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Kawiyani R, Ben-Hasan A, Mohsen K, Almojil D. Status, threats, and conservation considerations of selected marine habitats and organisms in the Arabian/Persian Gulf. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 198:106556. [PMID: 38761491 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Many studies indicated that marine habitats and organisms in the Arabian/Persian Gulf ('Gulf') are broadly deteriorating. However, this likely results from the generalization of a few declining habitats or organisms in some locations. Here, we conduct a review to evaluate the status of selected habitats (mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs) and organisms (exploited bony fish, sharks, rays, dolphins, whales, and dugongs) and identify major threats to them in each Gulf country (except Iraq and Oman). We show that out of 52 habitats and organisms in the six countries, the predominant status (63.5%) is "Data-deficient", followed by "Decline" (21.2%) and "Increase-stable" (15.4%). The major threats to these habitats and organisms are coastal development, desalination plants, climate change, and fishing. However, our findings differentiate that some of these threats are causing severe degradation (i.e., have "Observed" impacts) while other threats, such as desalination plants, have potential impacts that are derived from laboratory experiments or modelling work. Our results can be used to guide conservation efforts in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Kawiyani
- Marine Science Department, College of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait.
| | | | - Kawthar Mohsen
- Marine Science Department, College of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait
| | - Dareen Almojil
- New York University Abu Dhabi, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Kumar V, Karam Q, Shajan AB, Al-Nuaimi S, Sattari Z, El-Dakour S. Transcriptome analysis of Sparidentex hasta larvae exposed to water-accommodated fraction of Kuwait crude oil. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3591. [PMID: 38351213 PMCID: PMC10864312 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53408-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities have been shown to significantly affect marine life. Water pollution and oil spills are particularly deleterious to the fish population, especially during their larval stage. In this study, Sobaity-sea bream Sparidentex hasta (Valenciennes, 1830) larvae were exposed to serial dilutions of water-accommodated fraction of Kuwait crude oil (KCO-WAF) for varying durations (3, 6, 24, 48, 72 or 96 h) in acute exposure regime. Gene expression was assessed using RNA sequencing and validated through RT-qPCR. The RNA sequencing data were aligned to the sequenced genome, and differentially expressed genes were identified in response to treatment with or without KCO-WAF at various exposure times. The highest number of differentially expressed genes was observed at the early time point of 6 h of post-exposure to KCO-WAF. The lowest number of differentially expressed genes were noticed at 96 h of treatment indicating early response of the larvae to KCO-WAF contaminant. The acquired information on the differentially expressed genes was then used for functional and pathway analysis. More than 90% of the differentially expressed genes had a significant BLAST match, with the two most common matching species being Acanthopagrus latus and Sparus aurata. Approximately 65% of the differentially expressed genes had Gene Ontology annotations, whereas > 35% of the genes had KEGG pathway annotations. The differentially expressed genes were found to be enriched for various signaling pathways (e.g., MAPK, cAMP, PI3K-Akt) and nervous system-related pathways (e.g., neurodegeneration, axon guidance, glutamatergic synapse, GABAergic synapse). Early exposure modulated the signaling pathways, while KCO-WAF exposure of larvae for a longer duration affected the neurodegenerative/nervous system-related pathways. RT-qPCR analysis confirmed the differential expression of genes at each time point. These findings provide insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of the deleterious effects of acute exposure to oil pollution-on marine fish populations, particularly at the early larval stage of Sparidentex hasta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinod Kumar
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait.
| | - Qusaie Karam
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Anisha B Shajan
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Sabeeka Al-Nuaimi
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Zainab Sattari
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Saleem El-Dakour
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box 24885, 13109, Safat, Kuwait
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Khalaji-Pirbalouty V, Al-Kandari MA. Three new species of temporary fish parasite, Gnathiid Isopods (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothoida) from Kuwait. Zootaxa 2023; 5383:24-38. [PMID: 38221263 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5383.1.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Gnathiid isopods (Crustacea) were collected between 2014 and 2022 from various sites in shallow waters of the Kuwait coasts. Three new species of gnathiids are described: Caecognathia alsalmiyah sp. nov. is characterised by the well-extended, distally pointed with three cusps supraocular lobe and the presence of pylopod with four articles; Elaphognathia alshumaimah sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by having an elongated, distally curved mandible, with a single pronounced conical internal lobe; Gnathia kuwaitensis sp. nov. is easily distinguished from the other species of the genus Gnathia by the conical mediofrontal process, which is slightly sunken and having pronounced superior frontolateral process, with median notch distally.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Manal Abdulrahman Al-Kandari
- Ecosystem-Based Management of Marine Resources; Environment and Life Sciences Research Center; Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research; Hamad Al-Mubarak Street; Building 900004; Area 1; Raas Salmiya; Kuwait.
