Geochemistry of island arc assemblage in the Eastern Desert of Egypt and the role of Pan-African magmatism in crustal growth of the Arabian–Nubian Shield:A review

Neoproterozoic island arc assemblage of the Arabian–Nubian Shield(ANS)in the Eastern Desert(ED)of Egypt comprises juvenile suites of metavolcanics(MV),large amounts of meta-sedimentary rocks(MS),and voluminous metagabbros-diorites(MGD)and syn-tectonic intrusions of older granitoids(OG).We report here the updates of these four rock units in terms of classification,distribution,chemical characteristics,geodynamic evolution,metamorphism,and ages.In addition,we discuss these integrated data to elucidate a reasonable and reliable model for crustal evolution in the ANS.The main features of these rock units indicate their relation to each other and the geodynamic environment dominated by early immature oceanic island arcs to primitive continental arcs.Integrated information of the island arc metavolcanic and plutonic rocks(gabbros,diorites,tonalites,and granodiorites)furnish evidence of the genetic relationships.These include proximity and a coeval nature in the field;all protolith magmas are subalkaline in nature following calc-alkaline series with minor tholeiitic affinities;common geochemical signature of the arc rocks and subduction-related magmatism;their similar enrichment in LREEs;and similar major element compositions with mafic melts derived from metasomatized mantle wedge.The volcano-sedimentary and the OG rocks underwent multiphase deformation events whereas the MGD complexes deformed slightly.Based on the magmatic,sedimentological,and metamorphic evolutions constrained by geochronological data as well as the progressive evolutionary trend from extensional to compressional regimes,a possible gradual decrease in the subducted slab dip angle is the most infl uential in any geodynamic model for arc assemblage in the ED of Egypt.

Tonian–Ediacaran Tectonometamorphic History of the Sa'al Complex,Sinai(Egypt):Implications for the Tectonostratigraphic Framework of the Northern Arabian–Nubian Shield

The Sa'al Metamorphic Complex(SMC;southern Sinai)encompasses the oldest arc rocks in the Arabian–Nubian Shield,comprising two non-consanguineous metavolcanic successions(the Agramiya Group and the Post-Ra'ayan Formation)separated by the metasediments of the Ra'ayan Formation.It experienced three distinct deformational events(D_(1)–D_(3))and two low-medium grade regional metamorphic events(M_1–M_(2)).The Agramiya Group and the Ra'ayan Formation experienced all tectonometamorphic events(D_1–D_(3)and M_(1)–M_(2)),whereas the Post-Ra'ayan volcanic rocks were only affected by the D_(3)and M_(2)events.D_(1)is an extensional event and is connected to the late Rodinia break-up(~Tonian;900–870 Ma).The M_(1)metamorphism variably affected the older Agramiya Group,the rhyolitic tuffs experiencing lower to upper greenschist facies conditions and the basic and intermediate volcanic rocks undergoing amphibolite facies metamorphism.The Ra'ayan Formation metasediments experienced upper greenschist to amphibolite facies metamorphism.The upper greenschist facies M_(2)affected the youngest Post-Ra'ayan volcanic rocks and other stratigraphic successions.The compressive D_(2)and D_(3)events were coeval with the accretion of dismembered terranes in the assembly of Gondwana.D_(2)can be linked to the Tonian–Cryogenian arc-arc assembly(~880–760 Ma;in Elat and Sinai),whereas D_(3)and the accompanying M_(2)is constrained to 622–600 Ma(Ediacaran).

The Current Conservation Efforts and Future Prospects for the Endangered Nubian Ibex (Capra nubiana ibex) in Sudan

