bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Response of a low subsiding intracratonic basin to long wavelength deformations: the Palaeocene–early Eocene period in the Paris basin
Authors: Briais J. , Guillocheau F. , Lasseur E. , Robin C. , Châteauneuf J. J. , Serrano O.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. The uppermost Cretaceous to early Palaeogene is a period of major deformations of the western part of the Eurasian plate with prominent basin inversions starting from the Coniacian onwards. These deformations occur in a complex geodynamic setting within both the context of the Africa–Eurasia convergence and the North Atlantic opening. While Mesozoic graben inversions have been extensively studied, particularly in Eastern Europe and the North Sea, more gentle deformations that affect thicker crust areas (intracratonic basins and emerged lands) are not as well documented. The objective of this study is to constrain the exact timing, type and magnitude of the early Palaeogene deformations affecting the intracratonic Paris basin and to integrate them at the Western European scale. Relatively gentle deformations are attempted through a high-resolution reconstitution of its stratigraphic record based on outcrops and well-dated wells, and a high number of well-logs that are correlated using the "stacking pattern" sequence stratigraphic technique. Two orders of sequences are identified (third- and fourth-order) and correlated throughout the basin. Basin geometric and palaeogeographic reconstitutions are based on sediment thickness and facies analysis. Two-dimensional accommodation space measurements were taken in order to quantify the magnitude of the deformations. Three phases of deformation were recognized. 1. An intra-Maastrichtian–pre-Thanetian (59 Ma) deformation, with major uplift and erosion of the Cretaceous strata with two sub-periods of deformation: Maastrichtian–pre-middle-Danian and Upper Danian–pre-Thanetian long wavelength deformations. This period of major deformation is coeval with Upper Cretaceous–pre-Danian compressive deformations linked to the Africa–Eurasia convergence in southern France and with volcanic activity from the North Atlantic to Massif Central and the Rhenish Shield during the Palaeocene; 2. an early Ypresian (55.1–54.3 Ma) medium wavelength deformation (× 10 km), here reported to be a stress rearrangement related to the onset of the North Atlantic opening; 3. an uppermost Ypresian (49.8 Ma) long wavelength deformation (× 100 km), contemporaneous with flexural compressive deformations in the Aquitaine Basin (Pyrenean deformation), and related to the Iberia–Eurasia convergence.
Echoes of Beauty: In Memory of Pleshette DeArmitt
Authors: Miller Elaine P.
Published: December 2015

There is a special poignancy to the fact that Pleshette DeArmitt's essay "Sarah Kofman's Art of Affirmation" foregrounds Freud's essay "On Transience," in which he muses on the fact that beauty seems to be inextricably linked to a fleeting existence.  As DeArmitt writes, "beauty, even in full flowering, foreshadows its own demise, causing what Freud describes as 'a foretaste of mourning.'" Such a transience, in Freud's mind, increases rather than decreases the worth of all that is beautiful. In her essay, DeArmitt argues that Kofman's 1985 text Mélancolie de l'Artreinscribes Freud's text, but brings it into the present by pointing to contemporary art as the occasion for the opening up of a new space, one capable of "dislocat[ing] the space of representation and meaning" and "invent[ing] a space of indetermination and play.” Through dislocation of a fixed reference or meaning and opening up a place for indeterminacy and play, contemporary art acknowledges and celebrates, rather than regrets, the transience of beauty.
Book Review: Neil Roberts, Freedom as Marronage (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2015)
Authors: Mills Charles
Published: December 2015

A book review of Neil Roberts, Freedom as Marronage (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 2015).
An Investigation of the Determinants of Savings and Investment in Nigeria
Authors: Johnson Adelakun O.
Published: December 2015

This study examined the relationship between savings, investment and economic growth. A corollary of the work is the determination of which of the inputs of production contributes more to economic growth in Nigeria. The study makes use of time series data spanning twenty-nine years using error correction model. The result shows a positive relationship between savings, investment and economic growth in Nigeria. Of the determinants of savings considered in the study, inflation rate contributes negatively to saving, while interest rate positively affect saving. All these confirm economic theory. The striking feature of the study however is the confirmation of the impact of labour on economic growth, which according to the study far outweighs the contribution of capital.
Global change: The Arabian Gulf ecosystem – An introduction
Authors: Soliman Yousria S.
Published: December 2015

