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This study derives the climatology of surface currents in the Arabian Gulf using the current velocities obtained from the Copernicus Marine Service (CMEMS) for the period 1993–2019. It reveals distinct temporal and spatial variability in the surface current speeds induced by the variability in surface winds, bathymetry and the changes in the lateral gradients in density. The mean speed of the Iranian Coastal Current (ICC) during summer reaches up to 0.33 m·s−1 along the coast of Iran, while the mean speed of Arabian Coastal Current (ACC) reaches up to 0.26 m·s−1 along the coast of Saudi Arabia. We found the occurrence of 2 major and 1 minor cyclonic eddies in the annual, seasonal and monthly climatology, while these eddies are more prevalent during summer. The major cyclonic eddy in the central Gulf develops in May and persists till November with varying patterns, and decays in December. The climatological mean current speeds are higher during summer compared to winter, due to the seasonal changes in thickness of the surface layer by the stratification/destratification processes. The highest mean current speeds along the coast of Qatar are found in June and the lowest in winter months. The highest annual, monthly and seasonal mean current speeds are observed along the north and northeast coast of Qatar, while the lowest are observed along the west coast and southeast coast of Qatar. Interannual variability in surface current speeds is evident, with notable links with the El Niño–Southern Oscillations (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). The annual mean current speeds show positive trends, of the order of 0.06–0.14 cm·s−1·year−1 in the offshore regions and 0.05–0.24 cm·s−1·year−1 in the nearshore regions, wherein the highest positive trend is observed off Ras Laffan and the lowest off Dukhan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first faunal analysis of the ants (Formicidae) of the Kingdom of Bahrain (Bahrain), an island nation in the Arabian Gulf. We document a total of 35 ant species based on published, unpublished and new specimen records, including 26 presumed native species and nine non-native tramp species. The native fauna was predominantly of Palaearctic origin, with a few Afrotropical species. A new species of the genus Lepisiota Santschi, 1926, L. bahrainensissp. n., is described and illustrated based on the worker caste. Habitat suitability modelling of the ant fauna of Bahrain was generated using a total of 157 recorded points against the panel of 19 bioclimatic factors. We used Maxent software to generate the final map which indicates a significantly high and excellent habitat suitability of species on the northern part of the country and high suitability on the eastern coasts. Our results show that the mean temperature of the driest season is the most effective parameter in modelling the distribution, and we present interpretations of the very low habitat suitability in the extremely arid desert in the southern regions of the main island. Finally, we present ecological and biological remarks and distribution maps for each species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is primarily conceptual, presenting the notion of a polyphonic model as a tool for analyzing the interactions of diverse stakeholder voices in generating corporate social responsibility (CSR) narratives and practices. Design/methodology/approach: The theoretical basis for this model is Bakhtin's notions of voice, polyphony, dialogic relations and placement within dialogue. Findings: To demonstrate possible applications of the model, this study considers CSR narratives that are emerging from some countries of the Arabian Gulf, given that this region's historical trajectory and socio-political context differ substantially from those of more widely studied geopolitical contexts. This application reveals valuable use of the model. Originality/value: The contribution of this paper is its pioneering development of a polyphonic model that serves to reveal the diverse voices that shape CSR narratives. This provides a tool particularly useful for investigating the creation of CSR narratives in less researched organizational and national contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Arabian Gulf, a semi-enclosed basin in the Middle East, connects to the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Hormuz and is surrounded by seven arid countries. This study examines the water cycle of the Gulf and its surrounding areas using data from the GRACE and GRACE Follow-On missions, along with ERA5 atmospheric reanalysis data, from 05/2002 to 05/2017 and from 07/2018 to 12/2023. Our findings reveal a persistent water deficit due to high evaporation rates, averaging 370 ± 3 km3/year, greatly surpassing precipitation, which accounts for only 15% of the evaporative loss. Continental runoff provides one-fifth of the needed water, while the remaining deficit, approximately 274 ± 10 km3/year, is balanced by net inflow of saltwater from the Indian Ocean. Seasonal variations show the lowest net inflow of 26 ± 49 km3/year in March and the highest of 586 ± 53 km3/year in November, driven by net evaporation, continental input, and changes in the Gulf's water budget. This study highlights the complex hydrological dynamics influenced by climate patterns and provides a baseline for future research in the region, which will be needed to quantify the expected changes in the hydrological cycle due to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Omran for Social Sciences is the property of Arab Center for Research & Policy Studies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The pearl oyster (Pinctada radiata), a marine species native to the Arabian Gulf in the Indian Ocean is common in Qatari waters where it comprises 95% of pearl oyster stocks found naturally there. P. radiata therefore, has been used extensively as a natural bio-indicator for monitoring pollution in the Arabian Gulf. Sustainability of P. radiata wild stocks are now significantly threatened in the Arabian Gulf region as a result of both natural (e.g. extreme salinity, high temperatures, high evaporation rates and low flushing rates) and anthropogenic factors (e.g. rapid development of coastline areas, overfishing and heavy exploitation). Long term sustainability and conservation of this local resource in the Arabian Gulf has therefore become a serious issue, but their survival can significantly contribute to maintenance of healthy marine ecosystems across the region. The