A comprehensive action plan for the conservation of the endangered species, the Nubian ibex in Sudan, can be developed by gaining a thorough understanding of their current status, conservation strategy, and relevant laws and regulations, as well as raising awareness about the importance of protecting endangered species. The Nubian ibex is listed as an endangered species on The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, highlighting the need for further research on population conservation efforts due to insufficient population data. To address this knowledge gap, a questionnaire was conducted with various stakeholders, including police officers, researchers, and lecturers, representing a diverse range of organizations and universities. The findings revealed that hunting is the primary factor contributing to endangerment. Mammals account for 80% of endangered species, while reptiles comprise less than one-tenth. Research centers are recognized as the main governing body, and 85% of participants are concerned about the declining population. Hunting accounted for less than half of the threats to the ibex population in Sudan, while habitat loss made up a quarter. Mining, climate change, human activity, and agriculture were also identified as risks. However, there were no plans, strategies, procedures, or measures in place to conserve the Nubian ibex. There were also no initiatives to preserve its biodiversity, and awareness about endangered species was lacking. Although participants believed that laws were effective in protecting the ibex, no licenses were issued for its conservation, and annual surveys were not conducted. Additionally, there were no recorded instances of Mukhalfat related to the Nubian ibex. In light of these findings, we propose various conservation measures to address these challenges. These measures include the implementation of laws and regulations, conducting annual surveys to monitor population trends, protecting habitats, establishing breeding and releasing programs, launching awareness campaigns, undertaking rehabilitation efforts, enhancing research efforts, and developing comprehensive conservation strategies. Additionally, it is crucial to foster cooperation among wildlife institutes to ensure the effective implementation of these conservation measures.

Analysis of Temperature Trends and Variations in the Arabian Peninsula’s Upper Atmosphere

In this study, the trends of upper-air temperatures are analysed by utilising radiosonde observations for the barometric levels at 700, 500, 300, 200, 150, 100 and 50 hPa from five meteorological stations within the Arabian Peninsula from January 1986 to August 2015. The mean monthly variations of the temperatures at these levels are characterised and established. The magnitudes of the annual trends of the mean temperatures for each site for the selected barometric levels are studied and statistically tested using Mann-Kendall rank statistics at different significance levels. The temperature trends at different pressure levels show that the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere are warming, while the middle troposphere is cooling which is consistent with the findings of other studies. The variations in upper air temperature observed in this study can be attributed to a range of factors, including increasing greenhouse gas concentrations, changes in atmospheric circulation patterns, variations in solar activity, aerosols and volcanic eruptions, and land use and land cover change.

Late Neoproterozoic adakitic magmatism of the eastern Arabian Nubian Shield

Late Neoproterozoic adakitic magmatism within the Eastern Arabian Nubian Shield has been dated at633.2±9.0 Ma(2σ).These magnas intrude the forearc Ad Dawadimi Basin,which is composed of metapelitic schists and greywacke along with ophiolitic melanges of boninitic affinity which underwent inversion and deformation by^620 Ma.This adakitic magmatism,while intruding parts of the Ad Dawadimi Basin,predates this deformation,but is possibly coincident with basin closure.As adakitic magmatism requires melting of an amphibolite or eclogitic source,empirical and experimental constraints require anomalously hot supra-subduction zone mantle.Considering that this magmatism immediately predates basin inversion,these magmas possibly pinpoint the timing of the slab breaking,marking the terminal stages of arc magmatism,terrane accretion and the influx of hot oceanic asthenospheric mantle.This influx of hot asthenospheric mantle may also be responsible for postcolltsional A-type magmatism.

Transpressive Structures in the Ghadir Shear Belt, Eastern Desert, Egypt: Evidence for Partitioning of Oblique Convergence in the Arabian-Nubian Shield during Gondwana Agglutination