The Arabian Gulf is a main source of wealth and food for the people of the Gulf countries. For hundreds of years,
the Gulf used to be the main source for some of the finest pearls in the world. It harbors highly diverse and
productive habitats including coral reefs, mangroves, intertidal marshes, and seagrass. Another feature of the
Arabian Gulf is that it hosts the second largest population of dugongs in the world’s oceans. The Gulf is a shallow
basin (avg. depth = 35 m) that has some of the most radical environmental conditions in the world’s oceans
including extreme temperature, high UV irradiance, high evaporations and limited fresh water influx, resulting in
salinities that ranges from 40 up to 70 psu in some bays. On the top of the aforementioned extreme natural
hydrographic conditions, there are tremendous environmental stresses exerted by the unprecedented
industrialization, fossil hydrocarbon exploration and production, shipping tankers introducing non-indigenous
species, power and desalination plants, and coastal development activities as well as any remnants from the
largest oil spills in history, during the Gulf war in 1991. Qatar University Life Science Symposium (QULSS) is an
annual event where local and world leader academics address the research priorities for the state of Qatar and
the Gulf region. As headlines worldwide emphasize climatic changes, ocean acidification, eutrophication, loss of
habitats, marine pollution, and toxic algal blooms as the top environmental issues threatening the health of the
world’s oceans and the Gulf, the QULSS of 2015 is tackling the effects of the local and global changes on the
Arabian Gulf ecosystem. In QULSS-2015, marine scientists in Qatar University, along with collaborators from
local, regional and international leading institutes, communicate and exchange their most recent research findings
on impacts of different stressors including extreme natural conditions on the structures and functions of different
species and habitats in the Gulf, to the fellow scientists, public, and policymakers. Objectives of the symposium
are to increase the awareness on the ecological value of the Arabian Gulf, to initiate activities that foster marine
science education, to promote interests in marine and environmental sciences among young people, to encourage
young generations to pursue a career in marine environmental science/research, and to provide opportunities for
networking and collaboration among scientists at the national, regional and international level as well as to
strengthen scientific and research collaboration between academia, industry, and decision makers.
Global change in marine ecosystems: implications for semi-enclosed Arabian seas
Authors: Duarte Carlos M.
Published: December 2015

Global Change has been defined as the impact of human activities on the key processes that determine the functioning of the Biosphere. Global Change is a major threat for marine ecosystems and includes climate change as well as other global impacts such as inputs of pollutants, overfishing and coastal sprawl. The Semi-enclosed Arabian Seas, including the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea, have supported human livelihoods in the Arabian Peninsula over centuries and continue to do so, but are also threatened by Global Change. These threats are particularly severe as Semi-enclosed Arabian Seas already present rather extreme conditions, in terms of temperature, salinity and oxygen concentration. The vulnerability of the unique marine ecosystems of the Semi-enclosed Arabian Seas to Global Change vectors is largely unknown, but predictions based on first principles suggest that they may be at or near the tipping point for many pressures, such as warming and hypoxia. There is an urgent need to implement international collaborative research programs to accelerate our understanding of the vulnerability of Semi-enclosed Arabian Seas to Global Change vectors in order to inform conservation and management plans to ensure these Seas continue to support the livelihoods and well-being of the Arab nations.
Toward the development of a remote sensing and field data framework to aid management decisions in the state of Qatar coastal environment
Authors: Warren Christopher , DuPont Jennifer , Abdel-Moati Mohamed , Hobeichi Sanaa , Palandro David , Purkis Sam
Published: December 2015

The benthic habitat of the Qatari nearshore marine environment plays a significant ecological role and environmental service. Areas of coral help provide protection and sustenance for a vast array of fish species and marine invertebrates, and represent a significant proportion of biodiversity in the region. Seagrass meadows which are prominent in northern Qatari waters are important to charismatic species such as the Hawksbill turtle and dugongs. Stands of macroalgae and even areas of coral rubble provide additional habitat for many marine species. These features, particularly the coral structures, also provide shoreline protection from high energy wave events and storm surges. As such, improving our understanding of these habitats as well as the need to protect and conserve the nearshore Qatari environment is a focus area for local researchers and regulatory authorities.

Traditionally, the nearshore marine environment has been studied through intensive field measurement and monitoring. While valuable for collecting detailed site-specific information, this approach can be very resource intensive and also limiting in the scale at which habitats can be quantified and monitored for change. One way to address this is through remote sensing, which has been widely used around the globe to study and monitor benthic habitat cover. For example, data obtained from satellite imagery has been used to classify benthic habitats and in various coral reef remote sensing applications.
In this paper, a framework is discussed for the remote sensing mapping of sensitive habitats in the Qatari nearshore marine environment, including field data collection and analysis. A case study from northeastern Qatar is highlighted, focusing on spring 2015 efforts to test the framework particularly for the purposes of mapping coral and seagrass habitats. Results suggest this approach may be a viable option for identifying sensitive areas in the region and monitoring longer-term ecosystem health under natural and anthropogenic stressors in a more safe and cost-effective manner. Limitations and lessons learned will be discussed as well as recommendations on the application of this approach to coastal environmental risk assessment and management planning in the State of Qatar.
If it is possible to create and manage marine ecosystem in a desert, why is the whole gulf ecosystem under threat?
Authors: Jones David A , Nithyanandan Manickam
Published: December 2015

Over the last 14 years a mega project, Sea City, Kuwait, has been developed for over 100,000 inhabitants in a saline desert, most dwellings having access to the sea via waterways. These are designed to circulate high quality seawater throughout the city using only wind and tidal power. Virtually all the intertidal and subtidal open sea Gulf marine habitats have been replicated artificially in Sea City following strict environmental guide lines.
Long term monitoring demonstrates that most of these habitats now contain a higher diversity and abundance in comparison to similar habitats, including fisheries, in the open Gulf.
In contrast there is now abundant evidence that the open Gulf ecosystem is in serious decline, particularly with regard to key habitats such as mangrove, seagrass, coral reefs and fisheries. Climate change cannot yet be responsible, as both Sea City and the open Gulf are subject to the same effects.

