Kaust launches major Red Sea research expedition

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JEDDAH - The world renowned King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Kaust) will launch March 10 a major marine research expedition in the Red Sea.

The expedition, the second of its kind, will be undertaken in the Greek research vessel R/V Aegaeo to expand on the "inadequate knowledge" of the Red Sea's hydrography, microbial diversity and physicochemical properties, according to the expedition's website.

The expedition aims "to investigate the fundamental aspects of the oceanography and deep-sea environment" of the Red Sea.

According to the Director of Kaust's Marine Laboratories for Research and Development, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Suwailem, the trip is considered a continuation of the one that was launched in November 2008, "which gave us promising preliminary results that increased scientists' interest in the study of the deep sea's chemistry, microbiolog, and biology".

One of the goals of the trip is to start studying coral reefs and their biological structure and to conduct medical research that could help to treat cancer, he said.

Another aim is to conduct research on how to preserve life in the Red Sea, which is threatened by industrial pollution, excessive fishing, and the anchors of diving professionals which damage the coral reefs, he said.

As part of the preparations for the expedition, Kaust held an international workshop entitled "Red Sea Research - Past and Present" held at the Kaust campus in Thuwal, on Monday and Tuesday.

The workshop hosted a variety of selected speakers from neighboring Arabian nations and elsewhere, who presented their experiences and insight into the topic of Red Sea oceanographic exploration.

The workshop aimed to promote international collaboration and set the stage for a new era of science and discovery in Red Sea marine research.

It also gave outside institutions, interested individuals and the Kaust community the opportunity to learn more about the upcoming research expedition, and to meet the crews and visit the R/V Aegaeo.

The expedition will be divided into three "legs", each following specific research goals. The first leg will take place from March 10 to 26; the second from April 1 to 12 and the third leg from April 15 to 20.

The three legs, under the management of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the American University of Cairo will a conduct a "comprehensive large-scale survey of the hydrography and current patterns in the Red Sea, data that is so far essentially lacking for this area".

Researchers will also head for the deep-sea brine pools where studies will be conducted in trying conditions - in depths of over 2,000 meters.

Global research partners include the WHOI, which is the single largest private, non-profit institution dedicated to marine research and education in the USA. The institute was established in 1930 in Woods Hole, Massachusetts and has since become one of the most renowned and well-respected marine research facilities worldwide.

Others partners are the Hong Kong University for Science and Technology and the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (HCMR).

The R/V Aegaeo is a Greek research vessel operated by the HCMR. Built in 1985 at the Chalkis shipyard, the vessel was enlarged and refitted from 1996 to 1997 and now comprises a completely modernized floating laboratory and state-of-the-art equipment, necessary for progressive oceanographic and deep-sea research.

By Hadi Al-Faqih

© The Saudi Gazette 2010