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Troposphere ozone layer acts as a shield against all ultraviolet radiation approaching the planet Earth through absorption. It was noticed in mid 80s that ozone layer has thinned on the poles of the planet due to release of man-made substances commonly known as Ozone Depleting Substances, (ODS) into its atmosphere. The consequences of this change are adverse as the harmful radiations reach to the surface of the earth, strongly influencing the crops yield and vegetation. These radiations are major cause of skin cancer that has long exposure to Ultra Violet (UV) radiation. United States environmental protection agency and European community have imposed strict regulations to curb the emission of ODS and phase out schedules for the manufacture and use of ODS that was specified by Montreal protocol in 1987. Problem statement: This research deled with data analysis of ozone layer thickness obtained from Abu-Dhabi station and detailed measurement of air pollution levels in Kuwait. Approach: The ozone layer thickness in stratosphere had been correlated with the measured pollution levels in the State of Kuwait. The influence of import of ozone depletion substances for the last decade had been evaluated. Other factor that strongly affects the ozone layer thickness in stratosphere is local pollution levels of primary pollutants such as total hydrocarbon compounds and nitrogen oxides. Results: The dependency of ozone layer thickness on ambient pollutant levels presented in detail reflecting negative relation of both non-methane hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide concentrations in ambient air. Conclusion: Ozone layer thickness in stratosphere had been measured for five years (1999-2004) reflecting minimum thickness in the month of December and maximum in the month of June. The ozone thickness related to the ground level concentration of non-methane hydrocarbon and can be used as an indicator of the health of ozone layer thickness in the stratosphere. Key words: Ozone depleting substances, ultraviolet radiation, stratosphere, hydrocarbon compounds, nitrogen oxides, INTRODUCTION Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS): In the stratosphere level above 30-35 km, the solar cycle effects the ozone layer depends of the reactions: O + [O.sub.3] [right arrow] [O.sub.2] + [...]

In Kuwait, two main power stations, one comprising of seven-300MW steam generators at Doha and other with eight-300MW steam generators at Subyia cover the major power requirement of Kuwait city. These stations used different types of fuel oil as the prime source of energy that has different sulpher contents (S%). Comprehensive emission inventories for year the 2001 were used to execute Source Complex model for Short-term Dispersion (ISCST4.5) to predict ambient ground level concentrations of sulphur dioxide ([SO.sub.2]) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) at selected receptors. A yearlong meteorological data were used in conjunction with the dispersion model to compute [SO.sub.2] and NOx levels in and around the power stations. For validation of the model, computed results were compared with the measured daily average values at a fixed Kuwait EPA air quality monitoring station located at the roof of polyclinic in Rabia residential area. Contributions of each power station to the highest predicted values were assessed. Significance of the fifty highest hourly, daily and annual ground level concentration values under existing meteorological conditions was analyzed. The results for year 2001 revealed that daily and annual mean predicted [SO.sub.2] concentrations had exceedance about 5.7% and 0.16% respectively of the total area under investigation. Based on these results, mitigation strategies would be proposed to abate high pollution levels caused by these power stations. Key words: Air pollution, ISCST4.5, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, INTRODUCTION Rapid industrialization worldwide has triggered off a wave of economic development bringing prosperity and advancement for many nations. However, such activity has not been without degradation of the environment, [...]