Transpressional deformation has played an important role in the late Neoproterozoic evolution of the ArabianNubian Shield including the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt.The Ghadir Shear Belt is a 35 km-long,NW-oriented brittleductile shear zone that underwent overall sinistral transpression during the Late Neoproterozoic.Within this shear belt,strain is highly partitioned into shortening,oblique,extensional and strike-slip structures at multiple scales.Moreover,strain partitioning is heterogeneous along-strike giving rise to three distinct structural domains.In the East Ghadir and Ambaut shear belts,the strain is pure-shear dominated whereas the narrow sectors parallel to the shear walls in the West Ghadir Shear Zone are simple-shear dominated.These domains are comparable to splay-dominated and thrust-dominated strike-slip shear zones.The kinematic transition along the Ghadir shear belt is consistent with separate strike-slip and thrustsense shear zones.The earlier fabric(S1),is locally recognized in low strain areas and SW-ward thrusts.S2 is associated with a shallowly plunging stretching lineation(L2),and defines^NW-SE major upright macroscopic folds in the East Ghadir shear belt.F2 folds are superimposed by^NNW–SSE tight-minor and major F3 folds that are kinematically compatible with sinistral transpressional deformation along the West Ghadir Shear Zone and may represent strain partitioning during deformation.F2 and F3 folds are superimposed by ENE–WSW gentle F4 folds in the Ambaut shear belt.The sub-parallelism of F3 and F4 fold axes with the shear zones may have resulted from strain partitioning associated with simple shear deformation along narrow mylonite zones and pure shear-dominant deformation in fold zones.Dextral ENEstriking shear zones were subsequently active at ca.595 Ma,coeval with sinistral shearing along NW-to NNW-striking shear zones.The occurrence of upright folds and folds with vertical axes suggests that transpression plays a significant role in the tectonic evolution of the Ghadir shear belt.Oblique convergence may have been provoked by the buckling of the Hafafit gneiss-cored domes and relative rotations between its segments.Upright folds,fold with vertical axes and sinistral strike-slip shear zones developed in response to strain partitioning.The West Ghadir Shear Zone contains thrusts and strikeslip shear zones that resulted from lateral escape tectonics associated with lateral imbrication and transpression in response to oblique squeezing of the Arabian-Nubian Shield during agglutination of East and West Gondwana.

Glaucoma among Saudi Arabian population:a scoping review

Despite its high risk of leading to permanent visual dysfunction,glaucoma remains underdiagnosed in primary care settings.About 11%of glaucoma patients in Saudi Arabia end up with bilateral blindness.This scoping review investigates and presents results on the glaucoma profile,including its prevalence,knowledge,attitude,and practice of Saudi Arabians towards the disease.An online search using four databases through online software(www.rayyan.ai)was performed to extract the relevant articles.Out of 76 records,21 articles were eligible for the analysis.All included studies were published between the years 2014 and 2022.Most studies were in Riyadh city,followed by Jeddah.All participants(n=11388)were adults>18 years old,and male participants were generally higher than females.The findings showed poor knowledge of glaucoma among the general population,while the knowledge among glaucoma patients was acceptable.The attitude was positive,while the compliance and practice were fair.More educational programs about glaucoma,its risk to the eyes,and the overall quality of life are highly recommended.

Three-Dimensional Climatological Structures of the Arabian Sea Eddies and Eddy-Induced Flux

This study explores the spatial structure and transport characteristics of eddies in the Arabian Sea(AS)using Argo profiles and satellite measurements.The majority of eddies occur in the northern AS,especially along its northeastern boundary.In contrast,the western AS had a relatively higher eddy kinetic energy compared to the eastern part.Particularly,the strongest energetic eddies were present in the Somali Current system.The composite results revealed the evident thermohaline anomalies caused by cyclonic eddies(CEs)and anticyclonic eddies(AEs)in the upper 300m layers.The anomalous temperature structure within CEs and AEs showed a dominant dipole structure in the near-surface layer and a monopole structure below,with maximum temperature anomalies of approximately−0.8℃and+1.0℃located at depths of 100–150m,respectively.The composited salinity structures for CEs and AEs exhibited monopole vertical structures and sandwich-like patterns.For AEs,large positive salinity anomalies occurred at subsurface layers of 60–180 m with a peak value of about 0.07,and weak negative values were observed above 60m and below 180 m.A similar vertical structure but with an opposite sign operates for CEs.The composited CE and AE caused an equatorward salt flux with values of−8.1×10^(4)and−2.2×10^(4)kg s^(−1),respectively.CEs caused an equatorward heat flux of−7.7×10^(11)W,and AEs induced a poleward flux of 1.5×1011 W.

