Geomorphic classification of coral reefs in the north-western Australian shelf

Coral reefs occur extensively along the northwest Australian continental shelf in the Kimberley Bioregion (KIM), forming major geomorphic features along and just off the coast. These reefs have not been studied in as much detail as the offshore reefs and are poorly known due to the coastal conditions, including extremely high tide regimes, high turbidity and complex coastline morphology. This study aims to establish a regional-scale distribution map of exposed and intertidal reefs of the KIM and to classify the Kimberley reefs into types, adopting widely recognised reef classification and typology schemes. Remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used in this study to process and produce digital maps as well as to provide some of the first detailed spatial analysis of reef distribution. Outcomes of this study showed that the Kimberley reefs possess strong morphological complexity and clear regional patterns. The study revealed that the number of Kimberley reefs and their area are considerably (60%) greater than previously thought; the total combined reefal area is approximately 1,950 km2. Fringing reefs have been identified as the dominant reef type and are widely distributed throughout the KIM. It was also found that tidal range affected the distribution of reef geomorphologies. The outcomes of this study will contribute to a better understanding of the Kimberley reefs, and provide marine park managers with essential and quality scientific information so that better management decisions can be made in this area

A blowout jet associated with one obvious extreme-ultraviolet wave and one complicated coronal mass ejection event

In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of a coronal blowout jet eruption which was associated with an obvious extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) wave and one complicated coronal mass ejection (CME) event based on the multi-wavelength and multi-view-angle observations from {\sl Solar Dynamics Observatory} and {\sl Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory}. It is found that the triggering of the blowout jet was due to the emergence and cancellation of magnetic fluxes on the photosphere. During the rising stage of the jet, the EUV wave appeared just ahead of the jet top, lasting about 4 minutes and at a speed of 458 - \speed{762}. In addition, obvious dark material is observed along the EUV jet body, which confirms the observation of a mini-filament eruption at the jet base in the chromosphere. Interestingly, two distinct but overlapped CME structures can be observed in corona together with the eruption of the blowout jet. One is in narrow jet-shape, while the other one is in bubble-shape. The jet-shaped component was unambiguously related with the outwardly running jet itself, while the bubble-like one might either be produced due to the reconstruction of the high coronal fields or by the internal reconnection during the mini-filament ejection according to the double-CME blowout jet model firstly proposed by Shen et al. (2012b), suggesting more observational evidence should be supplied to clear the current ambiguity based on large samples of blowout jets in future studies.Comment: APJ, Accepted October 19, 201

A new small satellite sunspot triggering recurrent standard- and blowout-coronal jets

In this paper,we report a detailed analysis of recurrent jets originated from a location with emerging, canceling and converging negative magnetic field at the east edge of NOAA active region AR11166 from 2011 March 09 to 10. The event presented several interesting features. First, a satellite sunspot appeared and collided with a pre-existing opposite polarity magnetic field and caused a recurrent solar jet event. Second, the evolution of the jets showed blowout-like nature and standard characteristics. Third, the satellite sunspot exhibited a motion toward southeast of AR11166 and merged with the emerging flux near the opposite polarity sunspot penumbra, which afterward, due to flux convergence and cancellation episodes, caused recurrent jets. Fourth, three of the blowout jets associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs), were observed from field of view of the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory. Fifth, almost all the blowout jet eruptions were accompanied with flares or with more intense brightening in the jet base region, while almost standard jets did not manifest such obvious feature during eruptions. The most important, the blowout jets were inclined to faster and larger scale than the standard jets. The standard jets instead were inclined to relative longer-lasting. The obvious shearing and twisting motions of the magnetic field may be interpreted as due to the shearing and twisting motions for a blowout jet eruption. From the statistical results, about 30% blowout jets directly developed into CMEs. It suggests that the blowout jets and CMEs should have a tight relationship.Comment: ApJ 18 pages, 7 figure

ReefKIM: An integrated geodatabase for sustainable management of the Kimberley Reefs, North West Australia

Coral reefs of the Kimberley Bioregion are seldom studied due to limited accessibility and extreme water conditions, which make management of these vital ecosystems a challenging task. Managing reef resources requires a considerable amount of credible, consistent and continual information. We identified the geographic information system (GIS) approach to be useful in developing an integrated geodatabase by acquiring information from different sources relating to the Kimberley reefs. Based on this approach, the study aimed to create a foundation for the first comprehensive geodatabase of the Kimberley reefs, called ReefKIM. The work included compiling existing spatial and non-spatial data, as well as collecting new data to complete information gaps. The study demonstrates how new technologies can be harnessed to crowdsource data from a wide range of people though a web-based platform. ReefKIM will provide a practical tool for scientists and managers to facilitate better monitoring and sustainable management of these vital natural resources. Moreover, it will support further studies in various disciplines leading to a more detailed understanding of the Kimberley Bioregion reefs

Geomorphology, growth pattern and substrates of the inshore Kimberley Reefs, Western Australia: A spatial analysis approach

