Civil 4130

Sohar University
Faculty of Engineering
Civil Engineering Program

Prepared By:
Abrar Al- Shibli
102540
Khalid Al Mawali
091500
Azza Al Toqi
090557
Samira Al Qayoudhi 100255
Shaima Al Kindy
100074
Asma Al Hamdani 100936

ALGAE

Outlines:
1. Algae definition
2.Type of Algae
3. Impact of Harmful Algal Bloom
4. Algae production

What is Algae?

Types of Algae

Planktonic algae

Filamentous algae

Attached-erect algae

Where do Algae grow

Impacts Of Harmful
Algal Bloom

1. Public Health Impacts

Human sickness and death from eating
tainted seafood results in lost wages
and work days. Costs of medical
treatment and investigation also are an
important part of the economic impact
caused by such events.

2. Recreation and Tourism impacts

algae can adversely affect recreation and
tourism in local areas by reduseing the
quality of the coastal environment
through: massive fish mortalities That lead
to dead fish accumulating on beaches, the
closure of recreational fisheries, the

3.Commercial fishery Impacts

Algae can affect commercial fisheries by
causing direct fish mortalities , causing
habitat loss leading to lower ecosystem
carrying capacity, forcing managers to
establish closures, increasing the costs of

Domestic case study:

HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM RESEARCH IN OMAN
LOCATION:

In the Sultanate of Oman with its coast line over 3000

km the losses reported for some years have accounted
hundred tons of dead fish [8]. Among the wide range of
temporal changes of physical, chemical, and biological
variables featuring the Omani coastal ecosystems, the
seasonal variability is one of the most pronounced.

 The

reason being is that seasonal changes are driven

by: a vigorous system of monsoonal winds.
The winter (Northeast) monsoon affects the region from
December to March.
The summer (Southwest) monsoon is developed from
June to September.
Omani ecosystems are subjected to different modes of
physical forcing.
The summer monsoon makes an upwelling along the
south-eastern coast facing the western Arabian Sea.

Figure 1: Dashed and dotted line demarcates the location of the Ras Al
Hadd frontal zone (1). Dashed lines (2-4) indicate direction of the main
currents (in summer through fall period). (2): inflow of the Indian Ocean
Water mass, (3): outflow of the (Arabian Gulf) Persian Gulf Water mass,
and (4): Oman Coastal Current(East Arabian Current).

WATER CURRENT FLOW WITHIN THE SEA OF

OMAN:
General circulation of the sea consists of three major components, represented by thermohaline-driven flows,
wind-driven flows, and mesoscale eddies [9,10]. Distinct differences in the origin of coastal currents (in the Sea of
Oman versus the western Arabian Sea, Figure 1) are complemented by differences in the formation of water
masses. In summer, for instance, the Sea of Oman is influenced by the outflow of high saline Gulf Water Mass
(along the Omani coast) and the inflow of less saline Indian Ocean Surface Water from the northernmost part of
the Arabian Sea (along the Pakistani coast). In the meantime, the coast overlooking the western Arabian Sea
faces the Oman Coastal Current (also known as the East Arabian Current) coming from the south-western part of
the Arabian Sea as the northward extension of the Somali Current [10]. The confluence of these two currents in
the region of promontory of Ras Al Hadd forms the frontal zone which acts as a liquid boundary cutting off in some
way the Sea of Oman from the open Arabian Sea [11].

CAUSES OF RED TIDE:

Sewage

outfalls
Industrial outfalls
Dredging
Animal farms
Fertilizer factories sources of nutrients(i.e. Nitrates and Phosphates)
Aquaculture
Air pollution
Oil pollution
Discharge of ballistic water
Seawater temperature
Climate change
Oxygen depletion

SUMMARY
ON THE GROWTH OF

HARMFUL
ALGAL BLOOM

World case study:

The freshwater and ocean blooms have been
found to be anthropogenic, directly caused by
nutrient pollution of nitrogen and phosphates
from agriculture and intensive animal farming
fertilizers, and household cleaning products.
An EPA report in 2013 concluded that
changing environmental conditions such as
more algae growth is associated with current
climate change, and may negatively impact
the environment, human health, and the
economy for communities around the world.

Why algae grow in Australia ?

* Availability of conditions
* High population.
The effects of the problem :
* Odour and unsightly scum.
* Human impacts.
* Cause major problems for water supplies.
* Cause economic problems.

Government solutions
Maintaining the flow of water in summer months.

Reduction nutrients entering waterway.

Investing in storm water management.

Develop a basin plan.

Algae
Production

Biodiesel From
Microalgae

Algae and Biodiesel

Algae

Biodiesel is a good replacement

for standard crop Biodiesels like soy and
canola
Up to 70% of algae biomass is usable
oils
Algae does not compete for land and
space with other agricultural crops
Algae can survive in water of high salt
content and use water that was
previously deemed unusable

What affects oil production?

Climate

Cold weather reduces algae oil production

Overcast days reduce sunlight and lower
oil production

Nutrients

Depletion of Nitrogen and Silicate

Controlling Nutrients
Nitrogen

Aids in cell division

Silicate

Aids in cell wall production

Depleting

Nutrients

Starving the algae of these two nutrients

reduce the rate of cell division
Oil production remains constant
Results in an increase in the oil to mass ratio

Three ways to produce

biodiesel :
Base

catalyzed transesterification with

alcohol.
Acid catalyzed esterification with
methanol.
Convert the oil to fatty acids. Then acid
catalyze to alkyl esters.

Base Catalyzed with

Alcohol
Most

common process
Most economical
Low pressure (20psi)
Low temperature (150oF)
No intermediate steps
High conversion rate (98%)

Algae production systems today and all the bio products they produce.
cosmeceuticals, skin creams, shampoos, cleansers and personal care
products. Algaes use as a natural bio fertilizer, aquaculture an animal
feed. Also included are algaes use for biofuel, bioplastics, green
chemicals and wastewater treatment.

Conclusion
Algea

cause severe economic impacts

Algae is a very efficient means of
producing biodiesel
The oil production from algae farms is
feasible and scalable
Further research necessary to unlock full
potential of algae