Vulnerability assessment and adaptation to the impacts of sea level rise on the Kingdom of Bahrain

This paper assesses quantitatively the impact of sea level rise (SLR) at the global and regional scale as a result of climate change (CC) on the coastal areas of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s islands (36 Islands). The standard Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines was modified as appropriate for the situation of the study area. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) coupled with Remote Sensing (RS) were used as the main techniques of collecting, analyzing, modeling simulating and disseminating information to build SLR scenarios in a geographically referenced context. Also, these tools were used to assess vulnerability and risk of the coastal area of the islands with the expectation that coastal planner and government authorities will profit from integrating these knowledge into a broad based environmental decision making. Three SLR scenarios: low, moderate and high were developed to examine the impacts from SLR on all islands. The low SLR scenario (Optimistic) assumes a 0.5-m rise above current sea level, the moderate scenario (Intermediate) assumes a one meter rise, and the high scenario (Pessimistic) assumes a 1.5 m rise in sea level. Two more SLR scenarios were assumed to perform risk analysis, a 2 and 5 meter rise above current sea level. The simulation of SLR are quite straightforward, emphasizing on the uses of both of the data that are incorporated from the satellite images and the created Digital Elevation Model (DEM) to estimate SLR scenarios that are adapted in the study. These data were used to predict consequences of the possibility of the rise in sea level at different scenarios which may alter the landuse and patterns of human communities. Results indicate that low-lying coastal areas of Bahrain islands are at risk from the effects of any SLR resulting from CC. These islands are vulnerable under different SLR Scenarios. More than 17% of the country total area may be inundated under 1.5 m SLR in 2100. The total area that might be lost under different sea level scenarios will vary from more than 77 km² if SLR reaches 0.5 m, to about 100 km² under 1.0 m SLR and may reach 124 km² under 1.5 m SLR scenario. The total inundated areas due to risk scenarios will reach 133 km², if the SLR rises to 2.0 m, and it is estimated to be more than (22%) of the main island total area. Under the second scenario, if the SLR reaches 5.0 m, the main islands will lose approximately half of its area (47%) equal to 280 km². Hawar islands group will lose about (30%) of its total area under 2.0 m SLR, which is about 15.5 km².A SLR adaptation policy framework (APF) and adaptation policy initiatives (APIs) are suggested for planners to build upon for reducing the likely effects of SLR in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The framework is composed of four steps namely, acquisition of information, planning and design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation. A general policy framework for a national response to SLR is suggested. Additionally, a range of policy adaptation options/initiatives to sustain coastal developments under the likely effects of SLR are recommended.     

Restoring the plant productivity of heavy metal-contaminated soil using phosphate sludge, marble waste, and beneficial microorganisms

Assisted natural remediation (ANR) has been highlighted as a promising, less expensive, and environmentally friendly solution to remediate soil contaminated with heavy metals. We tested the effects of three amendments (10% compost, C; 5 or 15% phosphate sludge, PS5 and PS15; and 5 or 15% marble waste, MW5 and MW15) in combination with microorganism inoculation (rhizobacteria consortium alone, mycorrhizae alone, and the two in-combination) on alfalfa in contaminated soil. Plant concentrations of Zn, Cu, and Pb were measured, along with proline and malondialdehyde production. The microbiological and physicochemical properties of the mining soil were evaluated. Application of the amendments allowed germination and promoted growth. Inoculation with the rhizobacteria consortium and/or mycorrhizae stimulated plant growth. PS and MW stimulated the production of proline. Inoculation of alfalfa with the rhizobacteria-mycorrhizae mixture and the application of MW allowed the safe cultivation of the legume, as shown by the low concentrations of metals in plant shoots. Zn and Pb concentrations were below the limits recommended for animal grazing and accumulated essentially in roots. Soil analyses showed the positive effect of the amendments on the soil physicochemical properties. All treatments increased soil pH (around 7), total organic carbon, and assimilable phosphorus content. Notably, an important decrease in soluble heavy metals concentrations was observed. Overall, our findings revealed that the applied treatments reduced the risk of metal-polluted soils limiting plant growth. The ANR has great potential for success in the restoration of polymetallic and acidic mining soils using the interaction between alfalfa, microorganisms, and organo-mineral amendments.     