current study assessed natural levels and patterns of genetic variation in Arabian Gulf populations of the native pearl oyster, P. radiata to define wild population structure. Potential intrinsic (e.g. pelagic larval phase and life history traits) and extrinsic factors (e.g. water current, wave action, water temperature and prevailing wind direction) that could influence wild population structure were investigated. MtDNA (COI) sequences were used here to define levels and patterns of genetic diversity within and among three sample sites in Qatar territorial waters. Results of the statistical analysis that partitioned variation (AMOVA) were significant (P=0.0234) and showed that all variation was present within P. radiata sampled sites (94.61%) and differentiation among sites was relatively low (5.39%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two smallest size classes of phytoplankton, namely, nano- and picophytoplankton, can play an important role in marine primary production, particularly in warm and nutrient-poor waters. The Arabian Gulf, with its high temperatures, could provide good growth conditions for these two size classes; however, so far, phytoplankton research in the Arabian Gulf has largely focussed on the biggest size class, microphytoplankton. This study presents data on the annual cycle of chlorophyll- a (Chl- a) at three stations in Saudi Arabian waters of the Arabian Gulf, focussing on the contribution of the three phytoplankton size classes to total Chl- a , and identifies environmental parameters affecting these contributions. Whereas dominance of nanophytoplankton was observed during summer, highest contributions of picophytoplankton were found during winter and spring. A close link between nano- and microphytoplankton was noted on the basis of optimum correlation models. The models for both size fractions included photosynthetically active radiation, salinity and phosphate concentration, but with opposing algebraic signs in the two models. By contrast, picophytoplankton was negatively correlated with temperature, indicating that the contribution of this size class could decrease under a future climate-change scenario in the Arabian Gulf. This study reports on the contribution of three phytoplankton size classes to the total chlorophyll- a (Chl- a) concentration at three coastal stations in the Arabian Gulf. It included data on the seasonal cycle for total chlorophyll a , as well as for the three size classes, and indicated physicochemical parameters potentially driving these cycles. It was found that micro- and nanophytoplankton Chl- a are correlated to a similar set of physicochemical parameters, whereas picophytoplankton Chl- a has a distinctly different correlation model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The otolith mass asymmetry of the fish species Pampus candidus (Cuvier, 1833) was assessed. The findings indicated a significant level of asymmetry comparison with similar studies on other fish species. The level of asymmetry was shown to increase with the size of the fish, where the utmost estimate of the otolith weight irregularity was obtained. The detected otolith asymmetry may be linked to pollutants in the sampling area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangrove ecotourism is gaining immense popularity in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as a neoliberal conservation tool, and it has contributed significantly to the growth of the tourism sector in the region over the past two decades. However, there is no comprehensive review on the full extent of mangrove ecotourism activities and the contribution to mangrove conservation/restoration and economic growth in the region. A systematic literature review approach was used to examine the evolution of mangrove ecotourism in the GCC countries from 2010 to 2023. A total of 55 articles were retrieved from the Google and Google Scholar search engines, and the Scopus and Web of Science databases were incorporated. We synthesized the results and provided perspectives on the following: (1) the geographical and temporal distribution of studies in relation to mangrove extent, (2) key sites, attractions, and values for mangrove ecotourism activities, (3) the positive and negative impacts of mangrove ecotourism, and (4) existing mangrove conservation and restoration initiatives for the growth of mangrove ecotourism in the GCC countries. The findings underscore the significance of mangrove ecotourism in supporting economic development, protecting coastal ecosystems, and sustaining local livelihoods in the GCC countries. However, this study highlights the crucial need for sustainable coastal environmental management through integrated land use planning and zoning to address the negative impacts of anthropogenic pressures on mangrove ecosystems and ecotourism attractions. The use of remote sensing tools is invaluable in the monitoring of mangrove ecosystems and associated ecotourism impacts for informing evidence-based conservation and restoration management approaches. Thus, harnessing mangrove ecotourism opportunities can help the GCC countries with balancing economic growth, coastal environmental sustainability, and community well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a product of qualitative, ethnographic fieldwork which looked at interactions between Emirati people and camels. Both in traditional Bedu contexts and among contemporary breeders/riders/racers in the Arabian Gulf, camels have been useful to people as an economic resource or symbolic tool, but they have also been agents creating paths for human cultural activity. They are the lens through which people observe their society, yet they are also perceived as beings with lifeworlds of their own. In a humanizing effort they can represent what is inherently cultural, but they can also be seen as separate beings that inform people's worldviews. Recognizing animals' agency, observing the obliteration of subject–object boundaries in animal-centric cultures requires fundamental ontological revisions. This paper aims to propose a paradigm useful for multispecies ethnography studies, rooted in exploring entanglements between anthropological phenomenology and object-oriented ontology. Appreciating the central roles of experience, embodiment, and senses in human connections with animals make phenomenology a potent analytical framework for such studies. Ontologically speaking, the essence of interactions between camels and their Emirati aficionados can represent the nature of people's being-in-the-world, shaping their mental