Hence decline in the open Gulf is likely to be due to a lack of adherence to environmental guide lines and management practises which have been strictly observed in the development of Sea City. These include absence of pollution; monitoring of water quality and ecosystem development; control of dredging; minimal habitat destruction, only protective infill; lack of sedimentation; enhancement of mangrove, seagrass and corals by cultivation and transplantation and regulation of fisheries.
Similar strict environmental regulation needs to be applied throughout the Gulf to save a fragile ecosystem before it is too late.
Bioaccumulation of mercury in pearl oyster (Pinctada radiata) from the coastal waters of Qatar (Arabian Gulf)
Authors: Al-Maslamani Ibrahim A. , Abdel-Moati Mohamed A. , Al-Ansari Ebrahim S. , Al-Ansi Mehsin A. , Soliman Yousria , Al-Shaikh Ismail M. , Rowe Gilbert , Wade Terry , Kuklyte Ligita , Helmi Ahmed , Al-Azhari Marwa M. , Yigiterhan Oguz
Published: December 2015

Mercury (HgT) and Methylmercury (MeHg) contents were determined in the soft edible tissue of the pearl oyster Pinctada radiata (family Pteriidae) collected by scuba diving from the coastal waters of Qatar during April-May 2011. Samples were gathered from Doha and Al-Edd Al-Gharbi representing highly productive sites. Samples were immediately transferred to a closed laboratory on board the research vessel and/or semi-closed section of the speed boat and processed without encountering sample contamination. Oysters were carefully placed in clean plastic zip-lock bags, and stored at -18 °C until freeze dried at QU and/or MoE labs. Trace metal clean techniques were applied for all steps in the sampling, preparation, preservation and analysis. Duplicate samples, spiked samples and Certified Reference Materials (TORT-2, DORM-2) were digested and analyzed multiple times with each batch of samples. The prepared samples were then analyzed in accordance with US-EPA Method 1630 and 1631 within 48 hours of digestion via ethylation, purge and trap (Tenax) pre-concentration, GC separation and AFS detection. HgT analyses were conducted by AULA 254 Automatic Mercury Analyzer (Gold Trap System) with Automatic Sample Digester in QU-ESC laboratories. MeHg analysis was conducted utilizing the BROOKS RAND MERX System with Hg Speciation GC & Pyrolysis. The maximum MeHg concentration detected was 0.284 μg/kg with the average of 0.016 μg/kg showing a 93% recovery for 80 individuals. The maximum HgT concentration was 0.014 μg/g with an average of 0.008 µg/g for the same set of samples with 87% spike recovery. These values were lower than those reported by FDA (average of 0.02 mg/kg) for oysters and mussels for MeHg contents and within the safe chronic exposure limits of 0.3 μg/kg/day for MeHg via oral ingestion. Values of MeHg and HgT concentrations were correlated with the biometric body parameters (length, width, thickness, total and wet weight) of oysters to detect the relation between mercury bioaccumulation in soft edible tissue and organisms age using its size as a proxy. Correlations between Hg concentrations in predator (e.g. Fish) and prey (e.g. Oyster) is useful in determining pathways of mercury transfer in coastal waters. Long-term monitoring of mercury tissue residue in Qatar’s coastal water is crucial in ecological risk assessment. It is recommended that monitoring for Hg should be extended to cover more stations especially near industrial activities.

Acknowledgement

This study was made possible by a grant from the Qatar National Research Fund under its National Priorities Research Program award number NPRP 09-505-1-081. The abstract contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Qatar National Research Fund.
Sediments quality assessment using sediment chemistry and community structure in the natural mangrove habitats in the east coast of Qatar, Arabian Gulf
Authors: Soliman Yousria , Khayat Jassim Al
Published: December 2015

