Environmental Geological Studies on Bicess Island Area, Northwest Libya | ||||
| Scientific Journal for Damietta Faculty of Science | ||||
| Volume 5, Issue 2, December 2015, Page 32-39 PDF (715.91 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original articles | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/sjdfs.2015.194482 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Authors | ||||
Mohamed Abdelgalil  1; Ismail F. Shushan2
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| 1Damietta University, Faculty of Science, Environmental Sciences Department, Egypt | ||||
| 2Al-Mergheb University, Faculty of Science at Alkhoms, Earth Sciences and Environment Dept., Libya. | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Due to the few number of islands encountered in the States of the continent of Africa bordering the Mediterranean Sea, Bicess Island may be considered as one of the most important geological features in Libya. The study represents an attempt to identify the threatening of wild birds on Bicess Island through the studying of the various geomorphologic and structural features as well as the stratigraphic sequence. Bicess Island is located west of the Alkhoms City at the mouth of Wadi Bicess which marks the junction of the Nafusa Mountain base with Mediterranean coast. The genesis of Bicess Island is mostly due to the breaking down caused by wave action with the help of the structural effects in the region. The length of the island reaches 240 m, while the width is varying between 40 m and 160 m. The depth of water at the southern part of Bicess Island reaches about 4 m and varies between 7 m and 12 m at the northwestern part and the northeastern part respectively. Bicess Island posses a rocky beach occupied by algae and characterized by highly steeped and irregular cliffs as well as coasts associated with bays and peaks. The presence of dense plant cover on Bicess Island as well as its separation of being surrounded by sea water caused the human activities to be very limited and the occupation of the island by a great number of wild birds build their nests within the holes existing in rocks belonging to Alkhoms Formation. Caves were found at the base of cliffs. The shape of the caves appears as long cylinders extend along zones of weakness with radius become less to the interior of the rocks. On the roof of the caves there were a lot of joints which became wider forming explosive holes. Land destructions by waves and landslides are the most important factors threatening wild bird lives. In order to protect wild bird populations as well as the unique morphological and geological features, the present study recommends Bicess Island to become a natural reserve. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Libya; Bicess Island; Caves, Bird life; natural reserve | ||||
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