Coral reefs occur extensively along the northwest coast of Australia forming major geomorphic features of the Kimberley coast. These reefs are seldom studied due to limited accessibility and extreme water conditions, which make management of these vital ecosystems a challenging task. Remote sensing and GIS were used in this study to create a foundation for the first comprehensive geodatabase of theses reefs and to provide some of the first detailed analysis ofreef distribution

The Urinary 1-hydroxypyrene Biomarker in Street Janitors Exposed to Traffic Related Benzo[a]Pyrene During One Islamic Calendar Year in Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Ph. D. ThesisBackground Madinah is the second most important Muslim holy city in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, during the holy months, traffic congestion and consequent air emission of several pollutant compounds, mainly carcinogenic Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), are expected to reach high levels in certain places. The emission of these pollutants into the atmosphere increases their concentration, which in turn increases the risk of exposure through inhalation. Inhalation of air BaP is the main route of entry into the human body, and so the aim of the present study was to assess exposure to air BaP through urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) in street janitors. The study also aimed at finding the relation between this biomarker and daily exposure to air BaP with traffic volume and meteorological factors, such as wind speed, temperature, wind direction, relative humidity, and precipitation. Methods The study was performed during one Islamic calendar year from 1/4/1438 – 30/3/1439 (December 2016 to November 2017) in Madinah City. The research was designed to include three traffic locations with high traffic density and two control locations with low traffic activity. In these locations, BaP was measured daily in the breathing-zone air of the street janitors using PM2.5 personal samplers, and in the air of the five studied locations using high-volume air samplers. Daily measures including traffic volume (cars, medium and heavy vehicles), temperature, humidity, wind speed, and precipitation, were recorded at the five studied locations. 20 male participants (street janitors) aged between 25 and 35 years were recruited in the study from each of the five studied locations. In total, 100 street janitors were involved in the study. Two urine samples were obtained from each participant after their work shift and in the early morning of the next day to measure 1- OHP. Summary statistics, including medians, were used to describe the data. Graphs, including II calendar and time series plots were used to visually present the data. Data were analysed using methods that included Spearman’s rank correlation, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results It was found that BaP and 1-OHP concentrations were significantly higher in the heavy traffic locations compared to the control locations. The research also found that BaP and 1-OHP concentrations were significantly higher during the holy months of the Islamic calendar than the normal months. For example, the median concentrations of 1-OHP in traffic locations during the holy months of Ramadan, Dhu al-Qadah, Dhu al-Ḥijjah and Muḥarram were 0.98, 0.99, 1.01 and 0.82 μmol/mol, respectively. The median concentrations of 1-OHP in normal months ranged between 0.71–0.74 μmol/mol. The median ambient BaP concentration during the holy months ranged between 0.59–0.63 ng/m3 , while in the normal months it ranged between 0.36–0.39 ng/m3 . It was also found that morning 1-OHP concentration was higher than after work 1-OHP concentration. The research also found that ambient BaP concentration was generally higher than the individual BaP concentration. Correlation results indicated that ambient BaP is positively correlated with CO (r = 0.59, p<0.001) and traffic volume (r = 0.74, p<0.001. It was also found that individual BaP is positively correlated with CO (r = 0.56, p<0.001) and traffic volume (r = 0.85, p<0.001). Meteorological conditions such as temperature, relative humidity and precipitation were found to have no effect on the concentration of both ambient and individual BaP. Conclusion The research found that the higher the traffic volume in Madinah, especially during the holy months, the higher the ambient BaP pollutants, and the higher the chance of people being exposed to BaP pollutants (individual BaP). Therefore, it is recommended that efforts to reduce the number of vehicles in Madinah be adopted. Two approaches are suggested: enacting laws preventing traffic, tax law in traffic areas to reduce the number of cars in the traffic areas, and encouraging the use of hybrid buses, electric trains and cars in Madinah. It is, however, important to note that the higher correlations found in this study were likely due to the controlled environment.Saudi Ministry of Education and the Saudi Cultural Bureau in Londo

Salicylic acid improves salinity-alkalinity tolerance in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Salinization and alkalization of soils are agricultural problems in arid and semiarid regions of the world such as Iran. In this experiment the effects of salicylic acid (SA) on resistance of pepper plants under salt stress (SS) and alkali stress (AS) were evaluated. Treatments include 0 and 150 mM of SS, 0, 50 and 100 mM of AS and 0, 0.75 and 1.5 mM SA. Results showed that SS and AS imposed negative effects on pepper plant growth and productivity. Reduction in growth and yield in SS was higher than AS and maximum reduction occurred in high mixed stresses. SA application improved growth parameters and increased yield, relative water content (RWC) and chlorophyll of plants subjected to SS and AS and provided significant protection against stress compared to non-SA-treated plants.  For most traits, 0.75 mM of SA was more effective than 1.5 mM concentration. SA ameliorated the injury caused by SS and AS by increasing chlorophyll and RWC and inhibiting proline accumulation and leaf electrolyte leakage (EL). In general, results indicate that salinity and alkalinity have negative effects on growth and yield of pepper plants and these negative effects can be ameliorated by application of SA