Characteristics and mechanisms of the intraseasonal variability of sea surface salinity in the southeastern Arabian Sea during 2015-2020

Based on Soil Moisture Active Passive sea surface salinity(SSS)data from April 2015 to August 2020,combined with Objectively Analyzed Air-Sea Heat Flux and other observational data and Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model(HYCOM)data,this work explores the characteristics and mechanisms of the intraseasonal variability of SSS in the southeastern Arabian Sea(SEAS).The results show that the intraseasonal variability of SSS in the SEAS is very significant,especially the strongest intraseasonal signal in SSS,which is located along the northeast monsoon current(NMC)path south of the Indian Peninsula.There are remarkable seasonal differences in intraseasonal SSS variability,which is very weak in spring and summer and much stronger in autumn and winter.This strong intraseasonal variability in autumn and winter is closely related to the Madden-Julian Oscillation(MJO)event during this period.The northeast wind anomaly in the Bay of Bengal(BOB)associated with the active MJO phase strengthens the East India Coastal Current and NMC and consequently induces more BOB low-salinity water to enter the SEAS,causing strong SSS fluctuations.In addition,MJO-related precipitation further amplifies the intraseasonal variability of SSS in SEAS.Based on budget analysis of the mixed layer salinity using HYCOM data,it is shown that horizontal salinity advection(especially zonal advection)dominates the intraseasonal variability of mixed layer salinity and that surface freshwater flux has a secondary role.

Correlation Between the Arabian Sea Surface Temperature and the Onset Period of South Asian Summer Monsoon with Trend Analysis on the Intensity

The long-term trend of the Arabian Sea surface temperature(ASST)during the formation of the South Asian summer monsoon(SASM)is discussed in this manuscript.From April to June,ASST changed from a meridional gradual distribution to a spatially uniform distribution and then to a zonal gradual distribution.The South Asian summer monsoon intensity(SASMI)and South Asian summer monsoon direction(SASMD)indicate that the variation of the ASST is highly related to the formation of the SASM during the summer monsoon period and can contribute to the spread of the SASM from the Southwest Arabian Sea throughout all of South Asia.Results of the correlation between the ASST and SASMI for the same month and its adjacent months were the same,and the areas of the positive correlation between the ASST and SASMI significantly increased from May–June as compared to April–May.The maximum correlation coefficient was 0.86.The results of the ASST and SASMD for the same month and its adjacent months were substantially different.However,the ASST and SASMD for May and April also showed a high positive correlation with a maximum correlation coefficient of 0.61 in the southwestern Arabian Sea.Existence of the ASST had a spatially consistent and significant upward trend with a mean increase of 0.6℃during the summer monsoon period from 1980 to 2020(between April and September),whereas the SASMI had a strengthening trend along the western and southwestern regions of the Arabian Sea and the southeastern region of the Arabian Peninsula.Meanwhile,the rest of the study regions showed a declining trend.Overall,the entire study region showed a slight downward trend,and the average value decreased by 0.02ms^(−1).

努比亚山羊Rheb基因克隆、生物信息学分析及真核表达载体构建

【目的】研究旨在对努比亚山羊大脑富集Ras同源物(Ras homolog enriched in brain,Rheb)基因进行克隆和分析,并构建其真核表达载体,为进一步揭示Rheb对努比亚山羊骨骼肌调控的分子机理奠定基础。【方法】试验采用RT-PCR方法从努比亚山羊背最长肌组织中扩增Rheb基因,经琼脂糖凝胶电泳及测序验证正确后进行生物信息学分析,同时构建该基因真核表达载体,转染细胞后进行实时荧光定量PCR检测来验证所构建载体的正确性。【结果】努比亚山羊Rheb基因编码区序列长度为555 bp,编码184个氨基酸,Rheb蛋白分子式为C 910 H 1456 N 236 O 279 S 6,分子质量为20359.34 u,原子总数为2887,理论等电点为5.93。Rheb蛋白属于稳定的亲水性蛋白,不包含跨膜结构域。蛋白二级结构预测结果显示,努比亚山羊Rheb蛋白中α-螺旋、β-转角、延伸链和无规则卷曲分别占40.76%、7.07%、22.83%和29.35%。构建的真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-Rheb转染山羊骨骼肌细胞后,与空载体组相比,Rheb基因表达量极显著升高(P<0.01)。【结论】本试验成功克隆努比亚山羊Rheb基因编码区序列,并构建pcDNA3.1-Rheb真核表达载体,这为深入理解Rheb基因在努比亚山羊肌肉中的作用提供了理论支持。

