Eco-Engineered Wetlands in Oman: Utilizing Microbial Mats for Produced Water Remediation and Algal Bioproduct Recovery - Raeid Abed
Prof. Dr. Raeid Abed, Professor in Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology and Head of the Biology Department at the College of Science, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
Nature-based solutions do not always come from where we expect them the most. Gulf countries have limited drinking water resources. The oil industry, particularly refining, consumes large quantities of fresh water. Population growth and tourism are increasing the pressure on the demand for high-quality fresh water. For this reason, Oman has taken the radical decision to treat wastewater in order to recycle as much fresh water as possible. By creating the largest vegetated wastewater treatment plant, a new ecosystem has emerged in the desert. Professor Abed and his team have begun to scientifically evaluate this new ecosystem. He will discuss the reduction of micropollutants, the role of spontaneous vegetation in this ecosystem, and the impact on fauna and flora. He will also discuss the recovery of waste from this gigantic plant. Biogas is produced using the plants. Consideration is being given to using polluted plants to produce liquid manure for agricultural use. This innovative socio-ecosystem is promising and should be replicated in other regions of the Gulf.