Effect of Wind Generated Waves on the Beach Configuration and Heavy Minerals Distribution Around Rosetta Promontory, Egypt

Rosetta promontory encompasses both the east and west sides of the Rosetta River mouth branch. Since the building of the High Dam in 1964, the Rosetta promontory has been subjected to dramatic erosion. Two concrete seawalls have been constructed on the shoreline to protect the river mouth at Rosetta promontory from the prolonged sea invasion. Moreover, four groins were constructed to minimize the shore erosion and stabilize the eastern margin of the promontory. Also, many groins were constructed to stabilize its western side but they were destroyed. The present study deals with the effect of wind generated waves on the beach configuration. It also determines the equilibrium orientations of the shoreline and the effective protective constructions. Monthly wind generated waves along Rosetta area are determined and graphically presented. The sea state, the wave parameters, the resultant equilibrium orientation of Rosetta promontory beaches are determined. The suitable months for constructing the recommended protective constructions along Rosetta promontory are nominated. Moreover, the distribution of the beach face sediments, their grain size and their heavy minerals content around Rosetta promontory are thoroughly studied. Finally, recommendations for the protection of Rosetta promontory are given.