High salinity tolerance of the Red Sea coral Fungia granulosa under desalination concentrate discharge conditions: an in situ photophysiology experiment.

Seawater reverse osmosis desalination concentrate may have chronic and/or acute impacts on the marine ecosystems in the near-field area of the discharge. Environmental impact of the desalination plant discharge is supposedly site- and volumetric- specific, and also depends on the salinity tolerance of the organisms inhabiting the water column in and around a discharge environment. Scientific studies that aim to understand possible impacts of elevated salinity levels are important to assess detrimental effects to organisms, especially for species with no mechanism of osmoregulation, e.g., presumably corals. Previous studies on corals indicate sensitivity toward hypo- and hyper-saline environments with small changes in salinity already affecting coral physiology. In order to evaluate sensitivity of Red Sea corals to increased salinity levels, we conducted a long-term (29 days) in situ salinity tolerance transect study at an offshore seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) discharge on the coral Fungia granulosa. While we measured a pronounced increase in salinity and temperature at the direct outlet of the discharge structure, effects were indistinguishable from the surrounding environment at a distance of 5 m. Interestingly, corals were not affected by varying salinity levels as indicated by measurements of the photosynthetic efficiency. Similarly, cultured coral symbionts of the genus Symbiodinium displayed remarkable tolerance levels in regard to hypo- and hypersaline treatments. Our data suggest that increased salinity and temperature levels from discharge outlets wear off quickly in the surrounding environment. Furthermore, F. granulosa seem to tolerate levels of salinity that are distinctively higher than reported for other corals previously. It remains to be determined whether Red Sea corals in general display increased salinity tolerance, and whether this is related to prevailing levels of high(er) salinity in the Red Sea in comparison to other oceans.Research in this study was supported by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)

Mutations in SELENBP1, encoding a novel human methanethiol oxidase, cause extraoral halitosis

Selenium-binding protein 1 (SELENBP1) has been associated with several cancers, although its exact role is unknown. We show that SELENBP1 is a methanethiol oxidase (MTO), related to the MTO in methylotrophic bacteria, that converts methanethiol to H2O2, formaldehyde, and H2S, an activity not previously known to exist in humans. We identified mutations in SELENBP1 in five patients with cabbage-like breath odor. The malodor was attributable to high levels of methanethiol and dimethylsulfide, the main odorous compounds in their breath. Elevated urinary excretion of dimethylsulfoxide was associated with MTO deficiency. Patient fibroblasts had low SELENBP1 protein levels and were deficient in MTO enzymatic activity; these effects were reversed by lentivirus-mediated expression of wild-type SELENBP1. Selenbp1-knockout mice showed biochemical characteristics similar to those in humans. Our data reveal a potentially frequent inborn error of metabolism that results from MTO deficiency and leads to a malodor syndrome.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Index and statistical methods in water management. A case study from the mesopotamian marshes, Iraq

Water quality status of marshes within Mesopotamia has been investigated, and temporal and spatial changes determined by examining causes and effects. Data gathered from pre-desiccation and after re-flooding periods were subjected to index and statistical analysis. The quality of waters in the region was assigned to polluted class, regarding specific salinity related parameters. Total dissolved solids, chloride and sulfate were main variables negatively impacting the water quality. The main quality parameters creating spatial differences between the selected marshes were electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids. Temporal differences in dissolved oxygen, salinity, nitrate and phosphate concentrations between the 1980's and 2000's reflected the impact of desiccation and water shortage on the marshes. Salinity and nutrient concentrations generally increased after desiccation compared to their historical levels. These findings indicated that the Mesopotamian marshes had poor water quality due to increase in the concentration of salinity. The study revealed that the index and statistical methods are useful tools identifying water quality and fingerprinting pollution. This will help decision makers to establish strategic and comprehensive water management plans

INDEX AND STATISTICAL METHODS IN WATER MANAGEMENT. A CASE STUDY FROM THE MESOPOTAMIAN MARSHES, IRAQ

WOS: 000416201200002Water quality status of marshes within Mesopotamia has been investigated, and temporal and spatial changes determined by examining causes and effects. Data gathered from pre-desiccation and after re-flooding periods were subjected to index and statistical analysis. The quality of waters in the region was assigned to polluted class, regarding specific salinity related parameters. Total dissolved solids, chloride and sulfate were main variables negatively impacting the water quality. The main quality parameters creating spatial differences between the selected marshes were electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids. Temporal differences in dissolved oxygen, salinity, nitrate and phosphate concentrations between the 1980's and 2000's reflected the impact of desiccation and water shortage on the marshes. Salinity and nutrient concentrations generally increased after desiccation compared to their historical levels. These findings indicated that the Mesopotamian marshes had poor water quality due to increase in the concentration of salinity. The study revealed that the index and statistical methods are useful tools identifying water quality and fingerprinting pollution. This will help decision makers to establish strategic and comprehensive water management plans.Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA); University of WaterlooThe authors are grateful to the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the University of Waterloo for their motivation and support in pursuing research activities. We are also thankful to the Marine Science Centre, University of Basrah for their contribution on field work and data analysis

Controlling Factors of Phytoplankton Productivity in Marshes in a Hot Climate with High Seasonal Variation

In this work the Auda marsh, which is part of a system of Iraqi marshes, was sampled to assess the seasonal dynamics and controlling factors of microalgae productivity. The marshes are situated in a hot climate with high seasonal variation near the Arabian Gulf. Physicochemical and biological measurements were taken for water in three areas. Bio-optical models were constructed to describe the primary productivity and chlorophyll-a concentrations in the wet and dry seasons separately and also for the entire area of the Iraqi marshes. The models, as well as almost all measurements, showed high seasonal variation. The mean water temperature was 16 °C in the wet season and 28 °C in the dry season. An almost twofold difference was measured for turbidity and the concentrations of dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll-a for the two seasons. Chlorophyll-a appeared to be a better indicator of ecosystem conditions than primary productivity or biological oxygen demand, according to the results obtained from canonical correlation analysis. Nitrogen or phosphorous did not explain primary productivity or chlorophyll-a to an appreciable extent. Biological variables were related most strongly to water temperature and turbidity, which were the factors most important for controlling phytoplankton productivity in the marshes

Gaseous Pollutants in Basra City, Iraq

This study aimed to detect the present levels and distribution of CO, CO 2 , SO 2 , NO 2 , and total hydrocarbons gases (HCs) produced from different industrial plants in Basra city, Iraq. Measurements were carried out in the winter and summer of 2011. CO, SO 2 , NO 2 , and HC concentrations were measured using a Drager CMS portable detector, while CO 2 concentrations were measured using a RI-411A portable detector. The average minimum concentrations of CO, CO 2 , SO 2 , NO 2 , and HCs were 2.0 mg/L, 250.0 mg/L, 4.0 mg/L, 0.4 mg/L, 0.5 mg/L, and 0.3 mg/L, respectively. Their average maximum concentrations were 18.0 mg/L, 280 mg/L, 0.9 mg/L, 1.3 mg/L, and 1.3 mg/L, respectively. The results indicate that stations close to the electrical power plant and oil refinery have higher levels of pollutants when compared to the urban station. According to the standards guidelines reported by the World Health Organization's Environmental Protection Act, the detected concentrations of CO for short-term exposure and the average concentrations of NO 2 and SO 2 for short-term and long-term exposure pose serious health hazards, especially in the industrial areas