Improved recovery of bioenergy and osmotic water in an osmotic microbial fuel cell using micro-diffuser assisted marine aerobic biofilm on cathode

Al-Mamun, Abdullah,Baawain, Mahad Said,Dhar, Bipro Ranjan,Kim, In S. Elsevier 2017 Biochemical engineering journal Vol.128 No.-

<P><B> <B>A</B>bstract</B></P> <P>The research work demonstrated the performance of an integrated MFC capable of recovering osmotic water and electricity using forward osmosis in a double-chambered baffled channel reactor. The potential of applying electrochemically active (EA) aerobic marine biofilms on the cathode electrode was explored by eliminating the costly Pt-catalyst, thus making the system more eco-friendly and sustainable. The bio-cathode osmotic microbial fuel cell (OsMFC) used in this study was operated by two different conditions of oxygen supplied into the marine EA biofilms (i.e., the conventional oxygen supply by perforated pipes, and the enhanced oxygen supply by micro-pore air diffuser). The system recovered a maximum electrical power, 28.90 Wm<SUP>−3</SUP> net cathodic compartments (NCC), while removing 63±8% of COD from raw domestic wastewater. The rate of osmotic water recovery was 1.46±0.04Lm<SUP>−2</SUP> h<SUP>−1</SUP>. The amount of recovered osmotic water showed a great potential for integrating osmosis into the marine bio-cathode OsMFC. The dominating bacterial communities identified in the cathodic biofilms were mainly gamma-Proteobacteria and alpha-Proteobacteria.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> An osmotic microbial fuel cell is investigated for securing freshwater and clean energy. </LI> <LI> Electro-chemically active marine aerobic biofilms are applied to catalyzed cathodic reaction. </LI> <LI> Micro-diffuser aeration enhances power generation, but slightly reduces osmotic water flux. </LI> <LI> Micro-diffuser aeration shows slightly high tendency of membrane fouling due to low shear effect. </LI> </UL> </P>

Current Status of Marine Pollution and Mitigation Strategies in Arid Region: A Detailed Review

Prerana Chitrakar,Mahad Said Baawain,Ahmad Sana,Abdullah Al-Mamun 한국해양과학기술원 2019 Ocean science journal Vol.54 No.3

Coastal pollution is becoming a significant threat for both marine ecosystems and humans. Marine pollution and coastal degradation are severely exacerbated by anthropogenic activities involving the discharge of industrial and domestic effluents, ballast water and brine wastes, accidental spillage of oil and radioactive wastes, and the modification of coastal structures. Understanding the sources of marine pollution and their possible impacts allows us to measure the current mitigation and conservation strategies aimed at protecting marine ecosystems from further deterioration. This review assessed the status of marine pollution based on the literature with a focus on the sea in arid regions over the last four decades. The review also summarized the degree of contamination of heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons that accumulated in marine water, sediments and living organisms. In addition, the review critically suggested several mitigation strategies to alleviate the impacts of such pollutions. The key findings indicated that the oil and gas production and processing industries, desalination industries, sea traffic, urban development, and discharge of treated wastewater and ballast water along with seasonal upwelling, and climate change were the main contributors of marine pollution in these regions including the Sea of Oman. The major identified pollutants were heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, organochlorine, tar, harmful algal blooms, marine debris, non-native species, and sediment that are posing severe threats to marine biodiversity and ecosystems. The occurrence of radionuclides in these regions seems to be smaller compared to the World Ocean because of the insignificant disposal of nuclear waste due to strict law enforcement and monitoring. However, marine litter, micro-plastic, radionuclides, greenhouse gases, and non-point pollutant sources have not been investigated properly. Therefore, efforts to identify the possible sources of pollution, estimate their impacts based on field data and numerical modeling, and understand ocean dynamics with regard to the transportation and deposition of sediments and pollutants need to be undertaken in order to protect the coastal and marine environment and ecosystems. Furthermore, integration of robotic aircraft along with satellite surveillance can be an additional measure deployed for the purposes of monitoring oil spillage, illegal ballast water discharge, harmful algal blooms, and beach utilization.

Entrepreneurial Orientation, Network Competence and Human Capital: The Internationalization of SMEs in Oman

SANYAL, Shouvik,HISAM, Mohammed Wamique,BAAWAIN, Ali Mohsin Salim Korea Distribution Science Association 2020 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.7 No.8

Internationalization of SMEs has gathered pace in recent times with falling trade barriers and rising world trade encouraging small firms to seek profits and growth in foreign markets. This has attracted the attention of researchers, and several studies have been conducted in Western nations on the factors influencing the process of SME internationalization. However, hardly any study has been done on SME internationalization in the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC) region, thus leaving a gap in the literature. This study investigates the influence of four factors, namely, human capital, network competency, entrepreneurial orientation, and market volatility on the degree of internationalization of SMEs in Oman. The study employs survey data collected from 150 SME owners and managers using a structured questionnaire having 27 items, and has been analyzed using correlation and logistic regression, as the dependent variable is binary in nature. The results reveal the impact of the chosen variables on the degree of internationalization of SMEs. The findings of the study suggest that network competency has the highest impact on degree of internationalization of Omani SMEs, followed by human capital and entrepreneurial orientation, while market volatility, though insignificant, moderated the relationship between entrepreneurial orientation and degree of internationalization of Omani SMEs.

Challenges Facing Internationalization of SMEs in Emerging Economies: A Study on OECD Model

SANYAL, Shouvik,HISAM, Mohammed Wamique,BAAWAIN, Ali Mohsin Salim Korea Distribution Science Association 2020 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.7 No.2

This research analyses the challenges facing SMEs in Oman in their quest for internationalization. The study is based on the OECD Model of Internationalization put forward in the report titled "How to Foster the Internationalization of SMEs through the Pacific Alliance Integration Process" which focuses on four factors namely finance, business environment, firm capabilities and market access, which are appropriate for an emerging economy like Oman. This study used a descriptive and quantitative research design in attempting to analyze the challenges being faced by Omani SMEs in their endeavors to internationalize. The research investigates causal relationship between variables using positivist and deductive approach. Data collected from 102 respondents was analysed by Structural Equation Modeling(SEM) using AMOS. It was found that finance availability was the most significant predictor of internationalization challenges followed by market access and business environment, while firm capabilities had no impact. Thus SMEs need easier access to credit and have to develop their international business networks and their marketing capabilities in order to grow internationally. Keeping in mind the contribution made by SMEs the government has to intervene by opening up easy lines of credit to SME exporters and allowing them relaxations in customs and other duties.