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Araújo EP, de Abreu CHM, Cunha HFA, Brito AU, Pereira NN, da Cunha AC. Vulnerability of biological resources to potential oil spills in the Lower Amazon River, Amapá, Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:35430-35449. [PMID: 36529800 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24592-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Ships that transport oil or derivatives on the Lower Amazon River waterway are at a considerably high risk of suffering spills, with severe environmental and socioeconomic consequences. The present study is aimed at modeling and simulating the oil dispersion and magnitude of these accidents in terms of the vulnerability of biological resources, considering two oil types most often transported by medium-sized tankers in the region (S500 and S10). The study method was as follows: (a) secondary data were collected from local species, and the coastal sensitivity index (CSI) was calculated, obtained from Brazil's Letters of Environmental Sensitivity to Oil Spill (Cartas de Sensibilidade Ambiental ao Derramamento de Óleo (SAO)); (b) ship traffic information was obtained from Brazil's Statistical Yearbook of Waterway (Anuário Estatístico Aquaviário (ANTAQ)); (c) modeling and numerical simulation of oil spills in water were performed, in order to investigate dispersion scenarios (SisBaHia); (d) three numerical scenarios of oil plume dispersion (in May and November) were integrated to assess species vulnerability in three zones of environmental interest (I, II, and III). Some species identified in zone II were considered to be the most vulnerable (fish, plankton, aquatic mammals, amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, trees, and plants), with the mammal Sotalia fluviatilis being at risk of extinction (Gervais & Deville, 1853). The simulated scenarios showed that contingency plans should have a minimum response time of 3 h and a maximum response time of 72 h to prevent the oil plumes from dispersing as far as 170 km longitudinally, depending on the zone, season, and tidal phase. Thus, a total of 62 sites of biological resources were identified in the literature recorded from 2016. Considering them, 324 species of flora and fauna were recorded, distributed in the following seven groups: (i) 49 tree and plant species, (ii) 37 amphibian species, (iii) 2 aquatic invertebrate species, (iv) 23 invertebrate species, (v) 1 aquatic mammal species, (vi) 95 fish species, and (vii) 117 planktonic species. A failure to respond to these accidents would impact immense intact aquatic areas and ecosystems, with unpredictable consequences for local biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizandra Perez Araújo
- Graduate Program in Tropical Biodiversity (PPGBIO), Federal University of Amapá, Av. Padre Rinaldo Bossi 1153Amapá 68.904-383, Congós, Macapá, Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique Medeiros de Abreu
- Bionorte Graduate Program, Federal University of Amapá (UNIFAP), Macapá, 68903-419, Brazil
- Environmental Engineering School (CEAM), Amapá State University (UEAP), Macapá, 68900-070, Brazil
| | - Helenilza Ferreira Albuquerque Cunha
- Environment and Development Department, Federal University of Amapá, Jardim Marco Zero, Rodovia Josmar Chaves Pinto, km 02. S/NAmapá 66.900000, Macapá, Brazil
| | - Alaan Ubaiara Brito
- Electrical Engineering Department, Federal University of Amapá, Jardim Marco Zero, Rodovia Josmar Chaves Pinto, Km 02. S/NAmapá 66.900-000, Macapá, Brazil
| | - Newton Narciso Pereira
- Metallurgical Industrial School of Volta Redonda, Fluminense Federal University, Av. Workers, 420, Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alan Cavalcanti da Cunha
- Civil Engineering Department, Federal University of Amapá, Jardim Marco Zero, Rodovia Josmar Chaves Pinto, km 02. S/NAmapá 66.900000, Macapá, Brazil.
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Fawzi NAM, Fieseler CM, Helmuth B, Leitão A, Al-Ainsi M, Al Mukaimi M, Al-Saidi M, Al Senafi F, Bejarano I, Ben-Hamadou R, D’Addario J, Mohamed AMD, Giraldes BW, Glowka L, Johnson MD, Lyons BP, Mateos-Molina D, Marshall CD, Mohammed S, Range P, Shokri MR, Wong JMK, Pyenson ND. Diplomacy for the world’s hottest sea. Science 2022. [DOI: 10.1126/science.add1555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Clare M. Fieseler
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013, USA
| | - Brian Helmuth
- Coastal Sustainability Institute and School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Mehsin Al-Ainsi
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Al Mukaimi
- Department of Marine Science, College of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | | | - Fahad Al Senafi
- Department of Marine Science, College of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Ivonne Bejarano
- Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Radhouan Ben-Hamadou
- Environmental Science Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Ahmad Mujthaba Dheen Mohamed
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Lyle Glowka
- Biodiversity Strategies International, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Maggie D. Johnson
- Red Sea Research Center, Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Brett P. Lyons
- Weymouth Laboratory, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Weymouth, UK
| | | | - Christopher D. Marshall
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University, Galveston Campus, Galveston, TX 77554, USA
- Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | | | - Pedro Range
- Environmental Science Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Reza Shokri
- Department of Animal Sciences and Marine Biology, Faculty of Life Science and Biotechnology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - John M. K. Wong
- Aquatic Research Center, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nicholas D. Pyenson
- National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013, USA
