Remote sensing of inland Sabkha and a study of the salinity and temporal stability for sustainable development: A case study from the West coast of Qatar

The inland sabkha of the Arabian Gulf is important to study for the occurrence of minerals, rocks, soil salinity, and stability of the sabkha due to the high demand for infrastructure and agriculture development region. This study describes the spectral absorptions of evaporite minerals, discriminates rocks, maps salt crusts, gypsiferous soil flats, and soil salinity, and studies the temporal stability of an inland sabkha of the Dukhan area, west coast of the State of Qatar. This was performed using satellite data of the Hyperion of EO1, ASTER of Terra, and multispectral instrument (MSI) of Sentinel-2. The occurrence of minerals in the area is detected using Hyperion data by the linear spectral unmixing (LSU) method and studied for their spatial distribution. The different geological formations of the sabkha were discriminated by using the VNIR (visible and near-infrared) and SWIR (shortwave infrared) spectral bands from ASTER by principal component analysis (PCA). The image developed by using the principal components (R:PC2, G:PC3, B:PC5) showed the formations in different tones. Salinity of the area was mapped using monthly data of MSI from 2018 to 2020 by normalized difference salinity index (NDSI) (band11-band12)/(band11 + band12). The results of the index displayed the distribution of salinity in the area. Besides, moisture of the area was studied by using the normalized difference moisture index (NDMI) (b8-b11)/(b8 + b11) and described the temporal stability of the sabkha. All the results of image analyses were validated through field and laboratory studies. The study of laboratory spectra of evaporite minerals namely gypsum, anhydrite, and halite present in the salt crusts and gypsiferous soil flats showed their unique spectral absorptions in between 1.4–1.5 μm and 1.9–2.0 μm whereas, the calcite and dolomite minerals of the carbonate formations exhibited deep absorptions near 2.345 and 2.495 μm respectively.This study was supported by the Qatar National Research Fund under the National Priorities Research Program (grant no NPRP10-0214-170462)

Monitoring oil spill in Norilsk, Russia using satellite data.

This paper studies the oil spill, which occurred in the Norilsk and Taimyr region of Russia due to the collapse of the fuel tank at the power station on May 29, 2020. We monitored the snow, ice, water, vegetation and wetland of the region using data from the Multi-Spectral Instruments (MSI) of Sentinel-2 satellite. We analyzed the spectral band absorptions of Sentinel-2 data acquired before, during and after the incident, developed true and false-color composites (FCC), decorrelated spectral bands and used the indices, i.e. Snow Water Index (SWI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The results of decorrelated spectral bands 3, 8, and 11 of Sentinel-2 well confirmed the results of SWI, NDWI, NDVI, and FCC images showing the intensive snow and ice melt between May 21 and 31, 2020. We used Sentinel-2 results, field photographs, analysis of the 1980-2020 daily air temperature and precipitation data, permafrost observations and modeling to explore the hypothesis that either the long-term dynamics of the frozen ground, changing climate and environmental factors, or abnormal weather conditions may have caused or contributed to the collapse of the oil tank.Open access funding provided by the Qatar National Library

Sentinel-2 image transformation methods for mapping oil spill – A case study with Wakashio oil spill in the Indian Ocean, off Mauritius

