28EDUCATION SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

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Large 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 infra-structure such as the estab-lishment of coastal tourist cit-ies 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, com-ing from different disciplines

such as coastal geomorphol-ogy, environmental studies, remote sensing, and engineer-ing have embarked on a study funded by His Majesty's Stra-tegic 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 geog-raphy, SQU, has had as their primary goal to assess the lev-el of coastal erosion, using a number of integrated studies, and propose real solutions to the problem.

Other secondary objectives included evaluating the cur-rent situation of the coastal erosion in the area using the information at hand, identify-ing key locations where ero-sion exists and the factors that led to it, monitoring coastal

areas using satellite and aerial images, and producing a study about the whole erosion proc-ess and possible solutions to competent authorities. The in-tensity 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 engi-neering solutions for the pre-vention of coastal erosion, the team used numerical models. This will lay the ground for future studies.

Methodology The researchers have ap-

plied a set of approaches to in-vestigating this phenomenon. These include a review of data available on this issue and a survey of the views of people

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 assess-ment 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.

FindingsThe researchers concluded

that the data available indicate that the coasts of the region are likely to remain in rela-tive stability, without the hu-man 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 move-ment of tides occurs twice a day, with a maximum range of almost 3 metres.

The shoreline is hit by medium-intensity waves,

hence the movement of sedi-ments 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 investi-gated. Having these sediments together with huge facilities along the coastline, erosion emerges as a serious problem in those areas. Sediments ac-cumulate in other parts of the coastline.

The study also conclud-ed 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. accumula-tion and corrosion on both sides of some facilities were reported, for instance at the mouth of the al Hawasnah Wadi. However, stability is a

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 lo-cations of al Batinah coast is not due to sea level rise rela-tive to the land, but it is a phe-nomenon that has accompa-nied 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 coast-line have had a limited impact on the erosion in some loca-tions and the accumulation of sediments in other places dur-ing a limited period of time. There seems to be no signifi-cant effect of the lack of sedi-ment 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 under-lines that it is necessary to constantly monitor the coast-line and any changes that may occur. as previously noted, the local inhabitants rely heav-ily 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 solu-tions, such as pumping sand accumulated behind the wave breakers or behind the dams feeding groundwater into the affected beaches.

It is also important to es-tablish a national authority which would co-ordinate be-tween all parties concerned in terms of managing coastal areas, disseminating informa-tion about the phenomenon, and continued monitoring so as to effectively sustain the coastal areas.

Researchers examine coastal erosions in Al Batinah

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 collec-tion 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 un-bottled drinking water.

He pointed out that the results of his study could be valuable for both the public and the water re-sources authorities.

Such results may help in exploring short and long term solutions and planning to reduce or control ar-senic 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 drink-ing 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.

Measuring arsenic in well water

Existing facilities are to blame

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 devel-opment of knowledge-based economy. In Oman, competi-tion in the next century will be based upon the industries that depend on science and knowl-

edge.Organisations engaged

in collaborative inter-organ-isational business processes need to share information and knowledge to increase their knowledge bases, innovation and competitiveness.

She remarks that inter-organisational networks and collaborations may incur costs and risks to their organisations. Some of these risks and barri-ers are lack of trust, difficulty in fostering commitment, the persistence of separate or-ganisations in independence, and different culture. To build up stable and sustained inter-organisational networks and inter-organisational knowl-edge sharing system, these ob-stacles must be overcome, she concludes.

Inter-organisational knowledge sharing systems: A new strategy a 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 mu-tations associated with glau-coma have been identified in different populations. Twenty families with glaucoma have been encountered in the Oph-thalmology Clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital”. Her attempt is designed to clin-ically and genetically charac-terise familial cases in Oman.

It will involve a comprehen-sive clinical characterisation and drawing family pedigrees.

Limited mapping of known loci will initially be conducted to screen for possible chro-mosomal 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 muta-tions in candidate genes, she concluded.

Clinical and genetic aspects of glaucoma

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