Y [(8-304)×10-6],Hf [(29-157)×10-6],and ∑REE [(64-304)×10-6],especially HREE [(46-167)×10-6].Three samples from the northern shear zone also have very low TiO2(0.03 wt%),Sr [(11-16)×10-6],and Ba [(38-47)×10-6],with high Fe2O3T(1.97 wt%-2.91 wt%),CaO(0.49 wt%-1.01 wt%),alkalis(7.2 wt%-8.3 wt%),Rb [(932-978)×10-6],Zr [(1707-1953)×10-6],Nb [(853-981)×10-6],Ta [(100-112)×10-6],U [(120-752)×10-6],Th [(121-164)×10-6],Pb [(260-2198)×10-6],Zn [(483-1140)×10-6],Y [(8-304)×10-6],Hf [(67-106)×10-6],and ∑REE [(110-231)×10-6],especially HREE [(91-177)×10-6].The very high Rb/Sr(57.5-88.9),and low Zr/Hf(16.9-25.6),Nb/Ta(7.7-9.8),and Th/U(0.21-1.01) are consistent with very frac-tionated fluorine-bearing granitic rocks that were altered and sheared.The field evidence,textural relations,and compositions of the ore minerals suggest that the main mineralizing event was magmatic(629+/-5 Ma,CHIME monazite),with later hydrothermal alteration and local remobilization of the high-field-strength elements.