universe and cognitive processes. The main contributions of the research include using empirical evidence to address some of the recurring criticisms of object-oriented ontology and positioning these analyses within the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council countries) context, which has rarely been done before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the present status and decadal variability of element distributions in the marine sediments off Doha, on the east coast of Qatar. Twenty elements were considered from 11 sediment sampling stations and 3 dust sampling stations by grouping them into major elements, toxic elements, and other trace elements. The results show elevated concentrations of certain toxic and trace elements, including Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, V, Zn, Mg, and Ti, in the nearshore region, primarily influenced by the settling of dissolved elements under weak hydrodynamic circulations in the Doha Bay. The relatively higher currents in offshore enable quick advection and dispersion of the elements. On the other hand, the dust deposits have caused significant contributions to the Al, As, Mg, Ca, Sr, Fe, Zn, and Cd concentrations. Decadal variability is evident in element concentrations, which are linked to the urbanisation of the capital city in the State of Qatar. The Cu, Ni, V, Zn, and Cd concentrations indicate a notable increase in recent years compared to the last two decades, with values of about 20.7, 17.9, 25.0, 25.9, 0.66 ppm in 2022. In contrast, a few other elements fluctuate between the decades/years. The results pointed out the increased elemental concentrations in the bay due to the vast expansion of infrastructure facilities in the vicinity of Doha Bay in recent years. The Geoaccumulation Index resulted in a slight pollution of Cd, while other elements are unpolluted. The Degree of Contamination reveals low degree of contamination of sediments, and the Pollution Load Index illustrates no significant pollution in the sediments off Doha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article attempts to study the nature of the political relations between Britain and its colony of Sharjah in the Arabian Gulf during the military conflict between Britain and its allies on the one hand and Germany and its allies on the other during World War II. The researcher makes use of documents and correspondence between the rulers of Sharjah and Britain and between the Arabian Gulf Residency and its rulers. This correspondence highlight Britain's concern about Arab support in the Gulf for its German enemy. It also highlights the British aim of persuading those rulers to join them in the war effort. This indicates the importance of the political position of the rulers of the Arabian Gulf states during that era of military conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purple-spotted bigeyes Priacanthus tayenus Richardson (Priacanthidae) and bartail flathead Platycephalus indicus (Linnaeus) (Platycephalidae) were collected from the Arabian Gulf and examined for species of Monogenoidea (Polyonchoinea) from February to December 2020. Diplectanum robustitubum Wu & Li, 2003 and an undescribed species of Platycephalotrema Kritsky & Nitta, 2019 were recovered from the gill lamellae of these hosts, respectively. Diplectanum robustitubum from Iraq was redescribed and transferred to Oliveriplectanum Domingues & Boeger, 2008 (Diplectanidae) as Oliveriplectanum robustitubum (Wu & Li, 2003) n. comb. Platycephalotrema parile n. sp. (Dactylogyridae) from Iraq and Kuwait was described and differentiated from the similar species, Haliotrema indicum Tripathi, 1959, Platycephalotrema ogawai Kritsky & Nitta, 2019, and Platycephalotrema platycephali (Yin & Sproston, 1948) Kritsky & Nitta, 2019, based primarily on the comparative morphologies of the vaginal sclerites. Haliotrema indicum was transferred to Platycephalotrema as Platycephalotrema indicum (Tripathi, 1959) n. comb. and Haliotrema swatowense Yao, Wang, Xia, & Chen, 1998 was considered a junior subjective synonym of P. indicum. The finding of O. robustitubum in the Arabian Gulf represents a new geographic record for the species. Background: The present paper represents the third installment concerning the monogenoids collected during surveys to explore their diversity on the marine and freshwater fishes of Iraq. Previous installments on the monogenoids emanating from the surveys included the dactylogyrid and gyrodactylid species parasitizing mugilid fishes. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to further document the diversity of monogenoids infecting the fishes of Iraq. Methods: Marine fishes were necropsied for parasites, and standard procedures for collecting, mounting, drawing, and measuring of monogenoids were employed. Results: Oliveriplectanum robustitubum n. comb. (Diplectanidae) and Platycephalotrema parile n. sp. (Dactylogyridae) were collected. The occurrence of O. robustitubum in the Arabian Gulf represented a new locality record for the species. Conclusion: The recorded presence of O. robustitubum and P. parile n. sp. suggests that the diversity of monogenoids in Iraq is under estimated in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distributive political economy of contemporary Arab Oman yields a status‐differentiated social infrastructure composed of elites who distribute and non‐elites who, in many ways, rely on those distributions. The construction of communicative links within social infrastructures via the performance of sung poetry depends on the phaticity of the link being activated. For Omani poets, different linguistic performance genres telescope the vast social distance between elites who listen and non‐elites who sing in different ways and with different results. Omani poets from the rural north of the country conduct cross‐class social contact—conceptually "vertical" social infrastructural movement—by way of two contrasting genres of Arabic praise poetry: a one‐off request or statement, the solo qasida, and a recognitive, addressive choral form that reciprocally establishes and evaluates such vertical relationships, the 'āzī. I argue that the metapragmatic distinctions that Omani poets draw between these two genres reveal a subtle phatic ideology that allows certain modes of communicative contact to index deeper, cross‐class social ties within grand public performances, while simultaneously reinforcing tacit norms of elite avoidance of non‐elites in everyday social intercourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Images of