Immune responses,DNA damage and ultrastructural alterations of gills in the marine mussel Lithophaga lithophaga exposed to CuO nanoparticles

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Nanoparticle (NP) pollution is a worldwide problem. Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) are one of the most used NPs in a variety of applications,...     

Intraguild predation by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Harmonia axyridis</Emphasis> on coccinellids revealed by exogenous alkaloid sequestration

Summary.  Under laboratory conditions, the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis is well known as an intraguild predator of other ladybirds. However the real impact of this exotic species on native species was poorly investigated in the field. Because many ladybird species produce alkaloids as defensive compounds, we propose here a new method of intraguild predation monitoring in coccinellids based on alkaloid quantification by GC-MS. In laboratory experiments, adaline was unambiguously detected in fourth instar larvae of H. axyridis having ingested one egg or one first instar larva of Adalia bipunctata. Although prey alkaloids in the predator decreased with time, traces were still detected in pupae, exuviae and imagines of H. axyridis having ingested one prey when they were fourth instar larvae. Analysis of H. axyridis larvae collected in two potato fields shows for the first time in Europe the presence of exogenous alkaloids in 9 out of 28 individuals tested. This new method of intraguild predation detection could be used more widely to follow the interactions between predators and potential chemically defended insect preys.     

The detoxifying effect of Polygonum equisetiforme extracts against dichlorvos (DDVP)-induced oxidative stress and neurotoxicity in the commercial clam Ruditapes decussatus

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Effects of Polygonum equisetiforme extracts against dichlorvos were investigated in the commercial clam Ruditapes decussatus. The toxicity of this...     

Performance characteristics of sequential separation and quantification of lead-210 and polonium-210 by ion exchange chromatography and nuclear spectrometric measurements

A selective separation and quantitative determination procedure for 210Pb and 210Po in various environmental matrices from different sources such as IAEA-326 soil, phosphate rocks (PR), and phosphogypsum (PG) was developed. The tested samples were digested sequentially using concentrated mineral acids (HF, HNO3) by a programmable high-pressure microwave digestion system. The sample solution was loaded onto a preconditioned ion exchange column (Sr-resin) for chromatographic separation. Polonium-210 was eluted by 6 M HNO3 then spontaneously deposited onto polished silver discs to be measured using low-background alpha spectrometry. Lead-210 was sequentially eluted using 6 M HCl solution, precipitated as lead oxalate, dissolved in HNO3 solution, and mixed with scintillation cocktail to be measured by liquid scintillation counting (LSC). Performance of the developed procedure was tested using a reference soil (IAEA-326), with recommended isotope values, that was used as a quality control to assess separation and quantification efficiency (recovery %). The minimum detectable activities of 210Pb and 210Po were found to be 24 and 0.28 Bq kg(-1) for the measurements using LSC and alpha spectrometry, respectively. The recoveries (%) of 210Pb and 210Po were found to be 80 and 60%, respectively. To test the validity of the proposed LSC method, a comparative study was performed by measuring 210Pb activity concentration in test samples by nondestructive gamma-ray spectrometry.     

A Comparative Study of Doum fiber and Shrimp Chitin Based Reinforced Low Density Polyethylene Biocomposites

The aim of this paper was to study the effects of reinforcing low density polyethylene (LDPE) by using bio-fillers (Doum cellulose or Shrimp chitin) on the mechanical properties. Both, Doum cellulose extracted frsom Doum leaves and Shrimp chitin extracted from shrimp co-products were compounded with LPDE without and with compatibilizer. The biocomposites were prepared by melt blending in a twin-screw extruder. Torsion and flexural tests were performed to investigate the impact of each reinforcement on the biocomposite mechanical properties. The SEM was carried out to study the filler/polymer interface adhesion. The present study has demonstrated that Doum fibers and shrimp chitin succeed in improving the mechanical properties of LPDE bio-composites. The results also showed that the use of maleic anhydride-grafted polyethylene as a compatibilizer improves filler adhesion/matrix and mechanical properties. This study exhibits that polyethylene composites based on Doum fibers or shrimp chitin can be used to replace the polyethylene materials in several fields like packaging and automotive industries.     

