Satellite-Based Water and Energy Balance Model for the Arid Region to Determine Evapotranspiration: Development and Application

Actual evapotranspiration (ETa) plays an important role in irrigation planning and supervision. Traditionally, the estimation of ETa was approximated using different in situ techniques, having high initial and maintenance costs with low spatial resolution. In this context, satellite imagery models play an effective role in water management practices by estimating ETa in small and large-scale areas. All existing models have been widely used for the estimation of ETa around the globe, but there is no definite conclusion on which approach is best for the hot and hyper-arid region of Oman. Our study introduces an innovative approach that uses in situ, meteorological, and satellite imagery (Landsat-OLI/TIRS) datasets to estimate ETa. The satellite-based water and energy balance model for the arid region to determine evapotranspiration (SMARET) was developed under the hot and hyper-arid region conditions of Oman by incorporating soil temperature in the sensible heat flux. The performance of SMARET ran through accuracy assessment against in situ measurements via sap flow sensors and lysimeters. The SMARET was also evaluated against three existing models, including the surface energy balance algorithm for land (SEBAL), mapping evapotranspiration at high-resolution with internalized calibration (METRIC), and the Penman–Monteith (PM) model. The study resulted in a significant correlation between SMARET (R2 = 0.73), as well as the PM model (R2 = 0.72), and the ETa values calculated from Lysimeter. The SMARET model also showed a significant correlation (R2 = 0.66) with the ETa values recorded using the sap flow meter. The strong relationship between SMARET, sap flow measurement, and lysimeter observation suggests that SMARET has application capability in hot and hyper-arid regions

CO2 greenhouse emissions in Oman over the last forty-two years: Review

In the Sultanate of Oman, oil and natural gas related activities have the most important shares of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) and are also the primary cause of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the country. In this study, the CO2 inventory for Oman was developed over the last forty two years (from 1972 to 2013) in accordance with the IPCC reference approach. The results indicated that over the years, the amount of crude oil and natural gas produced and locally consumed in Oman have drastically increased. As a result, CO2 GHG emissions resulting from the consumption of crude oil and natural gas in Oman have also greatly increased. This study aims to assist Oman in monitoring its progress in the reduction of CO2 emissions. 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Allrightsreserved.Scopus2-s2.0-8494055549

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Sultanate of Oman

Worldwide, many countries are being affected by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Sultanate of Oman is no exception. In Oman, both oil- and natural-gas-related activities have the most important shares of the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Hence, they are expected to be the primary cause of GHG emissions within the country. In this study, the greenhouse carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) released from the fossil fuels (i.e., oil and natural gas) used in the country for energy production purposes was computed by using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reference approach for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. The objective was to develop the CO2 emissions for Oman over the last 40 years starting from year 1972. The obtained results indicated that Oman has a growth in its CO2 GHG emissions. This study is very important and essential, as it will assist Oman to monitor its progress in reducing CO2 emissions