improperly-discarded waste offer a case for examining the broader politics of “pristine nature.” As a global visual register in which the environment is depicted without human impact, an historicization of pristine nature reveals how it was enregistered through the Romantic and Transcendental movements as well as colonial ideologies of the wilderness. Informed by fieldwork in Oman and 300 Instagram posts collected between 2021–23, “untouched nature” and the “self-in-nature” are identified as two genres of pristine nature. Yet their citation in Oman spurs a question: does history always implicate a contemporary sign? The identification of a third genre, “anti-litter,” pursues this question by investigating what happens when the camera is turned upon trash. Despite the association of anti-litter with sustainability, the genre was similarly enregistered through a complicated history. Its citation in Oman, however, demonstrates that actors wield genres in response to sociocultural and political-economic context, suggesting the grounds from which a semiotics of sustainability might emerge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I examine the process of migrant subject-making prior to departure based on the experiences of Sri Lankan women aspiring to become migrant domestic workers (MDWs) in the Arabian Gulf. Within a context of commodified, privatized and foreignized care migration regimes, women from developing countries have become "ideal" maids: cheap, docile and hardworking, they satisfy the growing social reproductive needs of more affluent countries. This image of the "ideal" MDW is re/produced, maintained and challenged through technologies of subject-making across the circuits of migration. In a combined public–private, local–transnational, and formal–informal thrust towards subject-making, different actors—including MDWs themselves—use different pre-departure technologies in a sociology of markets. Thus, passengers are carved out even before potential MDWs leave their home country; these passengers reflect different constructions, embodiments and connotations of "ideal" migrant subjects, where labour power is re/produced and exploited in the most intimate sphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The otolith mass asymmetry of the fish species Pampus candidus was assessed. The findings indicated a significant level of asymmetry comparison with similar studies on other fish species. The level of asymmetry was shown to increase with the size of the fish, where the utmost estimate of the otolith weight irregularity was obtained. The detected otolith asymmetry may be linked to pollutants in the sampling area.

The contribution of surface and lateral forcing to the observed Arabian Gulf warming trend is studied based on the results of a high-resolution (1/100°, 60 vertical layers) MIT general circulation model (MITgcm) covering the period 1993-2021. The model validation against available observations reveals that the simulation satisfactorily reproduces the main features of the Arabian Gulf's dynamics and their variability. We show that the heat content of the Arabian Gulf generally follows the reported variability of sea surface temperature, with significant increasing trends of 0.1 x 107 J m-3 and 0.2°C per decade. The interannual variability of the heat content is dominated by the surface heat fluxes, while the long-term warming of the basin is primarily driven by lateral fluxes. The analyses of the heat exchanges through the Strait of Hormuz indicate a pronounced upward trend in the transported heat toward the Arabian Gulf, which is associated with an increase in both the volume and temperature of the exchanged waters. Considering the inflow and outflow in the Strait separately, the temperature increase is more prominent in the inflowing waters; however, the dominant factor driving the rising trend in heat content exchanges is the increase in the volume of waters being exchanged. This implies that the observed warming of the Arabian Gulf during the investigated period is directly related to the acceleration of its overturning circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Special Education & Rehabilitation (2314-8608) is the property of Association of Arab Universities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Bleaching events impact coral reef functionality and carbonate budget dynamics, which is reflected in reduced reef framework accretion, hindering reef ability to keep pace with sea-level rise projections. Reefs in the Arabian Gulf exist in harsh environmental conditions with seasonal temperatures ranging between 16 and 36 °C. Despite the high thermal thresholds (~ 35 °C) of corals in this region, extensive bleaching and high coral mortality have been reported regionally in 2017. We quantify reef carbonate budgets at a near shore and an offshore reef site in Bahrain pre-bleaching in May 2017 and post-bleaching in May 2018 to assess the impacts of the 2017 severe bleaching event on the budgetary state. Results indicate an overall decrease in hard coral cover from 14.2 ± 5.5 to 8.5 ± 1.4% and a decline in the net carbonate budget state from 3.6 ± 2.2 to 0.3 ± 0.3 kg CaCO3 m−2 year−1 at the shallow nearshore Fasht Al Adhm reef indicating a shift from a positive budgetary state to net neutral, while the deeper offshore Reef Bul Thamah has increased positively from 3.7 ± 1.2 to 4.2 ± 0.6 kg CaCO3 m−2 year−1. We attribute the decline in the nearshore reef to the bleaching event which took place between July and October 2017, resulting in high coral mortality rates and subsequent reduced framework carbonate production. Predicted warming trends present a threat to the structural integrity of shallow Bahraini reefs, compromising their ability to keep pace with future sea-level rise projections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pelagic tunicates (order Salpida) have the highest filtration rates among filter feeding marine zooplankton. This is the first-ever in situ observation of the salp, Pegea confoederata (Forskål, 1775), in northwestern Arabian Gulf (NWAG), off Kuwait. Swarms of P. confoederata with chain-like blastozooids (~1 m) and solitary oozoids were observed in offshore coral reef habitats. Coastal fishes, Diplodus sargus kotschyi and Abudefdef vaigaiensis, were observed feeding on P. confoederata tests. In Kuwait, higher summer density of phytoplankton (<20 μm) supports P. confoederata aggregation. Concerted studies on salps in the Arabian Gulf may offer insights into pelagic carbon cycling pathways and carbon sequestration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concrete has experienced significant improvements in recent decades, resulting in lower Portland cement consumption as well as a lower carbon footprint through CO2 injection while keeping comparable fresh, mechanical, and durability performance. The use of CO2 injection in concrete (CarbonCure) in the United States and Canada has enabled advances such as green concrete under normal and severe conditions. While incorporating novel developments, this study focuses on CarbonCure concrete modification in the extreme weather of the Arabian Gulf region. This is a relatively new option that has entered the field in the Middle East. The materials, process, and fresh and hardened properties of the CarbonCure concrete made and field cured in the Arabian Gulf region will be considered here and evaluated in detail. Along with adding CO2 to the mix, the cementitious material was lowered without impacting the quality or performance of the structural concrete. The developed green mix included up to 0.2% CO2 by mass of cementitious material. Because of the benefit of early carbonation, which strengthened the concrete product even with less cementitious material, this green concrete mix retained a 28% increase in slump compared to the standard concrete mix without CO2, a 28-day compressive strength of 48 MPa, low water absorption of 1.3%, and resistance to aggressive chemicals, all within the limits defined by the standard codes. Due to these benefits, and because this green concrete was tested against the severe coastal climate, it would be ideal for maritime applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article traces the coffee bean trade from its spread in central Arabia, focusing particularly on two groups of merchants in al-Qasim. The first group includes those who migrated and settled in countries of the Arabian Gulf, Iraq, India, or elsewhere and engaged in the trade in food, including in coffee. They amassed wealth and established large trading networks in the Hijaz, the Gulf coasts, Iraq, and India. The second group comprises traders who traveled from al-Qasim to the ports of the Arabian Gulf to purchase foodstuffs and export them to al-Qasim and other regions of central Arabia. The article emphasizes the strong relationships among these traders, how they were linked by the coffee trade, and how this trade also symbolized the connection between Najd and the wider world, contributing to its integration into the global economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kuwait's economy, predominantly driven by oil revenues, is at a transformative juncture with the exploration of the blue economy, which emphasizes marine and maritime resources. This study examines the viability of transitioning towards the blue economy, focusing on the government's commitment and the inherent challenges. Through a combination of literature review and expert interviews, the research unveils insights into the governmental strategies, the prevalence of corruption, inter-party conflicts, and maritime security concerns. While the blue economy emerges as a viable alternative, the study argues that its reliance alone may not sufficiently replace oil revenues. The findings advocate for a strategic integration of the blue economy, highlighting its potential to contribute to Kuwait's economic diversification and sustainability.

The Arabian Gulf, a semi-enclosed basin in the Middle East, connects to the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Hormuz and is surrounded by seven arid countries. This study examines the water cycle of the Gulf and its surrounding areas using data from the GRACE and GRACE Follow-On missions, along with ERA5 atmospheric reanalysis data, from 05/2002 to 05/2017 and from 07/2018 to 12/2023. Our findings reveal a persistent water deficit due to high evaporation rates, averaging 370 ± 3 km3/year, greatly surpassing precipitation, which accounts for only 15% of the evaporative loss. Continental runoff provides one-fifth of the needed water, while the remaining deficit, approximately 274 ± 10 km3/year, is balanced by net inflow of saltwater from the Indian Ocean. Seasonal variations show the lowest net inflow of 26 ± 49 km3/year in March and the highest of 586 ± 53 km3/year in November, driven by net evaporation, continental input, and changes in the Gulf’s water budget. This study highlights the complex hydrological dynamics influenced by climate patterns and provides a baseline for future research in the region, which will be needed to quantify the expected changes in the hydrological cycle due to climate change.

Mangrove ecotourism is gaining immense popularity in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries as a neoliberal conservation tool, and it has contributed significantly to the growth of the tourism sector in the region over the past two decades. However, there is no comprehensive review on the full extent of mangrove ecotourism activities and the contribution to mangrove conservation/restoration and economic growth in the region. A systematic literature review approach was used to examine the evolution of mangrove ecotourism in the GCC countries from 2010 to 2023. A total of 55 articles were retrieved from the Google and Google Scholar search engines, and the Scopus and Web of Science databases were incorporated. We synthesized the results and provided perspectives on the following: (1) the geographical and temporal distribution of studies in relation to mangrove extent, (2) key sites, attractions, and values for mangrove ecotourism activities, (3) the positive and negative impacts of mangrove ecotourism, and (4) existing mangrove conservation and restoration initiatives for the growth of mangrove ecotourism in the GCC countries. The findings underscore the significance of mangrove ecotourism in supporting economic development, protecting coastal ecosystems, and sustaining local livelihoods in the GCC countries. However, this study highlights the crucial need for sustainable coastal environmental management through integrated land use planning and zoning to address the negative impacts of anthropogenic pressures on mangrove ecosystems and ecotourism attractions. The use of remote sensing tools is invaluable in the monitoring of mangrove ecosystems and associated ecotourism impacts for informing evidence-based conservation and restoration management approaches. Thus, harnessing mangrove ecotourism opportunities can help the GCC countries with balancing economic growth, coastal environmental sustainability, and community well-being.

The general characteristics of tidal currents in the entrance of the Khor Abdullah at Iraq marine water, located at the northwest tip of the Arabian Gulf, were studied based on realistic current measurements. The velocity measurements used in this study extended to about one year, which was never previously available in this vital region of the Arabian Gulf. The results illustrated that this area is characterized by strong currents exceeding 1 m/s during both ebb and flood tides, driven by local water level variations. The maximum currents recorded during the study period were 1.65 and 1.36 m/s at the ebb and flood tides, respectively. Additionally, the monthly averages of ebb currents are higher than those of flood currents. The harmonic analysis results revealed that the tidal effect explained approximately 98% of the variation in water currents, with the remaining percentage due to residual currents. Among the 35 tidal components used in harmonic analysis, the M2 component was the main contributor to tidal currents variation in the area, followed by S2, K1, N2, and O1. The residual current seems to have a low effect on the currents variations in the area, with maximum values not exceeding 0.0677 and 0.058 m/s during the ebb and flood tides, respectively. The results obtained give a general view of the tidal current behavior and could be beneficial for several aspects of marine and coastal engineering as well as shipping and navigation activities in this region.

Geographically dissimilar aquatic ecosystems from similar origin promote our comprehensive understanding of the role of abiotic factors in the distribution of biodiversity from one extreme, and they provide outstanding examples of convergent evolution in biological diversity on the other extreme. A new approach to monitoring and management of fisheries and marine ecosystems is required. Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration are both crucial environmental variables that have significant impacts on marine ecosystems, particularly for fishes and overall aquatic life. These factors play important roles in shaping the health, distribution, behavior, and productivity of marine organisms. In the current study, Modis-aqua daily SST and Chl-a derived data from 2002 to 2022 were loaded into MATLAB, analyzed, and compared between the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea (Egyptian territory). Additionally, the catch of the family Lutjanidae (snapper fish) was recorded in 2002 to determine the distribution of napper fish species and compare production (based on data available from 2002 to 2022) in relation to SST and Chl-a variabilities. According to the current study, Chl-a in the Arabian Gulf showed narrow fluctuations during the winter and spring months, but higher than the Red Sea, and had a significant increase in sea surface temperature (SST) throughout the summer compared to the Red Sea. Spatial and temporal interaction between the means of Chl-a and SST was significantly different (P < 0.01). On the other hand, the results showed that different thermal stresses were experienced by the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea, as shown by the total positive SST anomaly and by events occurring in different trends. Both the total catch of lutjanid snappers and the species identified by DNA barcoding varied significantly between the two geographical regions. The current work suggests using large-scale, fisheries-independent data to map the main gradients in marine fish community and species abundance and forecast their future distribution in connection to climate change.

The coastal area between Al-Khafji and Al-Jubail, Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia is characterized by natural and artificial rocky shores, which inhabited by intensive dwellers. The present work aimed to shed light on the taxonomy, distribution, and environmental factors affecting the abundance of the invertebrate borers and encrusters in the study area. A total of 614 specimens of bivalve, gastropod, coral, and lithified rocky shores were collected from 13 sites. Eighteen ichnospecies of 8 ichnogenera were identified and illustrated. These traces were produced by clionid sponges (31.75%), endolithic bivalves (26.19%), naticid gastropods (24.60%), polychaete annelids (15.08%), acrothoracican barnacles (1.85%), and vermitid gastropods (0.53). The rocky shore dwellers act as hard substrate for colonization by serpulids, barnacles, bryozoans, and other cemented invertebrates. Most of the thick invertebrates and lithified rocky grounds were bioeroded by endolithic bivalves, clionaid sponges, polychaete annelids, and acrothoracican barnacles, while the thin walled invertebrate dwellers were bioeroded by naticid gastropods and clionaid sponges. Barnacles, serpulid worms and some molluscs were intensively covered the rocky shore blocks and solid rubbish in intertidal area facing wave action to comb microscopic food from the water.

The contribution of surface and lateral forcing to the observed Arabian Gulf warming trend is studied based on the results of a high-resolution (1/100°, 60 vertical layers) MIT general circulation model (MITgcm) covering the period 1993–2021. The model validation against available observations reveals that the simulation satisfactorily reproduces the main features of the Arabian Gulf’s dynamics and their variability. We show that the heat content of the Arabian Gulf generally follows the reported variability of sea surface temperature, with significant increasing trends of 0.1 × 107 J m−3 and 0.2°C per decade. The interannual variability of the heat content is dominated by the surface heat fluxes, while the long-term warming of the basin is primarily driven by lateral fluxes. The analyses of the heat exchanges through the Strait of Hormuz indicate a pronounced upward trend in the transported heat toward the Arabian Gulf, which is associated with an increase in both the volume and temperature of the exchanged waters. Considering the inflow and outflow in the Strait separately, the temperature increase is more prominent in the inflowing waters; however, the dominant factor driving the rising trend in heat content exchanges is the increase in the volume of waters being exchanged. This implies that the observed warming of the Arabian Gulf during the investigated period is directly related to the acceleration of its overturning circulation.