Air pollution and its effects on the ecosystem has been a source of concern for many environmental pollution organizations in the world. In particular climatologists who are not directly involved in petroleum industry sometimes express concerns about the environmental impacts of gaseous emissions from flaring at various despised points. For environmental and resource conservation reasons, flaring should always be minimized as much as practicable and be consistent with safety considerations. However, any level of flaring has a local environmental impact, as well as producing emissions which have the potential to contribute to the global warming. In this study the Industrial Source Complex (ISCST3) Dispersion Model is used to calculate the ground level concentrations of two selected primary pollutants (i.e. methane and non-methane hydrocarbons) emitted from flaring activities at oil production facilities at North Kuwait. Model validation is based on the comparison of the 50 highest daily measured values and their respective predicted concentrations of methane and non-methane hydrocarbons. At discrete receptors, it is noticed that the predicted values are in good agreement with the observed data (accuracy range of 60-90%) from the monitoring stations maintained by the Kuwait Environmental Public Authority (EPA). The predicted results are based on emission inventories. Therefore, accurate emission inventory strategy for Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) as means of monitoring and minimizing the impact of methane and non-methane hydrocarbons emissions is of prime importance. Key words: Kuwait oilfields, iscst3 model, flaring, air pollution, green house gases, INTRODUCTION Kuwait is a major oil exporting country and its economy, growth and prosperity is heavily dependent on oil production. KOC is at the heart of the petroleum production in [...]

Air pollution and its effects on the ecosystem has been a source of concern for many environmental pollution organizations in the world. In particular climatologists who are not directly involved in petroleum industry sometimes express concerns about the environmental impacts of gas emissions from flaring at well heads. For environmental and resource conservation reasons, flaring should always be minimized as much as practicable and consistent with safety considerations. However, any level of flaring has a local environmental impact, as well as producing emissions which have the potential to contribute to the global warming. In the present research the Industrial Source Complex (ISCST3) Dispersion Model is used to calculate the ground level concentrations of two selected primary pollutants (i.e. methane and non-methane hydrocarbons) emitted due to flaring in all of Kuwait Oilfields. In additional, the performance of the ISCST3 model is assessed, by comparing the model prediction with the observed concentration of methane and non-methane hydrocarbons obtained from the monitoring sites. The described model evaluation is based on the comparison of 50 highest daily measured and predicted concentrations of methane and non-methane hydrocarbons. The overall conclusion of this comparison is that the model predictions are in good agreement with the observed data (accuracy range of 60-95%) from the monitoring stations maintained by the Kuwait Environmental Public Authority (EPA). A specific important conclusion of this study is that, there is a need for a proper emission inventory strategy for Kuwait Oil Company (KOC) as means of monitoring and minimizing the impact of methane and non-methane hydrocarbons released because of flaring activities. Key words: Kuwait oilfields, ISCST3 model, flare activities, Kuwait-EPA monitoring station, INTRODUCTION Kuwait is a major oil exporting country and its economy, growth and prosperity is heavily dependent on oil production. KOC is at the heart of the petroleum production in [...]

The hourly air pollutants concentrations were measured continuously by fixed ambient air stations located over the polyclinics in Rabia area in Capital Governorate in the State of Kuwait. The focus of this investigation is to determine the pollution levels of [SO.sub.2], [NO.sub.2] and [O.sub.3] in year 2001 and 2004 to assess the pollution trends. The recorded data are used in identification of the most probable sources of these pollutants. The pollutants levels were compared to evaluate exceedances of Kuwait Environmental Authority Standards. The diurnal patterns were also analyzed for different seasons for two years 2001 and 2004. Weekdays and weekend variation on Ozone pollution has been thoroughly investigated. It is observed that [SO.sub.2], [NO.sub.2] and [O.sub.3] levels were higher in year 2001 as compare to year 2004 due to the application of various mitigation strategies such as relocation of car auction market and transport depot, which were located in the northwestern side of Rabia area with distance of 2 km. The traffic volume all over the country has increased by substantial amount increasing NOx and ozone precursor emissions, which showed the complex balance of [NO.sub.x] and [O.sub.3]. The [O.sub.3] levels of the daytime hours from April to September period has shown high buildup on weekend as compare to weekdays due to the least traffic density on the roads. Key words: Ambient air pollution, weekdays/weekend effect, seasonal variation, ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, INTRODUCTION The air pollution causes persistent smog and health risk to the inhabitants of developing countries such as the state of Kuwait. Since the concept of pollution has existed for [...]

