Assessment of organic and inorganic pollutants in the offshore sediments, Dubai, UAE.

The investigated area covers the maximum fragments of Dubai offshore in the Arabian Gulf. The sediment samples were collected from fifteen stations starting by Al-Mamzar mouth and ending by Ras Ghantoot in order to assess the organic and inorganic pollutants affecting the coastal region in Dubai. The textural class was determined through grain-size analysis and the mineral composition was identified by X-Ray diffraction. The organic pollutants were characterized through the determination of Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and individual polychlorinated biphenyls. On the other hand the inorganic pollutants were carried out by determination of some major oxides and trace elements concentrations, including heavy metals. The present study indicates that most of the investigated area is covered by unpolluted sediments except for the northeastern part of the investigated area, which reflects a heavy polluted case. High levels of TOC, TKN, TPH, PAHs and PCBs, in addition to Cu, Pb and Zn were reported at station 6 (Al Hamriya St 3). Al-Hamriya St 3 represents the most contaminated station. But the highest values of TKN, Fe, Mg, Cr, Ni and V were reported at stations located in the southwestern part (Dewa and Dubai). High positive correlation between TPH and TOC suggests that TOC could be used as an indicator of oil pollution in heavily oiled sediments. The frequency distribution of pollutants in the study area and the high relative S.D suggest an anthropogenic source. The association of copper, lead and zinc, with TPH and TOC in absence of V and Ni suggests that these pollutants are not related to crude oil and can be attributed to the presence of other contaminants. The negative correlation between Na and each of TPH, TOC, TKN, CU, Pb and Zn may give evidence of freshwater inpu

Solar thermal power generation. A bibliography with abstracts

Bibliographies and abstracts are cited under the following topics: (1) energy overviews; (2) solar overviews; (3) conservation; (4) economics, law; (5) thermal power; (6) thermionic, thermoelectric; (7) ocean; (8) wind power; (9) biomass and photochemical; and (10) large photovoltaics

Solar thermal heating and cooling. A bibliography with abstracts

This bibliographic series cites and abstracts the literature and technical papers on the heating and cooling of buildings with solar thermal energy. Over 650 citations are arranged in the following categories: space heating and cooling systems; space heating and cooling models; building energy conservation; architectural considerations, thermal load computations; thermal load measurements, domestic hot water, solar and atmospheric radiation, swimming pools; and economics

Looking towards the future: the changing nature of intrusive surveillance and technical attacks against high-profile targets

In this thesis a novel Bayesian model is developed that is capable of predicting the probability of a range of eavesdropping techniques deployed, given an attacker's capability, opportunity and intent. Whilst limited attention by academia has focused on the cold war activities of Soviet bloc and Western allies' bugging of embassies, even less attention has been paid to the changing nature of the technology used for these eavesdropping events. This thesis makes four contributions: through the analysis of technical eavesdropping events over the last century, technological innovation is shown to have enriched the eavesdropping opportunities for a range of capabilities. The entry barrier for effective eavesdropping is lowered, while for the well resourced eavesdropper, the requirement for close access has been replaced by remote access opportunities. A new way to consider eavesdropping methods is presented through the expert elicitation of capability and opportunity requirements for a range of present-day eavesdropping techniques. Eavesdropping technology is shown to have life-cycle stages with the technology exploited by different capabilities at different times. Three case studies illustrate that yesterday’s secretive government method becomes today’s commodity. The significance of the egress transmission path is considered too. Finally, by using the expert elicitation information derived for capability, opportunity and life-cycle position, for a range of eavesdropping techniques, it is shown that it is possible to predict the probability of particular eavesdropping techniques being deployed. This novel Bayesian inferencing model enables scenarios with incomplete, uncertain or missing detail to be considered. The model is validated against the previously collated historic eavesdropping events. The development of this concept may be scaled with additional eavesdropping techniques to form the basis of a tool for security professionals or risk managers wishing to define eavesdropping threat advice or create eavesdropping policies based on the rigour of this technological study.Open Acces

Research & scholarly achievements, July 1, 1985 - June 30, 1986

Annual summary of scholarly activities at UCF for the period from July 1, 1985 to June 30, 1986. This report highlights the contributions to scholarship by the Faculty during this period, including books and monographs, articles, creative works, presentations, grants and contracts

The determinants of the future of agriculture in Qatar

Not availabl

User-Responsivity and Environment-Sensitivity Consideration for State-Funded Housing in Alain City

Massive housing projects have shown that prospective users are rarely given the opportunity to participate in the design decisions. Subsequently, such schemes commonly fail to accommodate all their needs. In the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the housing projects that aim at resettling of Bedouin into newly developed urban communities are state-funded. Many of these houses that were built in the late seventies and early eighties were transferred back to the state (in a very bad condition due to the users random modifications and additions) in exchange of newer better houses. The lack of an adaptive design concept that can accommodate their changing needs also contributed to this problem. This thesis addresses the current problem and identifies user-responsive and environment-sensitive recommendations for future state funded housing schemes. A general review of the available literature is conducted along with past local efforts made to deal with the problem. In order to better understand the causes contributed to the user modifications and additions, data were collected and analyzed as part of the methodology used in the study. The United Arab Emirates climate and topography is studied in order to analyze the natural environment impact on the housing in general. In addition, contextual impacts were studied with respect to the current housing prototypes in the study area. The social environment impacts are also addressed to conclude a user responsive and environment sensitive recommendations for future housing schemes. The purpose of the case study is to demonstrate the natural and psychosocial environments affects on state funded houses and the inhabitants adaptations in response. Accordingly the conclusion drawn from this study should benefit the future housing schemes in reducing or eliminating the undesired modifications. Although the state funded housing represent the largest stack of housing in Abu Dhabi emirate, much factors and considerations regarding environmental impacts were overlooked. Both natural environment and psychosocial environment consideration need further assessment in terms of their impact on any future upgrading scheme. The research highlights many recommendations regarding planning, designing, and upgrading schemes of state funded housing

Life Cycle & Technoeconomic Modeling

This book aims to perform an impartial analysis to evaluate the implications of the environmental costs and impacts of a wide range of technologies and energy strategies. This information is intended to be used to support decision-making by groups, including researchers, industry, regulators, and policy-makers. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and technoeconomic analysis can be applied to a wide variety of technologies and energy strategies, both established and emerging. LCA is a method used to evaluate the possible environmental impacts of a product, material, process, or activity. It assesses the environmental impact throughout the life cycle of a system, from the acquisition of materials to the manufacture, use, and final disposal of a product. Technoeconomic analysis refers to cost evaluations, including production cost and life cycle cost. Often, in order to carry out technoeconomic analysis, researchers are required to obtain data on the performance of new technologies that operate on a very small scale in order to subsequently design configurations on a commercial scale and estimate the costs of such expansions. The results of the developed models help identify possible market applications and provide an estimate of long-term impacts. These methods, together with other forms of decision analysis, are very useful in the development and improvement of energy objectives, since they will serve to compare different decisions, evaluating their political and economic feasibility and providing guidance on potential financial and technological risks