28
EDUCATION
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012
Researchers examine coastal erosions in Al Batinah
Existing facilities are to blame
about it. Satellite and aerial
images have also been used so
as to detect any major changes
in the coastlines, as well as
survey and regular assessment of the state of selected
sites of the coastline in order
to begin a monitoring system
and accurate measurement of
any changes that might occur.
The sand of the beaches has
been analysed to determine its
source, and the currents and
waves have been measured.
Findings
The researchers concluded
that the data available indicate
that the coasts of the region
are likely to remain in relative stability, without the human intervention. The average
rise in sea levels relative to the
land is compensated for by the
slow vertical lift of the coasts
of the Sultanate. The movement of tides occurs twice a
day, with a maximum range of
almost 3 metres.
The shoreline is hit by
medium-intensity
waves,
L
arge parts of the
sandy beaches are prone
to erosion due to rising
sea levels caused by global
warming and ice melting, as
well as by human intervention
and activities at coastlines.
The coastal strip in Al
Batinah region has seen rapid
developments over the past
four decades, including the
construction of major infrastructure such as the establishment of coastal tourist cities and harbours, large wave
breakers, roads, and dams
in the valleys. All this has
brought about the erosion of
beaches in some locations in
Al Batinah.
A research team, coming from different disciplines
The researchers concluded that
the data available indicate that the
coasts of the region are likely to
remain in relative stability, without the
human intervention. The average rise
in sea levels relative to the land is
compensated for by the slow vertical lift
of the coasts of the Sultanate
such as coastal geomorphology, environmental studies,
remote sensing, and engineering have embarked on a study
funded by His Majesty's Strategic Research grants. They
are examining the erosion in
some locations in the region, a
source of great concern for the
people there.
The team, headed by Dr
Salim Mubarak al Hatrushi
of the Department of Geography, SQU, has had as their
primary goal to assess the level of coastal erosion, using a
number of integrated studies,
and propose real solutions to
the problem.
Other secondary objectives
included evaluating the current situation of the coastal
erosion in the area using the
information at hand, identifying key locations where erosion exists and the factors that
led to it, monitoring coastal
A
new study is under
way to develop a
comprehensive
strategic
framework of the enablers
of
inter-organisational
knowledge sharing systems.
This strategic framework
enables Omani organisations
of common interest a seamless
exchange of information and
knowledge resources across
organisations.
Commenting on her work,
Dr Kamla al Busaidy, of the
College of Economics and
Political Science, SQU, says
inter-organisational sharing
systems are very valuable and
critical for effective development of knowledge-based
economy. In Oman, competition in the next century will be
based upon the industries that
depend on science and knowl-
general characteristic of the
coastline.
Analysis of the grains of
sand and sediment metals on
Al Batinah coast has shown
different sizes and types of
sands and metals, which are
traceable to various sources,
but mainly the Western Hajar
Mountains. Thus, the erosion
that has occurred in some locations of Al Batinah coast is
not due to sea level rise relative to the land, but it is a phenomenon that has accompanied the establishment of large
facilities at the coast line.
The study suggests that the
sandy beaches in Al Batinah
coast are generally stable, and
that the facilities on the coastline have had a limited impact
on the erosion in some locations and the accumulation of
sediments in other places during a limited period of time.
There seems to be no significant effect of the lack of sediment supplies from the wadis,
except in the mouth of the Al
Hawasnah Wadi.
Further modelling will lead
to the development of more
accurate assessment of the
balance of the beach sands.
The research team underlines that it is necessary to
constantly monitor the coastline and any changes that may
occur. As previously noted,
the local inhabitants rely heavily in their daily lives on the
sandy beaches, and generally,
they can get along with this
problem. It is also possible to
introduce in some locations
environment-friendly
solutions, such as pumping sand
accumulated behind the wave
breakers or behind the dams
feeding groundwater into the
affected beaches.