Four major sources of air pollution were identified and modeled using Chemical Mass Balance (CMB) around a residential area. The sources were identified as MAA refinery, downtown area, upstream facilities and main highway road. The sources were analyzed using a series of concentration roses (unfiltered and filtered) executed from the data collected. Data collected included primary and secondary pollutants levels as well as major metrological parameters. The model gave a 91% and 89% match at the receptor point for the identified sources in two different durations. Metrological conditions and chemical fingerprints were adapted into the model to minimize the error and mismatch. Seasonal variation analysis was established by choosing the two months that represent the seasonal distribution in the year. Local and international rules and regulations were cross referenced in order to evaluate the air quality of the area under investigation. A number of violations in terms of ambient levels of primary and secondary pollutants were found and reported in this study. Key words: Metrological, fingerprints, concentration rose, chemical mass balance, INTRODUCTION Fahaheel is considered one of five major areas in the state of Kuwait. It is located on the south of the coastal urban development of Kuwait city. The unique [...]

In Kuwait, most of the power stations use fuel oil as the prime source of energy. The sulphur content (S%) of the fuel used as well as other factors have a direct impact on the ground level concentration of sulphur dioxide ([SO.sub.2]) released by power stations into the atmosphere. The [SO.sub.2] ground level concentration has to meet the environmental standards set by Kuwait Environment Public Authority (KEPA). In this communication we present results obtained using the Industrial Sources Complex Short Term (ISCST3) model to calculate the [SO.sub.2] concentration resulting from existing power stations in Kuwait assuming zero background [SO.sub.2] concentration and entire reliance on Heavy Fuel Oil. 1, 2, 3 and 4S% scenarios were simulated for three emission cycle cases. The computed annual [SO.sub.2] concentrations were always less than KEPA standards for all scenarios. The daily [SO.sub.2] concentrations were within KEPA standards for 1S% but violated KEPA standards for higher S%. In general, the concentrations obtained from the combined hourly and seasonal cycle were the lowest and those obtained from the no cycle case were the highest. The comparison between the results of the three cycles revealed that the violation times cannot be solely attributed to the increase in emissions and the meteorological conditions have to be taken into consideration. Key words: Air pollution, ISCST3, sulphur dioxide, INTRODUCTION In the last century, advancement in industrialisation and medical care has elevated the living standards and increased the population and their life expectancy. This development has resulted in great [...]

In the present study, a survey was carried out for a period of two years from Jan 2005 to Dec 2006 on the prevalence and pathology associated with the cestode Amoebotaenia sphenoides in a sample size of 478 birds collected from different localities of Kashmir valley, India. The overall prevalence rate of the cestode was found to be 6.69% (32/478) and annual occurrence rates of 6.8% (16/233) and 6.5% (16/245) were respectively reported for the 1st and 2nd years of study. Histopathological sections revealed the scolices burrowing deep into the mucosa and at the site of infection, the disintegration of epithelium and glands and infiltration of mononuclear cell was prominent. Keywords: Amoebotaenia sphenoides | free range chicken | Kashmir valley, Introduction Amoebotaenia sphenoides occurs in the domestic fowl and is cosmopolitan in distribution. It is a small tapeworm 2 to 3.5mm in length and about 1mm in width, roughly triangular [...]

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the breast is a very rare neoplasm. It has a biological course of slow progression and absence of lymph node metastasis. In contrast to extra mammary adenoid cystic carcinoma, the prognosis of adenoid cystic carcinoma is excellent This unusual neoplasm of the breast has certain histo-pathological and biological characteristics that differentiates it from more common histologic types. Clinical experience has shown that this entity has a low propensity for local recurrence after excision. We present a case of a 55 year old female who presented to us a with a painless swelling in the upper outer quadrant of left breast. Fine needle aspiration revealed adenoid cystic carcinoma. The patient underwent quadrantectomy. Histopathological examination confirmed adenoid cystic carcinoma of the left breast. Postoperatively the patient received radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The patient is doing well. Keywords: Adenoid, recurrence, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, Table of Contents Abstract Case report Discussion References Case report A 55 year old postmenopausal woman presented with a 2 years history of palpable mass in the left breast. The [...]