Mangroves in the east coast of Qatar is one of the most productive ecosystems that supports complex communities of invertebrates and fishes. These habitats are exposed to impacts associated with the rapid industrial developments in the region and in the eastern coast of Qatar, where the natural mangrove reserve resides, making its biodiversity at risk of impacts of pollution from different sources. In order to assess the quality of the sediments of the mangrove and to assess the associated biodiversity of benthic macrofauna, integrative assessment was performed using chemical, biological and toxicological measurements. The quality of the sediments and the structure of the associated benthic community were examined in three locations (Al Dakhira, Al-Khor and the Port), that are located at different distances to potential sources of pollution. The first location while the latter is near a harbor. Sediment concentrations and tissue residues of organic contaminants (PAHs, PCBs, Dioxin and Furan) and trace metals (Hg, Pb, As and Cu) were determined in order to assess levels and bioavailability of contaminants. Biodiversity of benthic macrofaunal community where also estimated in the sediments bi-annually during 2013-2014. Sediments analysis showed that both trace metals and organic contaminants were impacted by proximity to potential sources of pollution with higher levels of contaminants in Al Dakhira and the port. Some contaminants like dioxin and furan were not detected in the study area. Species richness seemed to be impacted by the sediment quality where the highest number of species of benthic macrofaunal species (46 species) where reported from Al Khor. The number of species decreased by about 15% near the industrial city while it is reduced by over 60% near the harbor. Long term monitoring of these habitats is highly recommended for effective management and conservations. Long term monitoring of these habitats is highly recommended for effective management and conservations.
Contaminant metals in costal marine sediment along the Doha Bay, Qatar
Authors: Al-Naimia Hajer A. , Al-Ghoutib Mohammad A. , Al-Shaikha Ismail , Al-Yafeb Mehsin , Al-Meer Saeed
Published: December 2015

Heavy metals pollution in marine environments has become a worldwide problem with the fast industrial development in the east coastal region of Qatar, especially in the Doha bay area. Heavy metals are expected to be presented into the coastal environment and be combined within sediments together with organic matters, clay, oxides, and sulfides. The concentration of heavy metals in the marine environment depends on many factors such as the source of pollution, input, and its speciation, sediment characteristics, adsorptive properties of clay minerals, and others. This study aimed at providing knowledge on the environmental characteristics and properties in the location where many developments are constructed such as residences, marinas, and other facilities within the coast of Doha Bay. The study analysed the concentrations of 25 metals around Doha Bay to evaluate the pollution loading and the magnitude of the impact that the contaminants had on the sediment samples within the area on two sampling durations. Significant differences were observed in metal concentrations between the sampling locations and durations. Higher concentrations were observed in areas where there are a lot of anthropological activities. The distribution of selected metals was presented in contour maps showing the variation between the two periods. In order to further study particle size effect on metals uptake, two different grinding times were administered on four randomly selected samples and the results showed no significant difference on the analysis in the ICP-OES instrument. The overall results of metal analyses were within the international standards criteria and the results were comparable to the previous studies conducted around Qatar.
Characterization of microalgae species from Qatar coastal waters for animal feed production
Authors: Raees Asmaa M. , Ben-Hamadou Radhouane
Published: December 2015

Microalgae have a great potential to be used in animal feeding due to its significant amount of protein and essential fatty acids secreted in their cells. Two strains of microalgae were selected from Qatar University Culture Collection of Cyanobacteria and Microalgae (QUCCCM) isolated from the Qatari coasts and subjected to different cultural conditions (salinities and CO2) and the biomass produced is further analyzed for protein, lipids, and mineral composition. Result shows that Tetraselmis sp. under optimum condition of 35 psu and 5% CO2 enriched air is a promising candidate for feedstock production containing higher amount of calcium. Additionally, Nannochloris sp. isolate contains high amount of fatty acids, especially PUFA and contains high amount of potassium. We suggest using a blend of Tetraselmis sp. and Nannochloris sp. to provide adjustable diet for animals depending on their dietary requirements.
What Arabian coral reefs can teach us about the past, the future, and the management of the world's coral reefs
Authors: Riegl Bernhard
Published: December 2015

Arabian coral reefs are a window into the past and the future. Absence of well-developed frameworks in the southern Arabian Gulf indicates a long-term stressful, historical environmental regime. This contrasts with the northern Arabian Gulf, where better environmental conditions allowed reefs to progress further in geological succession. Since the late 1990s, thermal bleaching of corals has occurred with the highest frequency observed anywhere in the world. The Arabian Gulf now has a thermal regime that is predicted to occur across the tropical oceans in 2100 and studies of Gulf reefs today allow us to draw inferences on future pathways of stress and changes in coral assemblages across the world. Arabian Gulf coral communities are made up by three major groups of competitors (Acropora-merulinids-poritids) that converge upon a stable equilibrium, where they co-exist but Acropora dominates. Less tolerance to temperature and greater susceptibility to diseases makes Acropora vulnerable to dieback in extreme years, which allows slower-growing massive corals (faviids, poritids) to persist and even expand. Over the past two decades, dieback episodes occurred five times as frequently as in the early 20th century, causing significant changes in coral communities. Acropora death and availability as settlement substratum changes a competitive network from stable into unstable. But during very frequent and severe annually recurring disturbances, also poritids and merulinids die back, and now can positively influence populations via settling space on denuded colonies, therefore the competitive network is unstable. Trajectories are hard to predict and depend on local fertility or connectivity. Therefore, Gulf coral communities are not arranged orderly along environmental gradients, but are patchy and variable. Global change will continue to cause mortality and stability of competitive networks in many other regions will be degraded with hardly predictable outcomes. Lessons for the management of Gulf coral reefs, however, are clear:
- No species must be lost. Otherwise trajectories of even the best-managed reefs will be unpredictable.
- Threatened Acropora should be given special protection to safeguard remaining populations.
- Maximum connectivity must be maintained between different reef regions, to allow recolonization of degraded reefs.
- Networks of large marine protected areas are required
- Impacts in the coastal zone must be reduced since coral larvae must traverse also reef-free zones.
Extending the application of Arabian Gulf killifish embryo test for risk assessment of heavy metals in Qatari waters
Authors: Saeed Suhur , Deb Nandita , Dupont Jennifer M.
Published: December 2015