90 kaBP以来阿拉伯海中部海域沉积物来源及沉积过程

通过对阿拉伯海中部AS06-13岩芯的地球化学特征、黏土矿物组成特征分析,结合有孔虫壳体AMS14C年龄和氧同位素数据建立的年代框架,探讨了阿拉伯海中部海域沉积物的来源及沉积过程。结果显示:AS06-13岩芯涵盖了阿拉伯海90 kaBP以来的沉积序列,平均沉积速率为2.34 cm/ka;稀土元素含量为64~194μg/g,平均值为114μg/g,δEu(平均值为0.71)负异常显著;黏土矿物主要由伊利石(平均含量为56%)、坡缕石(平均含量为18%)、绿泥石(平均含量为15%)、高岭石(平均含量为8%)和蒙脱石(平均含量为2%)组成。球粒陨石标准化的稀土元素配分曲线表现为轻稀土元素富集,重稀土元素亏损的右倾模式,表明研究区沉积物以陆源碎屑为主,通过δEuUCC-(La/Yb)UCC判别图进一步将90 kaBP以来阿拉伯海中部海域沉积物来源变化划分为3个阶段:S1阶段(90~73 kaBP)研究区主要接受印度河入海物质和阿拉伯半岛风尘物质的输入;S2阶段(73~11 kaBP)仍然以印度河和阿拉伯半岛风尘的物质输入为主,但逐渐受到印度半岛的片麻岩区物质的影响;S3阶段(11~0 kaBP)主要接受来自印度河的河流沉积物、阿拉伯半岛风尘、印度半岛的片麻岩区和德干高原物质的共同沉积。坡缕石含量和高岭石/伊利石比值指示90 kaBP以来阿拉伯海中部海域沉积物的陆源物质输入和沉积演化主要受季风和海平面的共同控制,西南季风的减弱和海平面下降导致印度河、德干高原物质对研究区的输入量增多,东北季风的增强和西北风相对增强使阿拉伯半岛的风尘输入增加;全新世海平面快速上升使输入阿拉伯海的河流沉积物急剧减少。

Assessment of groundwater suitability for different activities in Toshka district,south Egypt

Globally,groundwater has globally emerged as a crucial freshwater source for domestic,irrigation,and industrial needs.The evaluation of groundwater quality in the Toshka region is imperative to ensure its suitability for the extensive agricultural and industrial activities underway in this promising,groundwater-dependent development area.This is particularly significant as Egypt increasingly relies on groundwater reserves to address freshwater deficits and to implement mega-development projects in barren lands.In this study,fifty-two samples were collected from the recently drilled wells tapping into the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer(NSA)in the Toshka region.Groundwater quality was assessed through hydrochemical analysis,Piper diagram,and various indicators such as Na%,SAR,RSC,KR,MH and PI.The hydrochemical analysis revealed improved groundwater quality characteristics,attributed to continuous recharge from Lake Nasser.The Piper diagram categorised most of the water samples as"secondary salinity"water type.Almost all wells proved suitable for irrigation with only two wells unsuitable based on MH values and six wells based on KR values.Considering Total Hardness(TH)values,all samples were classified as"Soft",indicating their suitability for domestic and industrial purposes.Water Quality Index(WQI)results concluded that all samples met WHO and FAO guidelines for drinking and irrigation,respectively.Spatial distribution maps,constructed using GIS,facilitate the interpretation of the results.Regular monitoring of quality parameters is essential to detect any deviation from permissible limits.