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A bibliometric review on the implications of renewable offshore marine energy development on marine species. AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aaf.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Nithyanandan M, Al-Kandari M, Mantha G. New records of nudibranchs and a cephalaspid from Kuwait, northwestern Arabian Gulf (Mollusca, Heterobranchia). Zookeys 2021; 1048:91-107. [PMID: 34316265 PMCID: PMC8292272 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1048.66250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study five new records and two probably undescribed species of heterobranch sea slugs placed in four genera, three families, and two orders are reported from Kuwait, northwestern Arabian / Persian Gulf with details and photographs. The present study increases the heterobranch diversity in Kuwaiti waters from 35 to 40 species. The range of habitats in Kuwait provides a vital opportunity for further investigation to understand the actual faunal diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manickam Nithyanandan
- Ecosystem Based Management of Marine Resources, Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box.1638, Salmiya 22017, Kuwait Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research Salmiya Kuwait
| | - Manal Al-Kandari
- Ecosystem Based Management of Marine Resources, Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box.1638, Salmiya 22017, Kuwait Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research Salmiya Kuwait
| | - Gopikrishna Mantha
- Ecosystem Based Management of Marine Resources, Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, P.O. Box.1638, Salmiya 22017, Kuwait Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research Salmiya Kuwait
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Da Cunha AC, De Abreu CHM, Crizanto JLP, Cunha HFA, Brito AU, Pereira NN. Modeling pollutant dispersion scenarios in high vessel-traffic areas of the Lower Amazon River. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 168:112404. [PMID: 33933984 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Large ships are efficient in transporting oil and its derivatives. However, they can cause spills in the event of accidents. The aim of the study is to simulate oil dispersion processes in scenarios of likely accidents with ships traveling on sea routes interconnected with Amazonian ports and with the Atlantic Ocean. Navigation routes were based on traffic data to identify risk areas, as well as to compare them to data from the environmental (oil) sensitivity index and to results of numerical simulations of plumes dispersion. These three approaches were integrated to each other in order to assess potential environmental impacts of plumes on coastal biota and human populations. Scenarios results have indicated that the rainy season is the most critical period for plumes dispersion. But, depending on the emission point, plumes tend to remain close to the coast, extend up to 132 km within 72 h, affecting the biodiversity, protected areas and water supply systems from the urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Cavalcanti Da Cunha
- Civil Engineering Department, Federal University of Amapá, Graduate Program in Tropical Biodiversity (PPGBIO), Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences (PPGCA). Rodovia Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira, Km 02, 68902-280 Macapá, AP, Brazil.
| | - Carlos Henrique Medeiros De Abreu
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology (Bionorte), Federal University of Amapá, Rodovia Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira, Km 02, 68902-280 Macapá, AP. Environmental Engineering School (CEAM), Amapá State University (UEAP), Macapá-AP, 68900-070, Brazil..
| | - Jonathan Luz Pires Crizanto
- Graduate Program in Tropical Biodiversity (PPGBIO), Federal University of Amapá, Rodovia Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira, Km 02, 68902-280 Macapá, AP, Brazil.
| | - Helenilza Ferreira Albuquerque Cunha
- Environment and Development Department, Federal University of Amapá, Graduate Program in Tropical Biodiversity (PPGBIO), Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences (PPGCA). Rodovia Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira, Km 02, 68902-280 Macapá, AP, Brazil.
| | - Alaan Ubaiara Brito
- Electrical Engineering Department, Federal University of Amapá, Graduate Program in Environmental Sciences (PPGCA). Rodovia Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira, Km 02, 68902-280 Macapá, AP, Brazil.
| | - Newton Narciso Pereira
- Production Engineering Department, Industrial and Metallurgical Engineering School of Volta Redonda, Federal Fluminense University, Av. dos Trabalhadores 420 - Sala C77 - Vila Sta. Cecília, 27255-125 Volta Redonda, RJ, Brazil.
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Liu Y, Liu S, Wang F, Sun Y, Li M, Wang Q, Yu L. Responses of Habitat Quality and Animal Biodiversity to Grazing Activities on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.681775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Grazing activities perhaps lead to habitat quality degradation and animal biodiversity loss while the effects on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is still relatively poorly studied. Based on the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs model, geographical detector model and generalized linear mixed model, the responses of habitat quality and animal biodiversity to grazing activities at 5 km grid scale were analyzed. Results showed that the overall habitat quality on the QTP was high with 76.43% of the total area, and poor level accounted for 19.56%. High level habitat was mainly distributed in the southern part, while the poor level in the northern part. The mean grazing activity explanatory ability to habitat quality, bird species richness and mammal richness were 0.346, 0.430, and 0.354. The interaction effects between slope and grazing activities on habitat quality, bird species richness and mammal richness were the most important interaction effects, and the area affected by the interaction was 73.82, 46.00, and 46.17% of habitat quality, bird species richness and mammal richness, respectively. The interaction effects on habitat quality, bird species richness and mammal richness all showed “low in the northwest and high in the southeast”. Grazing activities and habitat quality had a positive correlation while bird species richness, and mammal richness negative correlations. The spatial relationship of grazing activities of habitat quality was “higher in the middle and lower around the periphery”, while the spatial distribution of grazing activities of bird species richness and mammal richness was “higher in the east and lower in the west”. This study explicitly revealed the responses of habitat quality and animal biodiversity to grazing activities, thus providing references for biodiversity conservation on the QTP.
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