Although several indices have been constructed and available at the Index database (IDB) for Sentinel-2 satellite to map and study several earth resources, no indices have been developed to map oil spill. We constructed band ratios (5 + 6)/7, (3 + 4)/2, (11+12)/8 and 3/2, (3 + 4)/2, (6 + 7)/5 using the high-resolution MSI (multi-spectral instrument) visible-near infrared-shortwave infrared spectral bands of Sentinel-2 by summing-up the bands representing the shoulders of absorption features as numerator and the band located nearest to the absorption feature as denominator to discriminate oil spill, and demonstrate the potential of this method to map the Wakashio oil spill which occurred in the Indian Ocean, off Mauritius. The resulted images discriminated the oil spill well. We also decorrelated the spectral bands 4, 3 and 2 by studying the spectral band absorptions and discriminated the spill as very thick, thick and thin. The results of decorrelation stretch method exhibited the distribution of types of oil spill in a different tone, distinctly. Both the image transformation methods (band ratios and decorrelation stretch methods) showed their capability to map oil spills, and these methods are recommended to use for similar spectral bands of other sensors to map oil spills. • This study demonstrated the application of band ratios and decorrelation stretch methods to map oil spill. • The methods discriminated the oil spill off Mauritius, and showed spill thicknesses from the Sentinel-2 data. • The new methods are recommended to use for the spectral bands of other sensors to map oil spill.This work was supported by the Qatar University’s International Research Collaboration Co-Funds project (IRCC-2019-002). The authors are thankful to the Copernicus, European Space Agency for sharing the Sentinel-2 data through the Sentinel open access hub. The authors are thankful to Dr. Damià Barceló, the Editor in Chief and anonymous reviewers of the journal for their valuable reviews and constructive comments that have helped to present the work lucidly. The authors are thankful to Dr. Damià Barceló, Editor in Chief and anonymous reviewers of the journal for their valuable reviews, providing comments and suggestions that have helped to present the work lucidly. Open access funding provided by the Qatar National Library

Detection of Wakashio oil spill off Mauritius using Sentinel-1 and 2 data: Capability of sensors, image transformation methods and mapping

Oil spill incidents contaminate water bodies, and damage the coastal and marine environment including coral reefs and mangroves, and therefore, monitoring the oil spills is highly important. This study discriminates the Wakashio oil spill, which occurred off Mauritius, located in the Indian Ocean on August 06, 2020 using the Sentinel-1 and 2 data acquired before, during and after the spill to understand the spreading of the spill and assess its impact on the coastal environment. The interpretation of VV polarization images of Synthetic-Aperture Radar (SAR) C-band (5.404 GHz) of Sentinel-1 acquired between July 5 and September 3, 2020 showed the occurrence and distribution of oil spill as dark warped patches. The images of band ratios (5 + 6)/7, (3 + 4)/2, (11 + 12)/8 and 3/2, (3 + 4)/2, (6 + 7)/5 of the Sentinel-2 data detected the oil spill. The images of decorrelated spectral bands 4, 3 and 2 distinguished the very thick, thick and thin oil spills in a different tone and showed clearly their distribution over the lagoon and offshore, and the accumulation of spilled oil on the coral reefs and along the coast. The distribution of post-oil spill along the coast was interpreted using the images acquired after 21 August 2020. The accuracy of oil spill mapping was assessed by classifying the SAR-C data and decorrelated images of the MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) data using the Parallelepiped supervised algorithm and confusion matrix. The results showed that the overall accuracy is on an average 91.72 and 98.77%, and Kappa coefficient 0.84 and 0.96, respectively. The satellite-derived results were validated with field studies. The MSI results showed the occurrence and spread of oil spill having different thicknesses, and supported the results of SAR. This study demonstrated the capability of Sentinel sensors and the potential of image processing methods to detect, monitor and assess oil spill impact on environment.This work was supported by the Qatar University’s International Research Collaboration Co-Funds project (IRCC-2019-002

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Multiphase Mineral Inclusions in Ferrikaersutite Megacrysts : Implications for Postmagmatic Alteration of the Kaersutite Host

Primary and secondary multiphase mineral inclusions, without preserved fluid are found in ferrikaersutite megacrysts from the Cenozoic Harrat Ash Sham Volcanic Field in  ٍSyria. Mineral phases in the inclusions are magnetite, hematite, pseudobrookite and pyrrhotite. The kaersutite megacrysts formed from a hydrous basanitic melt at depth. Silicate minerals in the inclusions are olivine, plagioclase, phlogopite, hornblende, clino- and orthopyroxene. These silicate minerals crystallized from melt penetration and infillings of veins and fractures in the kaersutite. Magnetite and pyrrhotite inclusion formed through magmatic crystallization which was followed by low temperature alteration and re-equilibration. Late stage  near-surface alteration resulted in the formation of hematite,  limonite  and fine-grained weathering products  which comprise high-Fe-Si-,  Si-Mg-Al-,  Si-Fe-Al-,  Si-Al- and Si-Ti-Al-Fe-Ca-rich alterations. The composition of these late stage alteration products was governed by low-temperature post-magmatic alteration of kaersutite along cleavage planes and fractures