Fish embryos are excellent models for studies aimed at the understanding of toxic mechanisms and the indication of possible acute and chronic effects. For the past 3 years, an Arabian killifish fish embryo test (FET) has been developed in our laboratory as a routine ecotoxicological test for risk assessment of potential contaminants in the Arabian Gulf around Qatar. To further explore the applicability of the killifish embryos as a model for the Arabian Gulf conditions, we tested the toxicity of heavy metals such as zinc and copper using Arabian seawater conditions.
A breeding stock of sexually mature killifish, variable in age, was used for egg production. Eggs from several females were pooled and placed in salt water for fertilization. Embryos were examined under a dissecting microscope and viable embryos that were less than 6 h were selected. Eggs were distributed in replicates by stratified random assortment into 24 well plates. Observation was performed in 48-hour increments (± 2 hours). Endpoints included: coagulated eggs, absence of heartbeat, tail deformity and delayed hatching. Literature review was compiled for fish species that have been recommended for ELS toxicity testing. The data collected was then used for comparison to the current findings and the sensitivity was then extrapolated for the killifish embryos.
Past findings indicate that toxicity is reduced in high salinity waters. This was confirmed in this study where at salinity 40 psu there were no apparent effects on embryos for any concentration tested and all embryos hatched at expected duration. When salinity was reduced from 40 to 20 psu, metal toxicity increased significantly (P > 0.05). Examination of the existing literature on acute Zn and Cu toxicity to fish and larvae showed similar results to the findings in this study using killifish embryos. The findings further support the use of killifish embryos as indicator organisms for environmental risk assessments of Qatari waters. Benefits include; sensitivity to wide range of substances and conditions, animal alternative, ease of fish breeding, clarity of the embryos, reduced sample size, reduced waste generation and shorter study duration. By expanding this test to evaluate its sensitivity towards other potential contaminants in the Arabian Gulf, we will further enhance the potential of killifish embryos to be adopted as a model species in marine ecotoxicology and risk assessment in this region.
Northeastern Qatari coast hydrodynamic modeling for assessment of sensitive ecosystems under anthropogenic and natural stressors
Authors: Yousuf Ruqaiya A. , Warren Christopher , Husrevoglu Y. Sinan , Pathirana Sumith , Range Pedro , Ben-Hamadou Radhouan
Published: December 2015

The Northeastern Qatari coast, comprising diverse and sensitive flora and fauna communities (e.g. coral reefs and patches, seagrass meadows and turtles), is expected to undergo changes imposed by anthropogenic stressors (coastal development projects) in the near future. Ecohydrological models are theoretical, mathematical representations of a natural system, made to understand the functionalities of the real ecological system under physical forcing. These model systems are then used in order to assist the impact assessment of future scenarios on real systems. The aim of this study was to create hydrodynamic simulation along with a sediment transport model for a stretch of coastline off of Jabal Fuwairat. This aim was achieved using GEMSS modeler software, which requires the following data for a proper model (1) spatial data (that is included as shape files imported from ArcGIS), primarily the water body shoreline and bathymetry, additionally the locations, altitudes, and formations of man-made structures; (2) time-based data, that are varying in time (i.e. tidal changes, influx rate and temperature and meteorological data) and (3) Sediment composition. These data were collected and gathered into time varying data files and incorporated in the GEMSS modelling tool.Results from both hydrodynamic model (HDM) and sediment transport models (STM) demonstrated that the study area is highly dynamic, being mainly controlled by tides and with relatively high shear stress (potential for erosion) in the northern and east-western boundaries. Three scenarios of future development that might take place in the area were assessed and results showed the alteration of the dynamics of water and sediments accordingly. A sensitive analysis was conducted and recommendations to decision makers for a better management of the considered coastal zone are developed.
Remotely sensed empirical modeling of bathymetry in the east coast of Qatar
Authors: Balakrishnan P. , Halimi Abdullah Ahmad
Published: December 2015

