Al-Sharqiya sand dunes of Oman: Their origin, characteristics and environmental impacts on development activities

Al-Sharqiya dune field is a coastal sand sea occupying the northeast corner of Oman with an area of about 13000 km2 (4.2% of the total area of Oman). It is one of the most important geomorphological landforms in the country and is a good example of the interaction between fluvial, marine and aeolian processes in arid region. Two main dune phases predominate the sand sea: The High dunes of linear type at the north and the Low dunes of transverse type at the south. Each type of these dunes differs from each other in terms of height; sand color; grain characteristics and rates of movements. The entire area is affected by strong monsoonal winds during summer, which played a significant role in the formation and alignment of dune clusters. The objectives of this research are to study the geomorphological setting of sand dunes in the entire sand sea; to investigate the sand characteristics in terms of the grain size and mineralogical as well as geochemical variations in order to determine their provenance; to delineate the dune activities and rates of movement upon roads, settlements, and cultivated lands. In order to achieve these objectives, detailed analysis of wind energy as well as field measurements and lab analysis are needed. Remotely sensed data including fine resolution multispectral satellite images, digital elevation models and thermal infrared data could be of valuable sources in order to give an insight perspective upon the nature and characteristics of these dunes. The outcomes of this research are expected to highlight the different rates of dune encroachments; variations in the dune morphometrics, trends, slopes, aspects, origin of sands, and variations in land surface temperatures in relation to the contiguous landscapes of the region and others. These outcomes could be of utmost important for the local inhabitants of the region and for the future development plans.