Recognition of Minerals Using Multispectral Remote Sensing Data: A Case Study in the Sultanate of Oman

The present study demonstrates the capability of a multispectral sensor for the detection of the minerals in the rocks surrounding the Rusayl and Al Jafnayn regions, Sultanate of Oman. The study of spectral absorptions of rocks and minerals in the visible and near infrared (VNIR) and short wavelength infrared (SWIR) spectral bands of the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) using the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) supervised image classification technique has provided information on the occurrence of minerals in the rock types of the regions. The study shows the occurrence of carbonate minerals in the limestone formations and of poorly altered silicate minerals in the basic dyke rocks of the study regions. The analysis of minerals over the ancient terraces and recent alluvial deposits show that the deposit materials are derived from the dykes and foliated gabbro source rocks. The image interpretation is compared to the geological map, verified in the field and confirmed through laboratory analyses. The satellite data and the image processing techniques used have potential in the recognition of minerals in the rocks of the study region and could be used in similar arid regions elsewhere in the world

ASTER mapping of gypsum deposits of Thumrait region of southern Oman

© 2020 The Authors. Resource Geology published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Society of Resource Geology. This study demonstrates the use of ASTER data for the mapping of gypsum deposits and associated geological formations that occurred in the Thumrait region of southern Oman. The measurement of spectra over samples of gypsum in the 1,300–2,500 nm wavelength using a PIMA spectrometer showed the presence of distinct absorptions at 1400–1600, 1750, 1940, 2,100, and 2,400 nm characteristics to O-H stretching, H2O combinations, and S-O bending overtones and stretching, respectively. Studying the unique spectral absorption characters of gypsum samples, we developed a false color composite (FCC) and an image by decorrelation stretch using the spectral bands 7, 3, and 2 of ASTER. The results FCC showed the regions of gypsum occurrences, and the decorrelated image discriminated the gypsum occurrences from other geological formations of the area. The study of surface mineralogy of the region using the VNIR-SWIR bands by the spectral angle mapper method showed the presence of sulfate, carbonate, and clay minerals of the geological formations in the study area. We compared the results of ASTER with the results obtained using spectral bands 12, 8, and 4 of Sentinel-2A processed by the same methods. The study showed that the spectral bands of ASTER can be used for mapping the gypsum and associated geological formations

Negligence of Geological Investigations Site Leading to Slope Failure Incidents: A Case Study From Saih Al Ahmar in Bidbid, Northern Oman

This paper describes and analyzes a recent slope failure alongside Saih Al Ahmar water storage tank in Bidbid, and identifies the natural and induced causes of the landslide. Our analysis demonstrates that the landslide in Bidbid was the result of several combined factors: slope-forming materials, distribution of geological discontinuities and disturbance by human activities. Moreover, field observations, satellite imagery and geology of the study area indicate that the major factors which caused the landslide are the steep slope excavation along the developed tensional faults, the material in the slide ranging from talus deposits to interlayered peridotite and gabbro, cutting perpendicular to slope talus and removal of the toe of the slope. The slope failure and other stability concerns in the subsurface threatening the structural integrity of water storage infrastructure would not have arisen if the geology of the area had been carefully taken into account before the excavation phase. Landslide hazard assessment in the water tank area and its surrounding is necessary to manage the landslide risk. Proper measures should also be adopted to mitigate the impact and to avoid further failure in the slope already on the verge of movement by rainfall