ORCID Profile
0000-0003-2068-692X
Current Organisations
Tunis El Manar University
,
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2019.135177
Abstract: Along the past century, the Arabian Gulf has experienced a continuous and fast coastal development leading to increase the human pressures on the marine environment. The present study attempts to describe the historical changes of trace elements in the sediments of vegetated coastal habitats in the western Arabian Gulf.
Publisher: American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Date: 05-2018
DOI: 10.1029/2017JG004288
Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Date: 30-10-2020
Abstract: Exponentially increasing burial rates of microplastics since the 1950s confirm mangrove sediments as long-term sinks.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2019.01.437
Abstract: Massive consumption of petroleum since the past century has led to considerable emissions into marine ecosystems. Marine sediments may accumulate substantial quantities of petroleum and associated contaminants in oil-producing areas. Here, we report accelerated accumulation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in 'blue carbon' vegetated ecosystems of the Arabian Gulf - the world's most important region for oil production. In addition to increased accumulation with the onset of oil exploitation, sediment records reflect a large depositional event associated with the 1991 Gulf War, with the magnitude of these maxima varying across habitats, depending on their elevation along the shoreline. Blue carbon ecosystems of the Arabian Gulf currently bury about 2300 megagrams (Mg) of TPHs annually and have accumulated TPH stocks of 59,799 Mg over the past 25 years alone. Massive burial and sequestration of TPH by blue carbon ecosystems is an important, but thus far unrecognized, removal mechanism in the Arabian Gulf. Conserving these ecosystems is important to avoid possible remobilization of sequestered TPH into the surrounding environment.
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 03-2020
Abstract: Vegetated coastal ecosystems along the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf coasts of Saudi Arabia thrive in an extremely arid and oligotrophic environment, with high seawater temperatures and salinity. Mangrove, seagrass and saltmarsh ecosystems have been shown to act as efficient sinks of sediment organic carbon, earning these vegetated ecosystems the moniker ‘blue carbon’ ecosystems. However, their role as nitrogen and phosphorus (N and P) sinks remains poorly understood. In this study, we examine the capacity of blue carbon ecosystems to trap and store nitrogen and phosphorous in their sediments in the central Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. We estimated the N and P stocks (in 0.2 m thick-sediments) and accumulation rates (for the last century based on 210 Pb and for the last millennia based on 14 C) in mangrove, seagrass and saltmarsh sediments from eight locations along the coast of Saudi Arabia (81 cores in total). The N and P stocks contained in the top 20 cm sediments ranged from 61 g N m −2 in Red Sea seagrass to 265 g N m −2 in the Gulf saltmarshes and from 70 g P m −2 in Red Sea seagrass meadows and mangroves to 58 g P m −2 in the Gulf saltmarshes. The short-term N and P accumulation rates ranged from 0.09 mg N cm −2 yr −1 in Red Sea seagrass to 0.38 mg N cm −2 yr −1 in Gulf mangrove, and from 0.027 mg P cm −2 yr −1 in the Gulf seagrass to 0.092 mg P cm −2 yr −1 in Red Sea mangroves. Short-term N and P accumulation rates were up to 10-fold higher than long-term accumulation rates, highlighting increasing sequestration of N and P over the past century, likely due to anthropogenic activities such as coastal development and wastewater inputs.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 15-01-2021
DOI: 10.3389/FMARS.2020.603722
Abstract: For millennia, coastal and marine ecosystems have adapted and flourished in the Red Sea’s unique environment. Surrounded by deserts on all sides, the Red Sea is subjected to high dust inputs and receives very little freshwater input, and so harbors a high salinity. Coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and mangroves flourish in this environment and provide socio-economic and environmental benefits to the bordering coastlines and countries. Interestingly, while coral reef ecosystems are currently experiencing rapid decline on a global scale, those in the Red Sea appear to be in relatively better shape. That said, they are certainly not immune to the stressors that cause degradation, such as increasing ocean temperature, acidification and pollution. In many regions, ecosystems are already severely deteriorating and are further threatened by increasing population pressure and large coastal development projects. Degradation of these marine habitats will lead to environmental costs, as well as significant economic losses. Therefore, it will result in a missed opportunity for the bordering countries to develop a sustainable blue economy and integrate innovative nature-based solutions. Recognizing that securing the Red Sea ecosystems’ future must occur in synergy with continued social and economic growth, we developed an action plan for the conservation, restoration, and growth of marine environments of the Red Sea. We then investigated the level of resources for financial and economic investment that may incentivize these activities. This study presents a set of commercially viable financial investment strategies, ecological innovations, and sustainable development opportunities, which can, if implemented strategically, help ensure long-term economic benefits while promoting environmental conservation. We make a case for investing in blue natural capital and propose a strategic development model that relies on maintaining the health of natural ecosystems to safeguard the Red Sea’s sustainable development.
Publisher: IOP Publishing
Date: 27-06-2018
Location: Saudi Arabia
No related grants have been discovered for Lotfi Rabaoui.