Abu Dhabi Area Research Articles

Transforming urban industrial landscapes through art tourism – a gentrification aesthetics model from Abu Dhabi’s case

Purpose This paper aims to explore the opinions of business owners in an industrial area of Abu Dhabi that could be potentially turned into an art tourism destination. Design/methodology/approach By mobilizing the concept of “gentrification aesthetics,” the authors use a recall technique to explore support toward art from business owners, regression analyses to understand how the type and content of art predicts gentrification support and chi-square to research the differences between respondents who support the area to become a creative place and those who do not. Findings A model that explains the connection between gentrification aesthetics and art tourism is presented. Research limitations/implications The authors’ proposed model results from testing the possibilities for expanding art tourism specifically and may not apply to other types of tourism. Future research is needed to understand whether and how the model can be applied to other forms of tourist consumption. Practical implications The current research presents a case study on how tourism can be strategically expanded into more rural places in a city. Social implications The authors found significant differences between respondents who would like to see Mussafah becoming a creative place in five years and those who believe Mussafah needs to be(come) something else. Originality/value While work on tourism gentrification has been conducted, the nexus between gentrification aesthetics and art tourism cannot be found. Their relation can help to expend (art) tourism from busy cultural attractions to industrial areas. The present research fills this gap.

Effects of groundwater and distilled water on the durability of evaporitic rocks

Evaporitic rock durability induced by groundwater cause several construction challenges, but representative experimental studies to evaluate such conditions are still missing. Therefore, this study intended to provide better and more realistic degradability features of evaporites with groundwater besides a comparison with distilled water as slaking fluids. Forty-eight evaporitic rock blocks were collected from Abu Dhabi area, United Arab Emirates. 96 slake durability index (SDI) tests were performed, 48 with each of the slaking fluids; groundwater and distilled water, and their textural, mineralogical, and geochemical attributes were also examined before and after the SDI tests. In comparison to mineralogical and textural modifications, slaking fluid had a greater impact on the chemical composition of evaporitic rock. The study shows that the degradability of evaporites with groundwater and distilled water indicates a wide range from very low to high. The mean weight loss values after four cycles with groundwater and distilled water vary from 11 to 77 and from 4 to 81 wt.%, respectively. Consequently, slaking with groundwater illustrates a wide range compared to the slaking with distilled water. This could be due to quick interactions between groundwater and evaporites and fast hydration-dehydration process than distilled water due to the chemical composition of the groundwater. It is recommended to investigate the attributes of evaporitic rocks as well as groundwater geochemistry for safe, cost-effective, and sustainable structures.

Slaking behavior of evaporitic rocks from Abu Dhabi area, United Arab Emirates

Slaking behavior of rocks is an essential indicator of their ability to resist degradation and is commonly assessed via the second cycle of slake durability index (Id2, SDI) test. In Abu Dhabi area, the evaporitic rocks commonly extend from the near surface to several meters depth, so that they lie at the foundation level of buildings and other infrastructures. Evaporites pose significant challenges for the construction sectors due to the easily degradable nature of these rocks. This study presents new and definitive data for evaporites that provides essential information for the construction businesses, engineers, and decision makers. Eighty-six rock blocks from eleven locations were collected. A representative sample of each block was extracted for slake durability testing. Samples were prepared and tested according to ASTM standards. Before and after the slaking process, the mineralogical composition and characteristic textures of the samples were examined in petrographic thin section and via XRD (X-ray diffraction), XRF (X-ray fluorescence), and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) analyses. Based on multiple cycling, Id1 to Id4, the slake test data for evaporitic rocks from Abu Dhabi indicate high to very low values. The weight loss values from the first to the fourth cycle (Id1–Id4) of all samples lie in the range 40 to 93 wt%. This is attributed to chemical and mineralogical properties of the evaporites, which allow rapid development of hydration-dehydration effects. The evaluation of the slaking behavior of evaporitic rocks provides explanations for durability problems associated with these rocks in the study area and elsewhere.

