Date of Award

12-2014

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Geological and Environmental Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Mohamed Sultan

Second Advisor

Dr. Carla Koretsky

Third Advisor

Dr. R.V. Krishnamurthy

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Peter Voice

Keywords

Algal blooms, Kuwait Bay, remote sensing, MODIS, statistical models

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

The Kuwait Bay and its coastal waters are being threatened by a perpetual hazard, the proliferation of harmful algal blooms (HABS). The frequency of HAB occurrences is a growing problem that is only reported subsequent to the onset of a HAB event. Little effort has been invested in investigating the spatial and temporal distribution of these events in Kuwait Bay and even less is known about their controlling factors. All previous studies within the Kuwait Bay have focused either on measuring nutrient availability and the biodiversity of algal species.

The overall study objective is four-fold: (1) to monitor the spatial and temporal distribution of algal blooms in Kuwait Bay, (2) to monitor and detect toxic algal blooms in Kuwait’s coastal waters, (3) to develop a database that allows for archival, analysis, and dissemination of data and results, and (4) to identify the factors that promote HABs in the Kuwait Bay and which could be identified from remotely acquired data for the purpose of assisting in the development of an early warning system.

Comments

5th Advisor: Dr. Richard Becker

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