Remotely sensed imagery is proving to be a useful tool in estimating water depths in coastal zones. On the other hand, many coastal zone studies in Qatar are only concerned with areas of shallow water and would easily benefit from updated bathymetric estimates. In this study, there are three significant satellites (Landsat TM, Landsat8 and Worldview3) that have been used to extract the bathymetric data from their images. We tested two different methods (1) single band algorithm and (2) principal components analysis (PCA) for extracting bathymetry information from satellite data. The location of the study area was chosen to be the east of State of Qatar. This area is called "AlGhariya" and the size of it is 62 km2.
The best band in Landsat TM that can be used to extract the data as the correlation coefficient (r) value obtained by regression between the known depth and the extracted depth was the green band with a r2 value of -0.909.. The blue band and the red band were not hugely different when single band algorithm (SBA) method was used. On the another hand, the results obtained using the second method of principal components analysis (PCA) exhibited a better r2 value (0.914), which was the best result between the three satellites . The best band using the first method for Landsat 8 was found to be the red band with a r2 of -0.837. Near IR band also had a good result and relation with the known depth with -0.834. The other bands did not have a high correlation coefficient (r) value by regression between the extracted depth from the bands and the known depth. In the second method two different components of images were used. In this, the highest correlation coefficient (r) was -0.816 using blue, green and red bands. For the third satellite Worldview-3, the result was not as good as the other satellites using both methods. Using the first method, the best band was the coastal band with -0.654. The correlation coefficient (r) value was less in the blue, green, red and the other bands. The second method also was not as good for the other satellites. The highest correlation coefficient (r) was -0.641 using coastal, blue and green bands. Furthermore, the shallow waters have negative influences on the accuracy of bathymetric modeling; thus, the correction of data in these shallow waters is challenged by the presence of continental aerosols, bottom reflectance, and adjacency of land.
Multiple stressors for oceanic primary production
Authors: Agusti Susana , Llabrés Moira , Lubián Luis M. , Moreno-Ostos Enrique , Estrada Marta , Duarte Carlos M. , Cerezo Maria I.
Published: December 2015

Marine ecosystems are increasingly exposed to stress factors of anthropogenic origin that change their function, structure and services they deliver society. Climate change occurs simultaneously with other changes in the environment acting jointly in a context of global environmental change. For oceanic phytoplankton communities, the research conducted so far has identified stress factors associated with global change and their impact individually (warming, acidification, increased UVB radiation, pollutants). But when several stressors act simultaneously interactions and responses are not equal to the sum of individual impacts, but may have synergistic effects (the effects are multiplied) or antagonistic (cancel out the effects) that hinder predictions of the vulnerability of ecosystems to global change. Here we will examine the vulnerability of oceanic primary producers to the accumulation of different stressors associated with global change. The trend for autotrophic picoplankton to increase with temperature in the ocean has led to predictions that autotrophic picoplankton abundance will increase with warming. However, it is documented a trend towards a decline in productivity, due to declined autotroph biomass and production with warming and the associated stratification in the subtropical ocean. Models predicting an increase in abundance are in contradiction with the reported decrease in productivity in several oceanic areas, and associate oligotrophication. Here we perform a global study to analyze the relationships of autotrophic picoplankton with oceanic temperature, nutrients, underwater light and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation, and productivity. We built a model to project the future changes of autotrophic picoplankton considering multiple environmental changes in future climate scenarios for the subtropical gyres. We considered increased water temperature, and associated changes in productivity and underwater light and UVB. The model show that warming and the decrease in water productivity, with the associated increase in photosynthetic active radiation and UV-B radiation at depth, are expected to result in a decline by 18 to 42 % in the abundance of autotrophic picoplankton. We also predict an increase in the importance of deep blooms at moderate warming, that models based solely in temperature changes failed to predict. We will examine also the vulnerability of oceanic primary producers to the accumulation of different stressors associated with global change as warming, increased UVB radiation and persistent organic pollutants, and explore whether there are synergistic and antagonistic responses of due to join stresses impacting them.
Marine giants in extreme environments - why the Arabian Gulf hosts one of the largest aggregations of whale sharks in the world
Authors: Bach Steffen Sanvig , Al-Jeidah Mohammed , Robinson David
Published: December 2015