Sustainable Open Public Spaces: Place Making Strategy for the Breakwater “Al Kaser”, Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Vision 2030 revolves around sustainable development and seeks to raise the standard of living across the Emirate. Parks are one of the important tools to generate Abu Dhabi vision, where it acts as the collection point of all varieties of people. Aware of the important demand of proper Parks, Abu Dhabi Municipality, is seeking to adopt park’s facelift to remedy to some weaknesses appearing in a majority of Abu Dhabi parks to raise the quality and the liveability of these open urban spaces. This paper will study a potential sustainable public open space in the country, the case of Abu Dhabi Breakwater (Al Kaser). This space holds a great historical value and has an exceptional location where individuals can enjoy the skyline of the city over the water edge, taking in the picturesque views and cultural fascinations. The aim of this paper is to propose a new framework for developing a vibrant public open space including new and unconventional cultural activities in the area of Abu Dhabi. By presenting a literature review supported by case studies, place making strategies and a site analysis of Al Kaser, the paper reaches a sustainable retrofit conceptual Master Plan proposal of the breakwater. Taking into consideration the social, economic and environmental factors of the proposed design is the key to a sustainable outcome.

Laboratory simulation of the influence of groundwater rise and drip irrigation on the settlement of a sample of collapsible desert soil

Most types of sand have low susceptibility to settlement when in dry, dense and well-graded states but certain sands, when saturated, exhibit a decrease in suction and tensile strength hence leading to a sudden decrease in volume. Such sands are known as collapsible soils and require special consideration because their behaviour cannot be assessed using conventional settlement analysis methods. Irrigated landscapes overlying collapsible strata have caused settlement problems and infrastructure damage in Abu Dhabi area. Using borehole samples from the area, the present work simulates the settlement response of the collapsible sand when sandwiched between two other layers inside a metal mould and loaded with a constant surcharge pressure while varying water infiltration rates and static water levels. The primary goal of the research is to develop relationships for estimating settlement due to collapsible strata by taking into account layer thicknesses, groundwater table and irrigation intensity and duration.

Environmental determinants of previtamin D synthesis in the United Arab Emirates.

ABSTRACTDespite abundant sunshine throughout the year, vitamin D deficiency is endemic in the UAE. Solar radiation within the UVB range of the spectrum is required for the photosynthesis of previtamin D3 in the skin. Atmospheric transmission of UVB is strongly influenced by atmospheric conditions and solar zenith angle. We investigated the effects of diurnal and seasonal variation on the availability of sufficient UVB radiation for adequate previtamin D3 synthesis using an established in vitro model. Borosilicate ampoules of 7-dehydrocholesterol, the precursor of previtamin D3, in ethanol (50 µg/mL) were exposed to direct sunlight in an urban area of Abu Dhabi, at one hourly intervals between 0800 and 1700, on one day of each month over a period of one year. Conversion to previtamin D3, vitamin D3 and metabolically inactive photoisomers was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. The efficiency of 7-dehydrocholesterol conversion to previtamin D3 varied estimated UVB intensity. At the latitude of Abu Dhabi (24.2 N) previtamin D3 synthesis can occur throughout the year. However very little if any previtamin D3 was produced before 0900 hrs.and after 1600 hrs. Local conditions in Abu Dhabi are likely sufficient to maintain vitamin D levels throughout the year given adequate sun exposure.

Trace Metals Contamination of Bottom Sediments of Abu Dhabi Area, UAE

Seventy nine bottom sediment samples were collected from Abu Dhabi area from Ghantoout area in the north east from Abu Al Abyad island to determine the regional distribution of concentration of trace metals and pollution levels in the studied area. In general, a negative correlation has been reported between trace metals concentration and total organic matter with the exception of Cu, Zn, Co and Cr. A negative relation between trace metals concentrations and carbonate content was also found in the area of study. The present study focuses on the levels of copper, lead, iron, manganese, nickel, cadmium, zinc and vanadium in order to assess the extent of the environmental pollution and to discuss the origin of these contaminants in the sediments. The average concentrations of copper, zinc, lead, iron, manganese nickel, cadmium and vanadium are 4.65, 11.94, 1.91, 2800, 92.26, 10.55, 0.082 and 11.43 g/g respectively. These values are within the permitted levels in the marine activity areas and industrial activity areas, which means that trace metals are not derived from the pollutant sources.

Distribution of heavy metals in the coastal area of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates

Fifty-seven sediment samples were collected from Abu Dhabi coastal area, United Arab Emirates (UAE). The concentrations of heavy metals including antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, cobalt, copper, mercury, lead, molybdenum, nickel and zinc were obtained using Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectroscopy (ICP–MS) and X-ray fluorescence. Heavy metal contaminations in Abu Dhabi had increased since 2004. Nevertheless, the enrichment factors, geoaccumulation indices and the pollution load index of 0.3 showed no pollution with any of the measured metals except arsenic.

Biogeochemistry of high salinity microbial mats – Part 1: Lipid composition of microbial mats across intertidal flats of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

As a contribution to a project on the role of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria in the organic matter turnover within cyanobacterial mats, we investigated selected lipid classes of five morphologically different microbial mats from the intertidal area of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The mats thrive under extreme environmental conditions as they are exposed to salinity up to 200 and shadowless sunshine for nearly 12h per day. The total extractable organic matter is characterised by heavy δ13C values of −17‰ to −10‰, suggesting CO2 limitation. The lipids reflect the biomass of the principal mat-building phototrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms. Moderate amounts of hydrocarbons, mainly cyanobacterial n-heptadecane, short chain monomethyl alkanes and diploptene were detected in all the mats. The ubiquitous n-hexadecanoic acid is dominant amongst the free and ester-bound phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), whereas the overall acid composition varies due to differences in the extreme environmental conditions. Additionally, the top layers of two of the five mats were analysed separately to compare their lipid compositions with those of the whole mats. As would be expected, the concentrations of cyanobacterial biomarkers exceed those found in the total mats. Noteworthy is the presence of n-heneicosadiene as predominant hydrocarbon in the top layer of the so called gelatinous mat, which thrives under the locally most extreme conditions. As the n-alkadiene was present to a much lesser extent in the intact mat, it may provide a new biomarker for a so far unknown important aerobic organism.

Third‐Millenniurn and Later Pottery From Abu Dhabi Airport

Surface pottery collected from a site on Abu Dhabi airport indicated sporadic occupation from the Hafit period, c. 3100–2700 BC, with maximum settlement in the second half of the third millennium BC. The ceramics, which could be related both to the coastal Umm an‐Nar culture and to the sequence established at Hili 8 in Period II, included wares of probably Mesopotamian and Eastern Arabian origin. The site was unused throughout most of the second millennium BC and the Iron Age but pottery of first century BC‐second century AD date suggested that it may have served as a point of entry or transit at that time, the first to be recognised in the coastal area of Abu Dhabi.

Internal structure of aeolian dunes in Abu Dhabi determined using ground‐penetrating radar

ABSTRACTA ground‐penetrating radar survey of aeolian dunes in the Al Liwa area of Abu Dhabi reveals a variety of dipping reflectors which are interpreted as primary sedimentary structures. The interpretation of the radar profiles has been confirmed by bulldozing trenches through the study area and comparing logged sections in the trenches with the radar profiles. NNW— SSE‐orientated radar profiles, approximately parallel to the prevailing wind direction, show two sets of dipping reflectors which are interpreted as sets of cross‐stratification and second‐ and third‐order bounding surfaces. Radar profiles orientated WSW—ENE across the prevailing wind direction are dominated by concave‐up reflectors which are interpreted as trough‐shaped scours and sets of trough cross‐stratification produced by oblique progradation of barchanoid dunes. Nested troughs, with small sets of trough cross‐stratification within larger troughs, may be due to reactivation following wind reversal, or the superposition of small dunes on larger dunes and the fill of large dune troughs by smaller dunes. Convex‐upwards reflectors are interpreted as linear spurs on the convex portions of sinuous dunes or erosional remnants between troughs. Overall there is a tendency for the larger second‐order bounding surfaces to dip downwind, which confirms Brookfield's ideas of the relative migration paths of dunes and draa.

Kinetic modelling, thermal maturation and hydrocarbon generation in the United Arab Emirates

Kinetic basin modelling by computer is applied to subsurface data from the United Arab Emirates. During evaluation of the thermal maturation, the geothermal gradient used here was assumed to be invariant during the subsidence history of the basin. The diversity of composition of organic material (kerogen type) was considered in the computer modelling by using various values of the kinetic E and A parameters (activation energy and frequency factor, respectively) in Arrhenius's equation. The kinetic method used in this study calculates the multiple parallel reactions that occur as organic matter undergoes degradation to hydrocarbons. The thermal maturation history of the source rocks in Abu Dhabi have been evaluated using time-temperature indices (TTI), based on Arrhenius's equation in conjunction with kinetic modelling techniques. The thermal modelling of well data shows that the major source rocks [Shilaif Formation, Middle Cretaceous, Thamama Group (Bab Member), Lower Cretaceous and Diyab (Dukhan) Formation, Upper Jurassic] have attained thermal maturity to post-maturity with respect to the generation of liquid hydrocarbons over much of the United Arab Emirates. The Shilaif Formation lies within the oil window in the Bab field and is immature in the Shah field. The Thamama Group is within the oil window over most of the area and the Diyab (Dukhan) Formation is past the liquid hydrocarbon generation stage over most of the Abu Dhabi area. Hydrocarbon generation from the Diyab (Dukhan) source rock began in Campanian time (85-80 Ma). The Thamama Group reached the oil generation threshold in the Early-Middle Eocene (55-44 Ma). The Shilaif Formation began oil generation in the Late Miocene (10 Ma). Geochemical correlation between the source rocks and the crude oils indicates that thermal alteration of the organic matter in the Diyab (Dukhan), Shilaif Formations and possibly the Thamama Group has led to the generation of the hydrocarbons that charged most of the oil fields in the United Arab Emirates.

一次元堆積盆モデルを用いた根源岩評価 海外における実例

Geochemical framework coupled with fluid flow model makes up an integrated computer system for basin evaluation in actual petroleum exploration. The model in high dimensions are believed to be more sophisticated and to result in better solutions, however, a functionally-restricted one-dimensional model is also useful for evaluations of exploration potentials in frontier basins, where only sparse geologic data are obtainable. Two- or three-dimensional model needs more precise geologic data for its appropriate results, therefore, it might not work properly with such sparse data. One-dimensional model, which simulates petroleum generation and expulsion process under an independent cell condition, is successfully applied for this type of exploration setting. Using newly-developed version of maturity model, the method of determining paleo-heat flow is also discussed.In the applications, the procedure sequence for one-dimensional basin analysis is introduced using the data from only one well in the Abu Dhabi area. Multi-well analysis is also demonstrated for areal evaluation of source rock potential in the Northwest Jawa area.

ウムアダルク油田およびサター油田の探鉱・開発

The lecture on exploration and development in Umm al-dalkh and Satah oil fields, held in 1988, is introduced. Umm al-dalkh oil field, discovered by Abu Dhabi Marine Ltd. (ADMA) in 1969, is located in the east end of the sea area of Abu Dhabi. It produced oil from 9,000 to 10,000 bbl/d in 1988. Satah oil field was discovered in 1975 by ADMA's exploratory drilling which had been insisted by Japan Oil Development Co. (JODCO). It is located in the west end of Abu Dhabi's sea area, and its oil production in 1988 was about 15,000 bbl/d. After 1979, both fields have been operated by Umm Al Dalkh Develop Co. (UDECO), a joint company of JODCO and Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (ADNOC). Crude oil from both fields is transported through submarine pipelines to Zirkuh Island, and there it is treated and shipped off. Oil reservoir of Umm al-dalkh field belongs to the middle part of the Jurassic period, and Satah field belongs to the upper part of the Cretaceous period. More details of their geological structures and oil reservoirs are described by showing ground plans and cross sections. 9 figs., 1 tab.

Hydrologic Framework of A Sabkha Along Arabian Gulf

During the last 4,000 to 5,000 years, sedimentary offlap and a relative fall in sea level have resulted in the development of broad, gently seaward sloping (about 1:3,000) planar areas, or sabkhas, along much of the south shore of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. The depth of the water table below the sabkha surface increases with distance from the sea until it reaches 1.0 to 1.5 m, after which it remains constant. When the water table depth is in the range of 1.0 to 1.5 m, the sabkha surface has reached a state of deflational equilibrium. The water table beneath the sabkha always slopes seaward indicating that the direction of ground-water flow is toward the sea. The subsurface flow system beneath the sabkha is part of a regional seaward flowing groundwater regime. In the seaward part of the sabkha, a downward flow component is superimposed on the general seaward ground-water flow pattern as a result of the infiltration and percolation of water from shallow bodies of seawater that are propelled inland over the sabkha surface by strong onshore winds. Farther inland where marine flooding does not occur, the vertical flow component is directed upward in response to evaporative losses at the sabkha surface. The net rate of evaporation from the central parts of the sabkha is on the order of 6 cm ( ± factor of 2) of ground water per year. A regional ground-water flow system which causes the water table level to rise as the sabkha progrades appears to be a requirement for the development and the preservation of broad sabkhas. Fluctuations in sea level during sabkha development influence the rate of progradation and the thickness of sedimentary facies. The refluxing of sabkha brines beneath the lagoons in the Abu Dhabi area indicates a mechanism for preserving anhydrite during marine transgressions, thus permitting the development of stacked sabkha successions which are common in the rock record.