Muscat – The Environment Authority (EA) on Tuesday signed four research contracts with academic institutions to address the country’s critical environmental issues.

These projects, funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, are part of a strategic initiative to advance environmental research in Oman.

The contracts were signed by Dr Abdullah bin Ali al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, with top officials from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), and the National University of Science and Technology.

‘Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Sustainable Management of the Omani Coast: Sohar and Salalah Ports as a Case Study’ – one of the projects, led by SQU – aims to study various aspects of sustainable management of Oman’s coasts by focusing on factors like biodiversity and water quality, around the ports in Sohar and Salalah in particular.

Another project from SQU, ‘The Mysterious Energy Surrounding: A Detailed Study on Natural Radiation Levels in Oman’, will create a database to monitor radiation exposure across the country.

The findings will help develop guidelines to ensure that radiation levels are kept within safe limits so as to protect both the environment and public health.

The University of Technology and Applied Sciences is leading a study titled ‘Measuring the Concentration of Radioactive Radon Gas and Radon Compounds in Oman and Its Impact on Health’.

This research will assess indoor air quality by measuring radon gas concentrations, focusing on its potential link to lung cancer. The study will cover residential, commercial and industrial areas to help improve indoor air quality.

The fourth project, conducted by the National University of Science and Technology, is titled ‘Revolutionising the Sustainability of Special Economic Zones in Oman: Valorization of Pollutant Streams through a Bio-Refinery Based on Bio-Electrochemical Systems’.

This initiative aims to transform waste materials and pollutants into valuable products using innovative bio-refinery technologies.

EA chairman Amri emphasised the importance of these research projects, noting that they address pressing environmental issues in Oman.

He mentioned that experienced research teams from national universities will lead the projects, with close collaboration from the Environment Authority to ensure effective outcomes. Each project is expected to take between six months to a year to complete, with dedicated technical teams and steering committees overseeing their progress.

Dr Abdullah also highlighted that beach erosion, driven by climate change, sea level rise, and increased tropical conditions, remains a significant concern for Oman. The research projects aim to provide solutions that will help protect the country’s natural resources and ensure long-term sustainability.