algal bloom the size of mexico could threaten uae marine life
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Algal bloom the size of Mexico could threaten UAE marine life,

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Algal bloom the size of Mexico could threaten UAE marine life,

Phytoplankton communities were blooming in the Arabian Sea on February 3, 2016,
Fujairah - ArabToday

A harmful algal bloom is making its way to the shores of Oman and raising questions about consequences for tourism, fisheries and marine ecosystems on the east coast of the UAE.
Reports from Oman this month described a patch of algae-infested water the size of Mexico spreading across the Arabian Sea.
The bloom is caused by Noctiluca scintillans, a common algal species, which is not harmful in small concentrations. Given certain conditions, however, the algae start growing rapidly, reaching dangerous concentrations and forming what is commonly known as a bloom.
Dr Maryam Al Shehhi, a research assistant at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, said satellite images showed the first batches of algae-infested water, visible in the eastern part of the Arabian Sea from mid-February.
"The growth and expansion of these algal batches has increased where these blooms are now covering the central Arabian Sea and the Sea of Oman," she said.
A map compiled by Dr Al Shehhi on Wednesday showed high concentrations of chlorophyll A. This pigment is essential for photosynthesis and is used as a measure of productivity in the oceans. The map shows "high chlorophyll A values" of 10 milligrams per cubic metre over most of the Sea of Oman.
"High concentration of chlorophyll A reflects the high density of the algal species in the water and can cause oxygen depletion," she said.
The map shows that the UAE waters are relatively unaffected so far. This was confirmed by scuba diving instructor Jeffrey Catanjal.
This month, he said, he only remembered one instance two weeks ago when he dived in "very green" water off Dibba Rock on the east coast. The algae were so thick that visibility in the water was 1 metre, he said.
"Now it is amazing," he said. "I was diving yesterday and it was good – seven metres’ visibility and sharks are still there, turtles are there. There is no problem."
Still, it is too early to breathe sighs of relief, said John Burt, an associate professor at New York University Abu Dhabi and head of the university’s marine biology laboratory.
"Because the coastline of Fujairah sits within the wider Sea of Oman, Noctiluca blooms do pose a threat to the UAE," he said.
In high density, algal blooms can clog the intake pipes and membrane filters of desalination plants, threatening to shut them down, he said. Another negative consequence could be mass losses of fish, coral and other marine organisms.
"Such impacts to infrastructure and ecosystems have happened in the recent past," said Mr Burt.
"A large scale bloom of a different algal species last occurred in 2008-2009 in Fujairah and resulted in the closure of desalination plants, declines in tourist visits to beach hotels, and long-term impacts to coral reefs and fish, with some reefs losing over 90 per cent of their coral."
The blooms have natural causes, such as rainfall that creates the welling up of nutrient-rich water from the sea bottom and dust storms bringing nutrients in the form of phosphate and iron particles.
Human activities such as aquaculture and the discharge of water from sewage treatment plants also play a role.
"While large-scale weather patterns are out of our control, there are actions that decision-makers can take to limit stressors that might exacerbate conditions leading to blooms," said Dr Burt.
"That means carefully controlling where and how many aquaculture facilities are in operation, and spending funds to improve sewage treatment infrastructure so that tertiary treatment of the wastewater is done to chemically remove excess nutrients before it is discharged into the sea," he said.
Dr Al Shehhi said satellite images could help to monitor the UAE’s coastlines by providing real-time data on the location and movement of blooms.
"The real-time satellite images could be combined with hydrodynamic models and meteorological data to build up a forecasting system that can work as an early warning tool to detect and track the movements of the algal blooms," she said.

Source: The National

almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

algal bloom the size of mexico could threaten uae marine life algal bloom the size of mexico could threaten uae marine life

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

algal bloom the size of mexico could threaten uae marine life algal bloom the size of mexico could threaten uae marine life

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today The Rake announces editorial updates

GMT 10:46 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

The Rake announces editorial updates
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Europe brings on charm and blue skies

GMT 11:51 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Europe brings on charm and blue skies
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today For the Variety of Interior Design Styles

GMT 10:46 2017 Tuesday ,19 December

For the Variety of Interior Design Styles
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today US Christian tourists see deep meaning

GMT 13:44 2018 Monday ,22 January

US Christian tourists see deep meaning
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 10:03 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 08:28 2012 Monday ,12 November

IBQ revamps private bank business to maintain edge

GMT 22:13 2012 Tuesday ,10 April

IBQ chief: Too many banks in Qatar

GMT 23:14 2012 Thursday ,05 April

UN rights chief calls for Trayvon Martin probe

GMT 13:07 2011 Saturday ,17 December

Chelsea target Ross Barkley

GMT 03:27 2014 Tuesday ,22 April

China stocks open mixed Tuesday

GMT 22:15 2017 Tuesday ,08 August

Saving lives gets tougher for Med's charity boats

GMT 12:02 2013 Monday ,25 February

Lebanon’s al-Rahi urges politicians to resign

GMT 16:25 2013 Tuesday ,27 August

Britain not seeking to topple Assad: Deputy PM

GMT 18:41 2011 Friday ,19 August

French winger Huget handed 3-month doping ban

GMT 12:49 2013 Wednesday ,30 January

I am not the star of my movies

GMT 15:03 2013 Friday ,02 August

Guerlain unveils autumn collection

GMT 11:33 2016 Wednesday ,06 January

China 'firmly opposes' North Korean nuclear test

GMT 13:09 2015 Tuesday ,25 August

Bahrain condemns suicide attack in Beheira

GMT 07:48 2012 Tuesday ,19 June

Tea tree oil can cure acne!

GMT 07:50 2012 Tuesday ,19 June

Tart cherries reduce osteoarthritis inflammation

GMT 08:10 2015 Friday ,25 December

England team need winter break for success

GMT 01:47 2016 Wednesday ,16 November

Evening hours for Egyptian Museum for first time

GMT 09:37 2012 Sunday ,26 August

2 members of Al-Qaeda arrested in Yemen

GMT 01:25 2011 Saturday ,12 November

Amber Heard is sultry in midnight blue
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday