Hameed Sulaiman

Comparative evaluation of EIA systems in the Gulf Cooperation Council States

This review paper details the current status of environmental impact assessment (EIA) legislation framework and procedures of implementation of EIA systems in the Gulf Cooperation Council States. The paper discusses the similarities and the different practice approaches of EIA studies between the States through assessment criteria of EIA systems. Performance evaluation criteria consisting of systematic and foundation measures are used for comparative assessment. This paper hence, seeks to develop a compilation on these EIA systems with regard to its legislation, practices and performance in the respective countries. A set of recommendations on how such practices can be enhanced and improved is presented.

Concentrations of Selected Phthalate Esters in Surface Dust in Omani Houses

People stay most of the time indoor in humid climatic countries. Since synthetic materials especially plastics occupies our living rooms, indoor-accumulated dust is a health concern. Indoor surface dust samples were collected from living room of households in the city of Muscat, Oman. Samples were analyzed to identify 6 different species of phthalates using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Total phthalates concentration ranged from 0.01 to 1864.58 μg/g. Di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) was the predominant species contributing to more than 80% of the identified phthalates followed by di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP). The presence of high concentration of DNOP in surface dust samples probably may reflect the carpet usage in Omani houses. The species of phthalates reported in this study are not comparable to those from studies conducted in other countries.

Carbon Sink Potential of Avicennia marina in the Al-Qurm Nature Reserve, Muscat, Oman

Climate change is a global issue, caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere resulting in many adverse effects. One of the many responses to the climate change impact is to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Al-Qurm Nature Reserve in Muscat city of Oman is a mangrove vegetation protected by law as conservation area. Carbon sequestration was estimated in three distinct zones of this natural mangrove vegetation with Avicennia marina. The mean carbon stock in the middle zone was 7.7±0.3 kg C/m2, and for the seaward zone was 5.3±0.7 kg C/m2, and for landward 18.8±0.1 kg C/m2, which is 3.5 times higher than seaward zone and slightly more than 2 times than middle zone. The 0.82 km2 of Al-Qurm Nature Reserve occupied purely by Avicennia marina was estimated to sink about 8692 t C (0.0087 Mt C) equivalent to about 0.032 Mt of CO2e. These estimates suggest a high carbon storage and carbon sequestration potential of Avicennia marina in Al-Qurm Nature Reserve despite their relatively small area.