Slaughtering Performance and Meat Quality of Hainan Black Goat and Its Hybrid Offsprings with Nubian Black Goat

In order to compare the slaughter performance and meat quality of Hainan black goats and hybrid offsprings of Nubian Black Goat and Hainan Black Goat, six 7-month-old Hainan black goats and six hybrid offsprings were selected to determine slaughter performance and muscle quality. The results showed that hybridization of Nubian black goat and Hainan black goat significantly improved the production performance and slaughter performance of hybrid offsprings (P>0.05). The meat quality of F1 hybrid black goat had no significant difference with that of Hainan black goat except for the hardness and elasticity (P<0.05). Therefore, the crossbred progenies of Nubian black goat and Hainan black goat have advantages in meat yield and meat performance, and the main meat quality indexes are not significantly different, which meets the market requirements for high-yield and high-quality hybrid combinations, and can be used for cross promotion.

Morphometric Analysis of Drainage Basins in the Western Arabian Peninsula Using Multivariate Statistics

The uplift of the Arabian Shield and the opening of the Red Sea led to the development of steep drainage systems in the Western Arabian Peninsula. Although the Peninsula has been studied from a geological perspective, in relation to oil production, plate tectonics and eolian systems such as sand dunes, the steep mountainous drainage basins have received much less attention. This paper aims to assess the characteristics and development of 36 drainage basins in the Western Arabian Peninsula, using a digital elevation model (DEM), principal component analysis (PCA), and hierarchical cluster analysis (CA). Three major principal components (PC1 to PC3) are found to explain 73% of total variance. CA divided the basins into two or four groups. The division by CA strongly reflects PC1, showing that the two analyses give comparable results. PC1 strongly reflects basin dimensions and drainage texture, and their positive correlations indicate the significant effect of basin relief and slope on mass wasting and limited stream incision in small basins under an arid climate. PC2 mainly reflects the effect of bedrock geology, suggesting that volcanic rocks tend to produce more elongated and less eroded immature basins than crystalline rocks do. PC3 mainly reflects the basin relief and slope and the length of each stream segment, which may also reflect the effect of mass wasting on stream development.

Upper ocean high resolution regional modeling of the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal

In this paper, effort is made to demonstrate the quality of high-resolution regional ocean circulation model in realistically simulating the circulation and variability properties of the northern Indian Ocean(10°S–25°N,45°–100°E) covering the Arabian Sea(AS) and Bay of Bengal(BoB). The model run using the open boundary conditions is carried out at 10 km horizontal resolution and highest vertical resolution of 2 m in the upper ocean.The surface and sub-surface structure of hydrographic variables(temperature and salinity) and currents is compared against the observations during 1998–2014(17 years). In particular, the seasonal variability of the sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity, and surface currents over the model domain is studied. The highresolution model's ability in correct estimation of the spatio-temporal mixed layer depth(MLD) variability of the AS and BoB is also shown. The lowest MLD values are observed during spring(March-April-May) and highest during winter(December-January-February) seasons. The maximum MLD in the AS(BoB) during December to February reaches 150 m (67 m). On the other hand, the minimum MLD in these regions during March-April-May becomes as low as 11–12 m. The influence of wind stress, net heat flux and freshwater flux on the seasonal variability of the MLD is discussed. The physical processes controlling the seasonal cycle of sea surface temperature are investigated by carrying out mixed layer heat budget analysis. It is found that air-sea fluxes play a dominant role in the seasonal evolution of sea surface temperature of the northern Indian Ocean and the contribution of horizontal advection, vertical entrainment and diffusion processes is small. The upper ocean zonal and meridional volume transport across different sections in the AS and BoB is also computed. The seasonal variability of the transports is studied in the context of monsoonal currents.

Comparison of summer chlorophyll a concentration in the South China Sea and the Arabian Sea using remote sensing data

The South China Sea(SCS) and the Arabian Sea(AS) are both located roughly in the north tropical zone with a range of similar latitude(0°–24°N). Monsoon winds play similar roles in the upper oceanic circulations of the both seas. But the distinct patterns of chlorophyll a(Chl a) concentration are observed between the SCS and the AS.The Chl a concentration in the SCS is generally lower than that in the AS in summer(June–August); the summer Chl a concentration in the AS shows stronger interannual variation, compared with that in the SCS; Moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer(MODIS)-derived data present higher atmospheric aerosol deposition and stronger wind speed in the AS. And it has also been found that good correlations exist between the index of the dust precipitation indicated by aerosol optical thickness(AOT) and the Chl a concentration, or between wind and Chl a concentration. These imply that the wind and the dust precipitation bring more nutrients into the AS from the sky, the sub-layer or coast regions, inducing higher Chl a concentration. The results indicate that the wind velocity and the dust precipitation can play important roles in the Chl a concentration for the AS and the SCS in summer. However aerosol impact is weak on the biological productivity in the west SCS and wind-induced upwelling is the main source.

