Marine plastic debris in the Arabian/Persian Gulf: Challenges, opportunities and recommendations from a transdisciplinary perspective

In recent years, the amount of plastic waste entering the marine environment around the world has gained increasing attention. Yet certain areas and regions remain relatively undocumented. Research findings on this topic within the countries adjacent to the Arabian/Persian Gulf comprised of Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates is relatively sparse. Significant gaps remain regarding the precise details on the quantity, sources and impacts of plastic marine debris as well as appropriate management responses. This article addresses these shortcomings from a transdisciplinary perspective, drawing on science, engineering and law. Based on an analysis and overview of the scientific research on plastic pollution in the region, an estimate of mismanaged waste is developed, both on a national level as well as for selected coastal cities. The article then explores the applicable international and regional regulatory framework to address marine debris in the Arabian/Persian Gulf region. It provides one of the first accounts of this regional sea from a comprehensive marine litter regulatory perspective, incorporating scientific findings as well as modelling techniques. The article suggests possible ways to achieve synergies and cooperation among actors and proposes novel approaches on methods to address the problem with a view to the transboundary nature of the issue. The key to success lies in dedicated cooperative efforts within the region, both between the public and private sector and between government and civil society

Marine plastic debris in the Arabian/Persian Gulf: Challenges, opportunities and recommendations from a transdisciplinary perspective

In recent years, the amount of plastic waste entering the marine environment around the world has gained increasing attention. Yet certain areas and regions remain relatively undocumented. Research findings on this topic within the countries adjacent to the Arabian/Persian Gulf comprised of Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates is relatively sparse. Significant gaps remain regarding the precise details on the quantity, sources and impacts of plastic marine debris as well as appropriate management responses. This article addresses these shortcomings from a transdisciplinary perspective, drawing on science, engineering and law. Based on an analysis and overview of the scientific research on plastic pollution in the region, an estimate of mismanaged waste is developed, both on a national level as well as for selected coastal cities. The article then explores the applicable international and regional regulatory framework to address marine debris in the Arabian/Persian Gulf region. It provides one of the first accounts of this regional sea from a comprehensive marine litter regulatory perspective, incorporating scientific findings as well as modelling techniques. The article suggests possible ways to achieve synergies and cooperation among actors and proposes novel approaches on methods to address the problem with a view to the transboundary nature of the issue. The key to success lies in dedicated cooperative efforts within the region, both between the public and private sector and between government and civil society.Marine plastic debris in the Arabian/Persian Gulf: Challenges, opportunities and recommendations from a transdisciplinary perspectivepublishedVersio

Otosclerosis treatment with CO2 LASER. Our results

Otosclerosis is a progressive osteo-destructive disorder of the bony labyrinth in which the fixation of the stapes causes the hearing loss.The aim of our study was to assess the postoperative hearing results and the incidence of complications and compare them with the literature data.Methods: We studied 178 patients with conductive hearing loss caused by otosclerosis that underwent CO2 laser surgery at MMA Sofia for a period of 2 years.Results: The air-bone gap was closed to within 10 dB in 96.6%. No case of cochlear loss (>15 dB) occurred. The incidence of complications and tinnitus was very low.Conclusion: On the basis of the degree of postoperative hearing improvement, and the incidence of tinnitus and complications it can be concluded that the use of CO2 laser during stapedoplasty is an effective and safe method, justifying the high cost of the equipment.Der Erstautor gibt keinen Interessenkonflikt an