Groundwater is an essential resource in arid and semi-arid areas such as Upper Egypt, especially where surface water is limited or difficult to obtain. This study explores the hydrogeochemical properties, pollution levels, and related health risks of groundwater in the northern region of Assiut Governorate, Egypt. A total of thirty groundwater samples were systematically collected and analyzed through geochemical modeling, the Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI), and health risk assessment models. The findings showed that the groundwater samples had a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral, which aids the dissolution of carbonate minerals and increases the mobility of trace metals. Most of the water samples were categorized as hard to very hard, exhibiting high concentrations of calcium and magnesium in comparison to sodium and potassium. Bicarbonate levels were higher than those of chloride and sulfate, further supporting the notion that carbonate dissolution is the primary geochemical process, followed by ion exchange and evaporite dissolution. Four principal hydrochemical facies were identified—Ca-Mg-HCO₃, Ca-Mg-Cl, Na-HCO₃, and Na-Cl—reflecting diverse sources and interactions within the aquifer system. Human activities, including industrial and agricultural runoff, have significantly raised the levels of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), with 67% of the samples classed as severely polluted according to NPI standards. Health risk analyses indicated that Cd and Pb present significant non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic threats, particularly to infants and children, whose exposure levels surpassed US EPA guidelines. Furthermore, land use/land cover (LULC) assessments using Sentinel-2 imagery from 2000 to 2024 revealed considerable urban expansion over productive agricultural land, coupled with groundwater over-extraction and deteriorating water quality. The combination of hydrochemical analysis, multivariate statistics, remote sensing, and GIS emphasizes the urgent need for groundwater protection, pollution reduction, and regulation of land use to ensure public health and the sustainability of water resources in Upper Egypt. The quality of groundwater is at risk due to swift urban growth and the expansion of agriculture. The main geochemical process observed in groundwater samples is the dissolution of carbonates. Most groundwater samples contain cadmium and lead levels that surpass the limits set by the WHO. 67% of the water samples indicate significant contamination according to Nemerow’s Pollution Index. The study area presents the greatest health risks from cadmium and lead for infants and children. The diagrams created by Piper and Gibbs illustrate the prevailing geochemical processes. From 2000 to 2024, changes in land use indicate urban expansion over productive floodplain soils. Sustainable groundwater and land use planning is supported by remote sensing and GIS. Most water samples continue to be appropriate for irrigation, even in the presence of salinity risks. Proper measures are essential to guarantee that groundwater is safe for human consumption.

The southeastern Qattara Depression is a geomorphologically active region of Egypt’s Western Desert, where longitudinal dune fields intersect major development corridors, including the New Delta Project and petroleum concessions. This study presents the first integrated multi-temporal assessment of longitudinal dune morphodynamics over 35 years (1990–2025) using satellite imagery, digital elevation data, geological maps, and climatic records. Fifty-two dunes were analyzed using morphometric and kinematic indicators. Simple dunes dominate (78.85%), while complex forms account for 21.15%. Dune volumes range from 6.42 × 10⁶ to 4.98 × 10⁹ m³. Strong correlations between dune dimensions and volume (r = 0.73–0.89), indicate that lateral accretion as the primary growth mechanism. Dune activity has accelerated through increasing lateral migration, longitudinal growth, and vertical accretion driven by high-energy winds and prolonged drought. An Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) framework integrated the Sand Mobility Index, Normalized Difference Sand Index, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index to assess geomorphological hazard and land-use vulnerability. The resulting dune hazard, vulnerability, and sand-drift risk maps spatially classify risk. ROC–AUC validation showed excellent predictive performance (AUC ≈ 0.93). High and very high hazard zones cover 22.96% of the study area, revealing substantial threats to ongoing development.

Despite the numerous benefits of Punica granatum L., ready-to-eat pomegranate aril consumption remains limited due to rapid physiological deterioration
and microbiological spoilage during storage. This study evaluated the efficacy of natural edible coatings, Hibiscus extracts (3% and 6%), licorice root extracts
(3% and 6%), and gelatin solutions (5% and 10%) in preserving the postharvest quality of Manfalouty pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) arils harvested from
El Badary, Assiut Governorate, Egypt, during the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Physical quality attributes (weight loss, total soluble solids [TSS%], titratable acidity
[TA%], vitamin C, and anthocyanins) were assessed at 0, 7, 14, and 21 d. Microbiological analysis quantified bacterial and fungal counts (CFU/g) on nutrient
agar and Czapek's dextrose agar. Sensory properties (color, odor, taste, and texture) were rated on a 10-point hedonic scale by a 10-member panel. Results
demonstrated that higher concentrations of Hibiscus and licorice extracts significantly reduced weight loss, microbial loads, and sensory deterioration while
enhancing TSS, TA, vitamin C, and anthocyanin levels compared to controls, extending shelf life effectively. After 21 d of cold storage, Hibiscus 6% minimized
weight loss (2.93%–2.96%) vs control (3.89%–3.84%), TSS% (16.17%–16.23%) vs control (15.0%–14.9%), TA% (1.21%–1.16%) vs control (0.91%–1.07%),
vitamin C (22.87–23.53 mg/100 mL) vs control (19.92–20.53 mg/100 mL), and anthocyanins (53.30–53.46 mg/100 g FW) vs control (49.07–49.8 mg/100 g FW)
in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, respectively. Microbial counts were lowest with 6% Hibiscus extract (bacteria: 12–16 CFU/g; fungi: 5–5.67 CFU/g at 21 d vs
control 136–142.67 and 27–28.3 CFU/g) in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, respectively. The 6% Hibiscus extract limited the fungal species number from seven
species to Aspergillus niger and Penicillium expansum. Moreover, the control and gelatin showed the highest deterioration. These coatings, especially
Hibiscus, effectively extend shelf life by reducing physiological and microbial losses, supporting sustainable preservation.