The Al Shaheen oil field is located approximately 80 km north-east of Qatar in the Arabian Gulf. The area hosts a highly productive marine environment due to a combination of complex currents. Despite sea surface temepratures exeeding 35 degress Celcius in the summer images taken by Remote Operated Vehicles demonstrate extensive and diverse marine growth on the subsea structures of the production platforms. Over the last twenty years the platforms have turned into artificial reefs that attracts numerous pelagic species. More than 30 fish species have been identified so far including top predators such as Scalloped hammerhead(Sphyrna lewini), Blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus), and Zebra shark (Stegostoma fasciatum).
The diverse marine fauna is however best known for one of the world largest aggregations of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) that return to this area every summer from May to September. The research has demonstrated that whale sharks come here to feed on the high concentration of tuna mackerel spawn (Euthynnus affinis) (Robinson, et. al , 2013). Over the past four years the Qatar Whale Shark Research project (www.qatarwhalesharkproject.com) has used novel acoustic and telemetric technologies to describe the behaviour of the Arabian Gulf whale shark population. More than 100 whale sharks have been fitted with acoustic tags to be able to identify the hot spots within the Al Shaheen oil field. Photo identification of more than 300 individuals and satellite telemetry tracking has confirmed the Al Shaheen Oil field as a highly important feeding habitat in the region. Detailed hydrological modelling has been initiated in order to better describe the currents that may influence the spawning location of the tuna mackerel and the movements of the whale sharks in the Arabian Gulf.
The data will make it possible for relevant authorities and industry operators to take appropriate action in order to secure the protection of whale sharks in the Arabian Gulf.
Robinson DP, Jaidah MY, Jabado RW, Lee-Brooks K, Nour El-Din NM, Malki AAA, et al. (2013) Whale Sharks, Rhincodon typus, Aggregate around Offshore Platforms in Qatari Waters of the Arabian Gulf to Feed on Fish Spawn. PLoS ONE 8(3): e58255. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0058255
Acoustic detection discovers hotspot for dolphins in the Arabian Gulf and records undocumented species
Authors: Jeppe Dalgaard Balle , Bach Steffen Sanvig , Teilman Jonas
Published: December 2015

Gaining knowledge about the biodiversity of an area is a prerequisite to understanding and protecting the inhabiting species. Very little is known about cetacean species and their distribution in Qatar marine waters. The Al Shaheen offshore oil extraction platforms situated in the Arabian Gulf 85 km NE of Qatar mainland have been identified as a hotspot for plankton feeding whale sharks and cetacean species have been sighted consistently in the area during whale shark surveys. Several different species of cetaceans have been sighted but no official records have been published nor has any monitoring been carried out so far.

It is important for conservation and management to understand the ecological consequences of human utilisation of marine habitats. Anthropogenic noise in the marine environment is increasing as a consequence of such utilisation and may have a great impact on the behaviour and overall fitness of marine mammals in the vicinity of noise sources (Richardson et al. 1995).

A 2 year monitoring project around a Danish Maersk gas production platform initiated in 2013 has indicated that production platforms potentially act as a hotspot for harbour porpoises regardless of the increased noise levels from the ongoing human activities (Balle et al. 2014). It is possible that a similar positive effect is seen with the cetacean species sighted in the Al Shaheen area. Alternatively, Al Shaheen may have a high natural productivity, attracting large fish and cetaceans. Using state of the art marine acoustic technology, 2 passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) stations using Wildlife Acoustic SM3M+ broadband loggers (384 kHz sample rate, 16 bit, -165dB re 1V/µPa single hydrophones) with Sub Sea Sonic AR-60-E acoustic releasers were deployed in August 2014. One station (AlShaheen800) was deployed within 800 m of an operating production platform and a reference station (Alshaheen12800) at 12 kilometres distance within the Al Shaheen area.
Here, we will present preliminary diurnal and seasonal variation from the first three deployment periods (Aug-Oct 2014, Feb-Apr 2015 and May-July 2015) and visual identification of 3 species (dwarf spinner dolphin, long-beaked common dolphin and indo-pacific bottlenose dolphin) encountered in the Al Shaheen area. To our knowledge, this is the first time the dwarf spinner dolphin has been sighted in the Arabian Gulf. We also wish to stress the requirement for an ongoing monitoring effort (visually and acoustically) to further understand and document the distribution of cetacean species inhabiting the Al Shaheen area.

Balle, Jeppe Dalgaard, Clausen, Karin Tubbert, Mikkelsen, Lonnie, Wisniewska, Danuta Maria & Teilmann, Jonas 2014. Harbour Porpoises and noise around an operating oil and gas production platform in the North Sea – Status report. Nature Agency, Danish Ministry of Environment.
Richardson, W.J., Malme, C.I., Green Jr., C.R., Thomson, D.H., 1995. Marine Mammals and Noise. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, USA.
Arabian Gulf reef fishes: a valuable but vulnerable asset for climate change research
Authors: Burt John
Published: December 2015

