University of Nizwa Teams Up with NASA to Track Oman’s Air Quality

The University of Nizwa has placed Oman on the global climate research map with its first NASA-backed aerosol study, examining air quality and dust dynamics over Birkat Al Mouz.

The research, conducted in collaboration with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, the U.S. National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), IIT Bhubaneswar (India), and the Oman Civil Aviation Authority, marks Oman’s first peer-reviewed study co-authored with NASA. It maps seasonal dust patterns, measures aerosol radiative forcing, and traces long-range dust transport, providing vital data to support climate change assessments, public health planning, and environmental management.

Using AERONET sun-photometer observations collected on the University of Nizwa campus between December 2022 and November 2024, the team analysed Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), Ångström Exponent, Single Scattering Albedo (SSA), and radiative forcing, applying Concentration-Weighted Trajectory (CWT) analysis to identify dust source regions. Results show peak dust levels in summer and the lowest levels in winter, with the strongest summer dust events traced to the Horn of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of the Indian subcontinent.

The study reveals that dust has a dual impact: it cools the land surface by blocking sunlight while heating the air above by trapping energy, affecting local and regional climate. The findings highlight the practical implications for Oman, including air quality management, public health, agriculture, and renewable energy efficiency. Vulnerable populations, such as people with asthma or cardiovascular conditions, are particularly at risk during high-dust periods.

“This is a major milestone for Omani science and demonstrates the University of Nizwa’s growing role in regional environmental research,” said Prof. Ahmed Al Harrasi, who supervised the study. “Our collaboration with NASA and other global partners not only advances scientific knowledge but also supports Oman Vision 2040 objectives for sustainable development and public health protection.”

The research is part of the University’s NASA AERONET project (2022–2032), led by Dr. Baiju Dayanandan with Prof. Ahmed Al-Harrasi as co-principal investigator. The study was previously presented at the NASA AERONET Science and Application Exchange seminar in the United States in September 2024, gaining international attention.