ExxonMobil Research Qatar hosts marine monitoring workshop

EMRQ partnered with coral reef experts from New York University – Abu Dhabi for the programme.ExxonMobil Research Qatar (EMRQ) partnered with international coral reef experts from New York University – Abu Dhabi to host a two-day workshop-based programme.This was aimed at inspiring and generating a foundational understanding of sensitive marine ecosystems and specialised monitoring technologies and techniques such as Pulse Amplitude Modulation, which are being developed at EMRQ. The workshop was held at the EMRQ facility at Qatar Science & Technology Park here recently and attendees included representatives from the Ministry of Environment, environmental advisers from RasGas and Qatargas, technical professors and marine specialists from Qatar University.  “At ExxonMobil, we share Qatar’s view that advancements in technology play a critical role in meeting the energy demands and challenges of the future,” said Bart Cahir, president and general manager of ExxonMobil Qatar. “By transferring knowledge developed at EMRQ through initiatives such as the marine monitoring workshop, EMRQ demonstrates ExxonMobil’s commitment to developing scientific understanding and key technologies that will support Qatar’s development while protecting Qatar’s marine environment.”As one of the most diverse ecosystems on earth and an important part of Qatar’s marine environment, coral reefs are the focus of an important area of study for EMRQ. Researchers are developing and testing cutting-edge monitoring technologies that can effectively assess the health of coral reefs, which is widely seen as an important indicator of the overall health of the greater marine environment. This is done by determining the productivity of the algae that live within the coral. Pulse Amplitude Modulation or Pam technology enables scientists to understand when coral may be stressed earlier and more efficiently than with traditional visual techniques. Early detection of coral health means a better chance at identifying strategies to protect this important ecosystem and the multitudes of fish and marine species that such ecosystems support.The workshop was designed to provide background on the marine ecology of the Arabian Gulf and the unique environmental setting of the region. It explored how environmental stress affects energetics in photosynthetic organisms and how Pam fluorometry can be used as a tool to measure various aspects of photosynthetic health, in particular coral reefs. EMRQ researchers presented results from past and current laboratory and field studies, focused on enhancing the understanding of Qatar’s coral species. Hands-on activities included planning (experimental design), execution (data collection) and analysis (data interpretation) of Pam fluorometry using examples, case studies and activities that are focused on Qatar/Arabian Gulf region to provide context. The workshop provided attendees with an in-depth understanding of an objective, quantitative monitoring technology, while providing a valuable networking opportunity with regional and international experts. Projects undertaken at EMRQ are focused on sensitive ecosystems research, developing environmental risk assessment tools and technologies, and co-ordinating laboratory and field experiments around Qatar.  “EMRQ’s Environmental Management Research Programme is enhancing scientific knowledge concerning environmental risks from industrial activities specific to the Gulf region,” explained Dr Andrew Wigton, research director of ExxonMobil Research Qatar. “Our team continues to develop new technologies and processes to improve environmental management capabilities through the use of state-of-the-art research labs, field studies and computer modelling that help us better understand, assess and predict the potential impacts of Qatar’s industrial activities on local marine organisms.”