A team of scientists and marine researchers from听听and听Khalifa University听have led the first comprehensive modern sediment survey off the coast of Abu Dhabi, on board the region鈥檚 most advanced marine research vessel听Jaywun, to explore the effects of climate change on the Arabian Gulf鈥檚 distinctive marine ecosystem. The research mission will pave the way for future research opportunities.
Launched by His Highness听, Ruler’s Representative in the听听and Chairman of EAD鈥檚 Board of Directors, the UAE鈥檚 first research vessel听Jaywun听is equipped with advanced technology and six laboratories to support scientific exploration initiatives in environmental preservation and climate change mitigation.
The project was initially launched as part of the expedition under the multilateral agreement between EAD, OceanX, Bayanat, and M42, aboard the Ocean Explorer across the UAE in December 2023. The study aims to uncover critical insights into marine ecosystems and, through mapping of the seafloor, will also shed light on underwater features of the Arabian Gulf along Abu Dhabi’s coast. Future missions on Jaywun, including an extended study off the coast of Fujairah, will continue to build on these findings.
Prof Bayan Sharif, Provost, Khalifa University, said: 鈥淲e are proud to be one of the members of the Abu Dhabi Environmental Research Network (ADERN), launched by the Environment Agency 鈥� Abu Dhabi. As part of ADERN, the Jaywun research vessel is available to UAE scientists, including our faculty members who can submit research projects to the EAD for execution on the vessel. We take great pride in conducting this first modern sediment survey in offshore Abu Dhabi to gain vital information about climate change on marine ecosystems, enabling us to effectively monitor marine health in the Arabian Gulf.鈥�
Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, said: 鈥淛aywun enables us to conduct in-depth research on marine ecosystems using sophisticated equipment, ensuring high-quality data collection and analysis. Currently, in partnership with Khalifa University, we are studying marine sediments for the first time to assess the impact of climate change on the Arabian Gulf. The collaboration between our scientific teams is essential, and the results from this research will play a key role in informing future sustainability and conservation projects to protect our vital marine ecosystems.
鈥淭he primary objective of the survey is to explore the waters of the UAE and establish a baseline of sediment data from offshore Abu Dhabi for the first time. This will enable the researchers on board Jaywun to gain crucial insights on historical and recent changes in the marine environment. The research also covers sediment movement, the impact of storm events, as well as the overall health of oceanic ecosystems. Moreover, the marine chemistry and sediments formed under these extreme conditions provide insights into a future warmer climate.鈥�
Dr. Aisha Al Suwaidi, Associate Professor, Earth Science, Khalifa University, said: 鈥淢apping the seafloor and developing a baseline of data on sediments by Khalifa University researchers on the Jaywun offshore Abu Dhabi reveals important details about the strength of bottom water currents, as well as the intensification of storm events. We also aim to combine the sedimentological survey and geophysical data to find out the impact of regional tectonics in the Arabian Sea.鈥�
Alongside two marine research analysts from the EAD, the postdoctoral and PhD researchers from Khalifa University鈥檚 Earth Sciences Department on the Jawuyn included Dr. Ahmed Abdelmaksoud Ahmed Osman, Omar Abdulrahman Abdulla Aleter Aldhanhani, and Salvador Domingo Rojas Lequerica. Their study will contribute to a larger research project led by Dr. Aisha Al Suwaidi, Dr. Thomas Steuber, and Dr. Mohammed Ali, which aims to explore the unique conditions of the Arabian Gulf during the summer months. 听