The present work deals with establishing the contents and pollution of heavy metals in samples collected from Ras Tanura along the Arabian Gulf. Using Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer ICPE-9820, the concentrations of metals have been measured. For soil samples the range values of metals concentrations (mg/kg) were: Cd (0.87–107), Co (0.32–0.72), Cr (0.27–4.61), Ni (0.01–3.92), Pb (0.18–3.26), Zn (0.23–3.46) and Zr (0.07–0.99). While in marine sediment samples, the range values of concentrations (mg/kg) were: 0.48–0.64 for Co, 1.28–4.21 for Cr, 21.8–80.4 for Cd, 1.28–2.62 for Ni, 1.46–2.09 for Pb, 0.42–1.32 for Zn and 0.59–0.82 for Zr. The contamination factor of metals in marine sediments was also calculated. The heavy metal concentrations in samples were within the acceptable standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Severe environmental conditions can have a diverse impact on marine microorganisms, including bacteria. This can have an inevitable impact on the biofouling of membrane-based desalination plants. In this work, we have utilized indicator bacteria such as total coliform, fecal coliform, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as 16S rRNA sequencing, to investigate the impact of environmental conditions and spatial variations on the diversity of bacterial communities in the coastal waters and sediments from selected sites in Qatar. The concentration levels of indicator bacteria were affected by increasing temperatures and pH, and by decreasing salinity of seawater samples. Diversity indices and the molecular phylogeny demonstrated that Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria were the dominant phyla in all locations. The most abundant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) at the family level were from Flavobacteriaceae (27.07%, 4.31%) and Rhodobacteraceae (22.51%, 9.86%) in seawater and sediment, respectively. Alphaproteobacteria (33.87%, 16.82%), Flavobacteria (30.68%, 5.84%), and Gammaproteobacteria (20.35%, 12.45%) were abundant at the species level in both seawater and sediment, while Clostridia (13.72%) was abundant in sediment only. The results suggest that sediment can act as a reservoir for indicator bacteria, with higher diversity and lower abundance compared to seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creating an efficient model for predicting sea level fluctuations is essential for climate change research. This study examined the effectiveness of utilizing Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), particularly the recurrent network approach. ANNs were chosen for their capacity to learn from extensive and intricate data and their ability to handle nonlinear correlations. The Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) algorithm was employed to fill data gaps and predict future sea level records in the Arabian Gulf, especially in Mina Salman. The results were promising, with LSTM successfully filling a 6-year data gap while maintaining low Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) values. The first phase of the model yielded a RMSE value of 63.4 mm and a MAPE value of 3.14%. The same approach was used to retrain the model with a mix of real and predicted values, preserving historical patterns and yearly rates with an RMSE of 66.5 mm and a MAPE of 3.07%. These findings highlight LSTM's advantages when considering only historical information for predicting the future sea level changes. The research provides valuable insights into predicting sea level changes in regions with limited field data, such as the Arabian Gulf, and emphasizes the potential for further research to enhance sea level prediction models through improved optimization techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aimed to assess the heavy metals environmental impact and determine the consequent human health risks in the highly anthropized and rapidly expanding area of Al-Khafji in Arabian Gulf. Specifically, the study evaluated the health risks in adults and children caused by carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic metals through skin contact pathway. The pollution indices, including the Soil Pollution Index (SPI), Contamination Degree (CD), and Pollution Load Index (PLI), were calculated for all collected sediments, indicating low or locally moderate contamination levels. The potential non-carcinogenic risk resulting from dermal exposure to single or multi-metal contamination was found to be within the acceptable safe limit for both adults and children. The highest levels of Chronic Daily Intake (CDI) were recorded for Fe (1.02E-05 for adults and 4.75E-05 for children), and the highest Hazardous Risk Index (HRI) was observed for As (1.48E03 for adults and 6.92E03 for children). Likewise, the Lifetime Cancer Risk (LCR) for adults and children associated with As and Cr indicated no current potential carcinogenic health risks, with the highest LCR levels being 6.87E-07 and 3.2E-06, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pearl oyster Pinctada radiata is an iconic species in the Arabian Gulf, which is one of the ecosystems most at risk in the world because of the multiple sources of pollution it faces. Alongside chemical pollution, the Gulf is ranked first with regard to noise and light pollution, and pearl oyster populations are at risk. The impact of these latter types of pollution on marine invertebrates is still poorly known. We used the difference in noise and brightness that can exist between a very quiet room without artificial lighting and a standard laboratory room equipped with a standard aquarium as a testbed to explore the possible impact of noise and light pollution on the behavioral and biological traits of Pinctada radiata without added chemical exposure. During an experiment that lasted 2.5 months, we analyzed their grouping behavior, valve activity, biological rhythm, growth rate and spawning activity. In the standard aquarium kept in the laboratory room, the oysters dispersed instead of regrouping as in their natural environment, regrouping which was observed in the quiet room. They stayed closed longer, the opening amplitude of their valves was systematically lower, and in the closed position, they squeezed their valves more tightly when subjected to noise and light pollution. Their daily opening rhythm was strongly structured by switching the electric light on and off, and females showed significantly less egg-laying behavior. In conclusion, seemingly innocuous human activities can lead to very significant alterations in pearl oyster behavior. We propose that it could have significant effects on populations and ecosystems.

A total of 886 valves of the pearl oyster Pinctada were collected from 12 sites in Al-Uqair beach along the Saudi Arabian Gulf coast in January 2021 in order to document their taphonomic signatures. Thirteen ichnospecies of 5 ichnogenera were identified and illustrated. These traces were produced by clionid sponges (Entobia cretacea, E. ovula, E. geometrica, E. laquea, E. cateniformis, Entobia isp.), durophagous drillers (Oichnus paraboloides, O. ovalis, O. simplex, and Oichnus isp.), traces of vermetid gastropods (Renichnus isp.) polychaete annelids (Caulostrepsis isp.) and barnacle attachment scars (Anellusichnus circularis). The Pinctada shells act as hard substrate for colonization by serpulid worm, Spirorbis sp., bryozoans, barnacles, and other bivalves. Ichnogenus Oichnus was the most abundant (53.73%), followed by Entobia (44.58%), Anellusichnus (0.51%), Caulostrepsis (0.34%), and Renichnus (0.84%). The thin-shelled and smooth skeletons of Pinctada were preferable for the abundant durophagous drillers (Oichnus traces) and clionid sponges (Entobia traces) during the lifetime of the pinctadas, in contrast to endolithic bivalves (Gastrochaenolites borings) which need thicker seashells for the settlement. Occurrence of different encrusters and bioeroders on the internal surfaces of many pinctadas confirmed the postmortem origin of the signatures. Disarticulation, fragmentation, and abrasion among the collected pinctadas might be attributed to their mode of life as epifaunal byssate, filter-feeder bivalves in the shallow littoral and sublittoral zones of the continental shelf under strong currents conditions.

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Developing new antibiotics is a critical area of research that grows as a result of the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance. Scientists search for new antibiotics by screening natural sources such as soil, plants, and marine environments. One of the iconic plants in the marine environment is the mangrove, which is a source of honeybee propolis. Propolis collected from the grey mangrove Avicennia marina on Tarout Island, the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, was used to evaluate antibacterial activities against three pathogenic bacteria: gram-negative Enterobacter cloacae (RCMB 001(1) ATCC® 23355TM), gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (clinical isolate), and Streptococcus mutans Clark (RCMB 017(1) ATCC® 25175TM). The results indicate the effectiveness of the methanolic extract of such propolis. The chemical composition of this extract was analyzed using LC-MS, and four compounds were identified (alginic acid, carrageenan, fucoxanthin, cycloeudesmol). Their modes of action were evaluated against bacterial cell walls. Bacterial transpeptidase and transglycosylase on the surface are basic for cell divider amalgamation, and numerous antimicrobials have been created to target these compounds. Molecular docking was employed to predict the interactions of four compounds and S. aureus to predict interaction. Alginic acid was found to be the best interaction with a score of −7.44 Kcal/mol with distance ranges between 2.86 and 3.64 and RMSD refined below 2 Å. Carrageenan with −6.64 Kcal/mol and a distance of 3.05 and 2.87 came second. Then, fucoxanthin with −6.57 Kcal/mol and a distance of 1.4. Finally, cycloeudesmol with a score of −4.6 Kcal/mol and a distance of 2.87 showed the least activity. The first three compounds interacted effectively and could form very promising chemicals that could be used one day against pathogenic bacteria in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban expansion along the coastal sites is one of the major causes of the deterioration of mangrove habitats. This study aimed to report the current status of different mangrove environments in Saudi Arabia. Mangrove soil and sediment–water samples were collected from the coasts of the Arabian Gulf and the Red Sea for their physical, chemical, and heavy metal analysis. The mean values (n = 42) of heavy metals in the soil showed that Fe (2200 ppm) > Mn (91.9 ppm) > Zn (66.11 ppm) > Cr (62.40 ppm) > Ni (33.64 ppm) > Cu (31.06 ppm) > Pb (30.69 ppm) > Co (27.06 ppm). While the mean values (n = 15) of heavy metals in the sediment–water were as follows; Cr (0.1978 ppm) > Fe (0.1016 ppm) > Pb (0.0792 ppm) > Co (0.0706 ppm) > Mn (0.0356 ppm) > Cu (0.0317 ppm) > Ni (0.0215 ppm). The average values of Zn, Ni, Cu, Pb, and Co were greater than those reported previously in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coastal sediments. At the same time, Mo and Cd were not detected in any studied soil sample. The correlation analysis revealed that the EC of mangrove soil was positively correlated with SOM, Ca, Mg, Na, and K, while the EC of sediment–water was positively correlated with Na, K, and Cu. Landfilling, sewage pollution, mismanagement of solid waste, and contamination due to other anthropogenic activities may lead to heavy metal hazards and the loss of large areas of mangrove plants in this region. Therefore, the findings of this study should be considered to understand and design the management strategy of mangrove forests in the area of study.