Recent Eco-Archaeometric Studies of Salinization and Desalinization of Karnak Temples, Egypt

ABSTRACTEarlier studies demonstrated quantitatively that recent salinization of the Karnak Temples, Egypt, is due to evaporation of saline groundwaters under the temples. Furthermore, it was determined that the high salinity of groundwaters is due to extensive evaporotranspiration over the adjacent irrigated fields. To abate salinization, in 1986, a desalinization station was installed in the central part of Karnak at Lake Amun. Present studies indicate that by 1987, the desalinization effort was already very successful, with the salinity of the Lake being lowered by a factor of more than 37. Some residual salinity was still evident a year after desalinization stations were installed. It appears that this residual salinity is due primarily to leaching of salts which were deposited around the Lake before 1986. Thus, not only the Lake, but also the area adjacent to it appear to be desalinized as a result of construction of the desalinization station.