Updated checklist of bony fishes along the Libyan coasts (Southern Mediterranean Sea)

Here we provide an updated review of both native and non-indigenous ichthyofauna occurring in the waters of Libya, one of the largest and less studied marine areas of the Mediterranean basin. With respect to the most recent information, the list of Libyan bony fishes was updated with 104 species for a total of 304 listed taxa. Out of these species, 271 are native, 6 endemic to the Mediterranean, 22 non indigenous of Lessepsian origin and 5 range expanding taxa from Gibraltar. Information on the distribution and abundance of Lessepsian fishes along the Libyan coasts was gained through both field surveys and interviews with local small-scale fishermen, which contributed in filling large information gaps in the area. This combined approach allowed to gather a more complete representation of non indigenous species along the Libyan coasts and indicated three assessment areas, corresponding to the eastern, central and western sectors of the country, which should be considered in future monitoring programs

Exploring the sustainable economy and energy for Libya's future

Libya during the past decades has made strategic plans for diversification of resources and the development of the economy with partial independence from traditional sources of energy (oil and natural gas). However, oil and natural gas have continued to play a major role in Libya's economy as the main source of revenues and energy. In the last decade, the production of Libya's oil has been shut down unexpectedly due to the political tension and was significantly interrupted for much of 2011-2018. At the same time, the oil prices rebounding caused the economy to shrink accompanied by the decrease of per-capita income. Furthermore, inflation rates have jumped at a record level and still continuing. This study is aimed to explore the effect of the price and production quantity of oil on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and per-capita income. The researchers have conducted a comprehensive survey that included the reports of many originations and institutions to show the impact of fluctuations in oil prices on per capita income. The study has found that there is an urgent need to develop a strategy to find other energy resources to cope with the high development rates of the economy. Moreover, the study has shown that encouraging the private sector to find alternative resources other than oil and gas by the utilisation of renewable energy technologies will ensure the increase the income per capita and the improvements in the economic, health and educational situations

Effect of low levels of sulphate on the current density and film morphology during anodizing of aluminium in chromic acid

AbstractPrevious work has shown that a low level of sulphate impurity in chromic acid can significantly change the growth rate and the morphology of porous anodic films formed on aluminium at a constant voltage. The changes were associated with incorporation of sulphate into the films. The present study employs electron microscopy to reveal the growth of larger pores and cells at longer times of anodizing than previously used, leading to a duplex film morphology, with finer pores in the outer region. The change in pore size correlates with a reduction in the concentration of sulphate in the film. However, the behaviour of a tungsten tracer indicates that the sulphate does not alter the mechanism of pore generation significantly. From the results of sequential anodizing in sulphate-containing and sulphate-depleted electrolytes, it is suggested that incorporated sulphate ions lead to the generation of a space charge layer, which has an important role in determining the current density

Towards exporting renewable energy from MENA region to Europe: An investigation into domestic energy use and householders' energy behaviour in Libya

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Renewable energy in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, particular solar energy, can be connected to Europe to provide the Northern neighbouring countries with electricity. To achieve this long term objective, it is necessary to understand the local domestic consumption of electricity in the MENA region as the main consumer of energy. The understanding of current and future trends could help to provide a complete picture of the energy situation in MENA region and the feasibility of exporting energy to Europe. For this reason, this paper investigates the domestic energy use and occupants' energy behaviour in Libya. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of domestic energy consumption and householders' awareness, attitudes and behaviour on the overall energy consumption in Libya and how this could affect the peak demand, capacity, future trends and government energy budget. The paper also investigates the sustainability aspect of consumer products and the awareness and attitude of consumers towards consumption and demand. A comprehensive survey has been conducted to evaluate several aspects of domestic energy demand and characteristics in Libya. The findings have indicated that there is a significant increase in energy demands in the household sector in Libya and it is significant to have a clear strategy to reduce carbon emission and energy use by improving occupants' behaviour as well as utilising other sustainable measures. Minor adjustment in householders' energy consumption behaviour and the technology used to generate energy could provide significant financial savings and contribute significantly to the reduction in carbon emission and energy consumption. This will allow significant benefit to the local economy and the energy sector in Libya but at the same time could provide sustainable energy resources for Europe on the long term

Effect of sulphate impurity in chromic acid anodizing of aluminium

AbstractThe formation of porous anodic alumina during potentiostatic anodizing of aluminium for times up to 900s has been investigated using two grades of chromic oxide reagent. The anodic films were examined by ion beam analysis and scanning and transmission electron microscopies. Sulphate impurity in the chromic acid led to incorporation of sulphate into the anodic film, a lower current density, a smaller cell size and less feathering of the pore walls. In addition, the efficiency of film formation was increased. The sulphate concentration in the film was greatly enhanced relative to the electrolyte

Anodizing of aluminium and AA 2024-T3 alloy in chromic acid: effects of sulphate on film growth

Chromic acid anodizing is important for the corrosion protection of aerospace aluminium alloys. Previous study has demonstrated that SO42\ua0 12 impurity in the chromic acid affects the film growth on aluminium at a voltage of 100\ua0V. The present work further investigates aluminium and extends the study to industrial anodizing conditions (Bengough-Stuart (B-S) process) and to the AA 2024-T3 alloy. It is shown that SO42\ua0 12 concentrations between ~\ua038\u2013300\ua0ppm reduce the film growth rate for aluminium anodized at 100\ua0V in comparison with an electrolyte than contains 64\ua01.5\ua0ppm SO42\ua0 12, whereas ~\ua01500\u20133000\ua0ppm SO42 have an opposite effect and lead to an unstable pore diameter. Under the B-S process, the film growth depends on the substrate composition, the SO42\ua0 12 content of the film, the film morphology and, for the alloy, oxygen generation. Corrosion tests of the alloy in 3.5% NaCl solution revealed better protection with films formed in chromic acid containing 38\ua0ppm SO42\ua0 12 compared with 64\ua01.5\ua0ppm SO42\ua0 12, which are within the specified limits for sulphate impurity for chromic acid anodizing. The difference in corrosion protection is proposed to be related to the observed differences in the film morphologies; it is speculated that this may influence the retention of residues of chromate ions in the films