MUSCAT : The projects, funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, will focus on coastal management, radiation levels, and indoor air quality.

The first project, awarded to Sultan Qaboos University, is titled ‘Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Sustainable Management of the Omani Coast: Sohar and Salalah Ports as a Case Study’.

This research will focus on implementing sustainable management practices for Omani coasts, particularly around Sohar and Salalah Ports. It includes a decision analysis to prioritize environmental factors such as biodiversity conservation and water quality management.

The second project, led by the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, is named ‘The Mysterious Energy Surrounding a Detailed Study of Natural Radiation Levels and Natural Radiation in the Sultanate of Oman and a New Investigation into the Health and Social Aspects of Radiation on the Population of the Sultanate of Oman’.

This study aims to establish a database on radiation exposure levels and develop guidelines to ensure safety. It will assess the impact of radiation on ecosystems and public health, focusing on the potential health risks and environmental effects of radiation exposure.

The third project, also from the University of Technology and Applied Sciences, is on ‘Measuring the Concentration of Radioactive Radon Gas and Radon Residues in the Sultanate of Oman and Its Impact on Health’.

This research will measure radon gas levels in indoor environments and evaluate their impact on health. It aims to improve indoor air quality and identify areas with high radon concentrations to protect public health and enhance environmental monitoring.

The fourth research project, undertaken by the National University of Science and Technology, is titled Revolutionizing the Sustainability of Special Economic Zones in the Sultanate of Oman: Valorization of Pollutant Streams for Products through a Biorefinery Based on Bioelectrochemical Systems’.

This initiative seeks to convert waste materials into valuable products using bioelectrochemical systems, aiming to maximize the value extracted from waste streams.

H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, highlighted the significance of these research projects. “These advanced projects address crucial environmental issues and will benefit from the expertise of both our team and the academic researchers. Each project is equipped with a technical team and a steering committee to ensure timely and effective results,” he stated.

The contracts were signed by His Excellency on behalf of the Environment Authority and by His Highness Sayyid Dr. Fahd bin Al Julanda Al Said, President of Sultan Qaboos University, H.E. Dr. Said bin Hamad Al Rubaie, President of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences; and Dr. Ali bin Saud Al Bimani, President of the National University of Science and Technology.

The research projects are expected to produce results within six months to a year, contributing valuable insights and solutions to pressing environmental challenges in Oman.

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