Two sampling strategies for an overview of pesticide contamination in an agriculture-extensive headwater stream

Two headwaters located in southwest France were monitored for 3 and 2 years (Auvézère and Aixette watershed, respectively) with two sampling strategies: grab and passive sampling with polar organic chemical integrative sampler (POCIS). These watersheds are rural and characterized by agricultural areas with similar breeding practices, except that the Auvézère watershed contains apple production for agricultural diversification and the downstream portion of the Aixette watershed is in a peri-urban area. The agricultural activities of both are extensive, i.e., with limited supply of fertilizer and pesticides. The sampling strategies used here give specific information: grab samples for higher pesticide content and POCIS for contamination background noise and number of compounds found. Agricultural catchments in small headwater streams are characterized by a background noise of pesticide contamination in the range of 20–70 ng/L, but there may also be transient and high-peak pesticide contamination (2000–3000 ng/L) caused by rain events, poor use of pesticides, and/or the small size of the water body. This study demonstrates that between two specific runoff events, contamination was low; hence the importance of passive sampler use. While the peak pesticide concentrations seen here are a toxicity risk for aquatic life, the pesticide background noise of single compounds do not pose obvious acute nor chronic risks; however, this study did not consider the risk from synergistic “cocktail” effects. Proper tools and sampling strategies may link watershed activities (agricultural, non-agricultural) to pesticides detected in the water, and data from both grab and passive samples can contribute to discussions on environmental effects in headwaters, an area of great importance for biodiversity.     

Characterization of phosphate rock and phosphogypsum from Gabes phosphate fertilizer factories (SE Tunisia): high mining potential and implications for environmental protection

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Since the establishment of the coastal industrial complex in Gabes city (Gulf of Gabes, SE Tunisia), hundred million tons of untreated phosphogypsum...     

Polynomial Surrogates for Open-Channel Flows in Random Steady State

Assessing epistemic uncertainties is considered as a milestone for improving numerical predictions of a dynamical system. In hydrodynamics, uncertainties in input parameters translate into uncertainties in simulated water levels through the shallow water equations. We investigate the ability of generalized polynomial chaos (gPC) surrogate to evaluate the probabilistic features of water level simulated by a 1-D hydraulic model (MASCARET) with the same accuracy as a classical Monte Carlo method but at a reduced computational cost. This study highlights that the water level probability density function and covariance matrix are better estimated with the polynomial surrogate model than with a Monte Carlo approach on the forward model given a limited budget of MASCARET evaluations. The gPC-surrogate performance is first assessed on an idealized channel with uniform geometry and then applied on the more realistic case of the Garonne River (France) for which a global sensitivity analysis using sparse least-angle regression was performed to reduce the size of the stochastic problem. For both cases, Galerkin projection approximation coupled to Gaussian quadrature that involves a limited number of forward model evaluations is compared with least-square regression for computing the coefficients when the surrogate is parameterized with respect to the local friction coefficient and the upstream discharge. The results showed that a gPC-surrogate with total polynomial degree equal to 6 requiring 49 forward model evaluations is sufficient to represent the water level distribution (in the sense of the \(\ell _2\) norm), the probability density function and the water level covariance matrix for further use in the framework of data assimilation. In locations where the flow dynamics is more complex due to bathymetry, a higher polynomial degree is needed to retrieve the water level distribution. The use of a surrogate is thus a promising strategy for uncertainty quantification studies in open-channel flows and should be extended to unsteady flows. It also paves the way toward cost-effective ensemble-based data assimilation for flood forecasting and water resource management.