It is also important to establish a national authority
which would co-ordinate between all parties concerned
in terms of managing coastal
areas, disseminating information about the phenomenon,
and continued monitoring so
as to effectively sustain the
coastal areas.
areas using satellite and aerial
images, and producing a study
about the whole erosion process and possible solutions to
competent authorities. The intensity of ocean currents and
high waves in specific areas
was measured. A model of the
dynamics of the movement of
water and sedimentation was
suggested and the potentials
of using this model for future
projections were examined.
Investigating possible engineering solutions for the prevention of coastal erosion, the
team used numerical models.
This will lay the ground for
future studies.
Methodology
The researchers have applied a set of approaches to investigating this phenomenon.
These include a review of data
available on this issue and a
survey of the views of people
Inter-organisational knowledge
sharing systems: A new strategy
edge.
Organisations
engaged
in collaborative inter-organisational business processes
need to share information and
knowledge to increase their
knowledge bases, innovation
and competitiveness.
She remarks that interorganisational networks and
collaborations may incur costs
and risks to their organisations.
Some of these risks and barriers are lack of trust, difficulty
in fostering commitment, the
persistence of separate organisations in independence,
and different culture. To build
up stable and sustained interorganisational networks and
inter-organisational knowledge sharing system, these obstacles must be overcome, she
concludes.
hence the movement of sediments are moderate to strong.
It is evident that the currents
move the sediments along
the coast line. In the southern
part of the eastern coast line
the sediments are to the east,
while they are to the west in
the north western section.
The factors behind this
division are yet to be investigated. Having these sediments
together with huge facilities
along the coastline, erosion
emerges as a serious problem
in those areas. Sediments accumulate in other parts of the
coastline.
The study also concluded that the population rely
in their daily lives on these
shores. The aerial and satellite
photographs have revealed
that the sandy beaches of Al
Batinah coast were stable over
several decades. Accumulation and corrosion on both
sides of some facilities were
reported, for instance at the
mouth of the Al Hawasnah
Wadi. However, stability is a
Clinical and genetic aspects of glaucoma
A
Measuring arsenic
in well water
A
new research project is under way to examine
the levels of arsenic content in water in different
rural regions in the Sultanate.
Dr Jameel Naser, at the College of Engineering,
SQU, said the endeavour would include the collection of samples of drinking water from selected rural
Omani areas that primarily use water wells. They
will be analysed for the arsenic content according to
the new adopted Omani standard of arsenic in unbottled drinking water.
He pointed out that the results of his study could
be valuable for both the public and the water resources authorities.
Such results may help in exploring short and long
term solutions and planning to reduce or control arsenic levels in such areas.
Several research studies in the last three decades
have linked Arsenic contaminated drinking water to
adverse health effects.
Therefore, the US Environmental Protection
Agency adopted a new standard for arsenic in drinking water at 10 parts per billion (10 ppb) in 2001,
replacing the old standard of 50 ppb. Consequently,
the Sultanate of Oman adopted the new standard of
10 parts per billion (10 ppb) for un-bottled drinking
water as per Omani Standard No 8/2006.
new research work has
been launched to examine
glaucoma among Omani
families. Glaucoma is one of the
common causes of blindness.
It is clinically and genetically
a
heterogeneous
disease
characterised as a progressive
optic neurodegenerative and
mostly diagnosed by increased
intraocular pressure. However,
its risk factors and etiology
remain to be elucidated.
Dr Nadia al Kharousiya, of
the College of Medicine, SQU,
commenting on her work, said,
“Several genetic loci and mutations associated with glaucoma have been identified in
different populations. Twenty
families with glaucoma have
been encountered in the Ophthalmology Clinic at Sultan
Qaboos University Hospital”.
Her attempt is designed to clinically and genetically characterise familial cases in Oman.
It will involve a comprehensive clinical characterisation
and drawing family pedigrees.
Limited mapping of known
loci will initially be conducted
to screen for possible chromosomal locations. Identified
loci will be screened for muta-
tions if the gene or genes are
known. Once the known loci
are excluded, a genome wide
scan using SNPs analysis will
be performed. This will be
followed by identifying mutations in candidate genes, she
concluded.
Chief Executive Officer Dr Ibrahim bin Ahmed al Kindi. Editor-in-Chief FAHMi BIN KHALID AL HARTHY
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