KAUST marine biologist Maggie Johnson is studying how to accurately measure environmental conditions to optimize coral restoration, focusing on temperature and light. She highlights the variability in precision and accuracy of commercially available instruments for measuring these parameters. Johnson notes that some instruments fail in the Red Sea's warm temperatures and high salinity, providing incorrect data. Why it matters: Accurate environmental monitoring is crucial for the success of coral reef restoration efforts in the face of climate change, especially in extreme environments like the Red Sea.
KAUST researchers led by Mark Tester are developing new irrigation technology to enable crop production using semi-saline water, aiming to reduce freshwater reliance to 10% in greenhouse systems. The technology is eco-friendly and intends to cut agricultural costs by utilizing seawater, targeting a cost of 10 U.S. cents per cubic meter. A new company named Red Sea Farms is being developed to grow salt-tolerant tomatoes in diluted seawater in a greenhouse cooled with undiluted seawater. Why it matters: This research could significantly reduce pressure on freshwater resources in arid regions and offers a sustainable approach to increase food production using available seawater.
Kamal Mousa Al-Jahni, a Saudi Ph.D. student at the University of South Florida, is researching natural water springs in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Oman, leveraging facilities at the KAUST Analytical Chemistry Core Lab (ACL). Al-Jahni is expanding on his master's research, collaborating with King Saud University and utilizing KAUST's specialized testing facilities and expert staff. He aims to improve sample collection and utilize advanced lab equipment. Why it matters: This research contributes to a better understanding of water resources in the Arabian Peninsula and demonstrates KAUST's role in supporting environmental research and training Saudi researchers.
KAUST and KACST have partnered to assess the safety of seafood from the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, with KACST funding an environmental contaminants lab at KAUST. Researchers from KAUST's Coastal & Marine Resources Core Lab (CMR) collect samples, which are then analyzed by the Analytical Chemistry Core Lab (ACL). The project aims to determine the exposure status of the Saudi population to environmental contaminants and provide recommendations on safe seafood consumption. Why it matters: Ensuring the safety of consumable fishery products is crucial for public health and food security in Saudi Arabia.
KAUST researchers are using autonomous gliders in the Red Sea to monitor variables such as temperature, salinity, and chlorophyll, providing continuous, detailed measurements of the sea's physical and biogeochemical processes. These gliders can measure a number of variables, including temperature, salinity, chlorophyll, and concentration of dissolved organic matter. One glider was deployed for three months and monitored the formation of mesoscale eddies and anthropogenic inputs from aquaculture. Why it matters: This technology allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the Red Sea ecosystem and its dynamics, benefiting research and applications such as monitoring the impact of aquaculture, with potential implications for environmental management and sustainable resource utilization.