The Arabian Gulf is one of the most thermally extreme marine environments on earth, representing a unique ‘natural laboratory’ in which to develop an understanding of how reef fishes may respond to future climate change. Recent research comparing fish in the southern Arabian Gulf with those on reefs in the more benign Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea has provided insights into how reef fish communities, populations and individuals may respond to increasingly extreme temperatures in other regions. Reef fish communities in the southern Arabian Gulf were shown to be low in species diversity, abundance, and biomass compared with those on reefs in less extreme environments. Arabian Gulf reef fish communities were also functionally distinct, with coral-dependent fishes and important functional groups such as parrotfish being relatively rare. Demographic studies of several species have shown that the extreme thermal environment of the southern Gulf is associated with faster growth rates than conspecifics outside of the Gulf, but that these fish mature at significantly smaller sizes, which may have implications for reproduction and population replenishment. Such studies can provide insight into how populations and communities in other regions may respond as sea temperatures increase in the future. While Arabian Gulf reef fish represent a valuable asset for understanding biological responses to extreme temperatures, they are not immune to the growing pressure of climate change in the region itself. Recent experiments have shown that while Arabian Gulf reef fishes may have the capacity to survive higher temperatures than conspecifics in surrounding seas fish in the Gulf are living very near their physiological limits, suggesting that they are likely to be highly susceptible to even modest increases in seawater temperature. Climate change is also likely to have indirect effects on reef fishes in the Gulf through increased habitat loss, with all coral dependent fishes known for the Gulf already classified as vulnerable to extinction as a result of reef degradation in recent decades. There are also considerable gaps in knowledge of how ocean acidification may affect reef fishes, particularly the more vulnerable larval stages, and how this may synergize with thermal and other anthropogenic stressors.
The influence of recent hotel amenities and green practices on guests’ price premium and revisit intention
Authors: Kim Woo Gon , Li Jun (Justin) , Han Jin Soo , Kim Yunkyong
Published: December 2015

This study examines the influence of hotels’ green practices, recent amenities, and traditionally salient attributes on customers’ overall online evaluation, revisit intention and hotel performance. The researchers acquired data from more than one hundred US hotels located across different states with the assistance of an international hotel chain. In order to demonstrate the incremental information content of recently-adopted hotel amenities and levels of green initiatives, the study compared two extended models with the basic model, which incorporates only salient attributes such as cleanliness, location, room, service and value. The findings indicate that the availability of recently-added amenities such as free Wi-Fi, pet boarding, free self-parking, multilingual staff, and airport transportation, as well as green practice initiatives, have a strong, incremental predictive power in explaining guests’ overall online review ratings, price premium and revisit intention.
The Water-Energy-Environment Nexus in the Great Lakes Region: The Case for Integrated Resource Planning
Authors: Tidwell Vincent C , Pebbles Victoria
Published: December 2015

Water is a critical element of electric power production in the U.S., particularly in the Great Lakes Basin region. Thermoelectric power generation accounts for the majority of all water withdrawals in the Basin, in large part due to the comparatively heavy concentrations of coal and nuclear power generation that utilize open-loop cooling. This paper explores how different energy generation portfolios could affect the water resources of the Great Lakes Basin. The suite of power generation scenarios analyzed reflects a range of potential outcomes resulting from the implementation of key national and regional energy and environmental policies for the electric power industry. These policies include U.S. EPA’s pending power plant cooling water intake standards, state renewable energy portfolio standards,  possible climate change legislation, and the 2005 Great Lakes regional water resource agreement (Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact of 2005; Public Law 110–342).  Five scenarios were analyzed, resulting in different levels and intensities of total water use (withdrawal and consumption) in hydrologically-sensitive watersheds. These results confirm the close relationship between water and energy in the Great Lakes, and point to the need to take into account water resource impacts in designing future energy and environmental policies.
An Analysis on the Coordination Development of Low-carbon Economy in Mongolia
Authors: Chimeddorj Nomin-Erdene
Published: December 2015

Currently, the global economic growth model is based on the input of resources, especially the input of energy. Throughout the energy structures all over the world, mostly coal, oil, natural gas and other high-carbon fossil fuels, and those high-carbon fossil fuels have become the main source of atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Economic growth and energy consumption, there should be causal relationship between economic growth and carbon dioxide emissions, the economic growth model can get rid of the fossil energy constraints, whereas carbon dioxide emissions can be disconnected from the economic growth, to cope with these problems facing the development of low-carbon economy in Mongolia. The research makes use of time-series model to test the causal relationship between economic growth and energy consumption, economic growth and carbon dioxide emissions as well as between energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
Participating with Experience—A Case Study of Students as Co-Producers of Course Design
Authors: Forsman Linda Reneland
Published: December 2015

Higher Education (HE) needs to handle a diverse student population. The role of student expectations and previous experience is a key to fully participate. This study investigates student meaning making and interaction in a course designed to stimulate student as co-creators of course content and aims. Results revealed that rich communication added structure for students, that open-ended design challenged student approaches and constructed students as subjects. Analysis was made using recorded webinars, asynchronous discussion forums and e-mails. Data was categorised as communicative actions based on their orientations in the course i.e., what further actions they provoked. Analysis was guided by theories on participation and framing (Wenger & Bernstein). The influence of dominating discourses for the didactics of HE risk excluding some perspectives and experiences when students’ experiences and expectations are not regarded as contributing to the meaning making of their own participating in academic educational practices. Finally, the study suggests that a move into web-based contexts more easily challenges students’ preconceptions of studying.