Chemical composition of essential oil of Thymus vulgaris collected from Saudi Arabian market

Objective: To focus on the analysis of chemical constituents of the Thymus vulgaris L.(locally known as "Zaitra" or "Za'atar"; Family: Lamiaceae) which is available in the market of Saudi Arabia.Methods: The Zaitra oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mass spectra were compared with the standard spectra available in National Institute Standard and Technique library.Results: The results indicated that the Thymus oil is composed of many chemical compounds including a pinene, thymol and caryophyllene which are biologically active and also used in various diseases.Conclusions: It can be concluded that the Thymus vulgaris due to presence of many bioactive compounds can be used as a new potential source of medicine for the treatment of various types of illness.

Watershed Characterization of Wadi Aurnah, Western Arabian Peninsula

The Western part of Arabian Peninsula constitutes a shield-like mega-structure, in which mountain chains are oriented in the NW-SE direction. Along this mountainous region, surface runoff is almost diverted to-wards the Red Sea in the west. Thus, several catchment topographic units exist to capture rainfall water among them. Even tough, the precipitation rate in the Western part of Arabian Peninsula is low (i.e. <200mm), yet a number of drainage systems occur and reveal empirical stream networking. However, stud-ies belong to the watersheds located in the Western part of Arabian Peninsula are still rare and sometimes they show erroneous morphological characterization, notably in the catchments delineation. This is attributed mainly to the complicated drainage pattern, which is structurally-controlled. Thus, related morphological and hydrological studied obtained on these drainage systems reveal discreditable results and measures. This study aims to characterize Wadi Aurnah Watershed (~3113 km2), which comprises a typical catchment in the Western part of Arabian Peninsula. In addition to topographic maps, remotely sensed data (ASTER and IKONOS satellite images) were utilized to delineate water divides with the most precision. Consequently, relevant morphological and hydrological characteristics of Aurnah watershed were obtained.

THE WARMING MECHANISM IN THE SOUTHERN ARABIAN SEA DURING THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIAN OCEAN DIPOLE EVENTS

This study aims to explore the relative role of oceanic dynamics and surface heat fluxes in the warming of southern Arabian Sea and southwest Indian Ocean during the development of Indian Ocean Dipole(IOD) events by using National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research(NCEP/NCAR) daily reanalysis data and Global Ocean Data Assimilation System(GODAS) monthly mean ocean reanalysis data from 1982 to2013,based on regression analysis,Empirical Orthogonal Function(EOF) analysis and combined with a 21/2layer dynamic upper-ocean model.The results show that during the initial stage of IOD events,warm downwelling Rossby waves excited by an anomalous anticyclone over the west Indian Peninsula,southwest Indian Ocean and southeast Indian Ocean lead to the warming of the mixed layer by reducing entrainment cooling.An anomalous anticyclone over the west Indian Peninsula weakens the wind over the Arabian Sea and Somali coast,which helps decrease the sea surface heat loss and shallow the surface mixed layer,and also contributes to the sea surface temperature(SST) warming in the southern Arabian Sea by inhibiting entrainment.The weakened winds increase the SST along the Somali coast by inhibiting upwelling and zonal advection.The wind and net sea surface heat flux anomalies are not significant over the southwest Indian Ocean.During the antecedent stage of IOD events,the warming of the southern Arabian Sea is closely connected with the reduction of entrainment cooling caused by the Rossby waves and the weakened wind.With the appearance of an equatorial easterly wind anomaly,the warming of the southwest Indian Ocean is not only driven by weaker entrainment cooling caused by the Rossby waves,but also by the meridional heat transport carried by Ekman flow.The anomalous sea surface heat flux plays a key role to damp the warming of the west pole of the IOD.