![]() The need to establish a Remote Sensing Centre within the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) was recognized more than one and half decades ago when on the 25 December 1988 H.E. GIS entails database analysis, description, explanation, pattern prediction and processes at geographic scales. A major challenge to users of remote sensing is how to match the appropriate technology to the problem at hand. The spectrum of remote sensing technology, however, is broad and invariably requires careful tailoring of response to the problem. Remote sensing which involves the use of satellite imagery continues to be an integral part of projects dealing with mineral and petroleum exploration, pollution detection, weather prediction, commercial fishing, rangeland monitoring, crop forecasting, urban development and management studies and many more. Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have emerged as invaluable technologies for ecosystem analysis, evaluation and monitoring. Administration and Financial Affairs Department.Innovation & Technology Transfer Centre.The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Academic Chair.The Shell Chair in Carbonate Geosciences.Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry Research Chair in Econimic Studies.Madayn Research Chair for the Development of Industrial Estates and Free zones.UNESCO Research Chair on Ophiolite Studies.Peak, (2010) Statistical Modeling of Rainfall Enhancement. (2011) Accounting for spatiotemporal variations of rainfall measurements when evaluating ground-based methods of weather modification. (2012) Using dynamically defined controls to evaluate the impact of an ionization technology. The corresponding estimate of total attribution defined by the 30 km corridor model, as a percentage of estimated natural rainfall, was 18 per cent with a semiparametric bootstrap standard error of 8.4 per cent and a bootstrap confidence level of at least 99 per cent for a positive attribution.Ĭhambers, R., S. The total attribution (enhancement effect) in the trial area defined by the 60º arc model, as a percentage of estimated natural rainfall, was estimated to be 11.7 per cent with a semiparametric bootstrap standard error of 9.1 per cent and a corresponding bootstrap confidence of at least 90 per cent for a positive attribution over the course of the trial. Overall, a positive and significant rainfall enhancement effect attributable to the operation of the emitters was observed over the course of the trial under both models. The final statistical analysis of the trial was therefore conducted using both a dynamic 60° downwind arc model and a 30km wide dynamic downwind corridor model. This defined target and control areas in terms of 'corridors' placed symmetrically about each emitter site and oriented downwind along the axis defined by the steering wind direction. For the 2013 Oman trial, a simple alternative model was also developed prior to analysis of the trial data. This used dynamically defined target and control areas corresponding to two overlapping 60° arcs emanating from each of the emitter sites and oriented downwind in the direction of an average steering wind (Beare et al. The methodology used in the 2013 Oman trial was originally developed for rainfall enhancement trials in Australia. Statistical analysis of the trial data was carried out using spatio-temporal models that used meteorological and spatio-temporal covariates to capture natural rainfall variation, enabling prediction of the level of rainfall that would have occurred if the ionisation emitters had not been operated. The trial employed a randomised crossover design with the two emitters operated in a pre-determined randomised alternating schedule. ![]() Data for the trial were obtained from 120 rain gauges and two automatic weather stations installed in the trial area, as well as data from 11 weather stations operated by the Oman Directorate General of Meteorology and Air Navigation (DGMAN) and daily upper air sounding at Seeb international airport. In particular, two ionising arrays were used to target rainfall enhancement in the Batinah/Dakhliyah Region of Oman. ![]() This period was chosen to capture the high incidence of convective storms with consistently suitable microphysical conditions for rainfall enhancement in this area. A rainfall enhancement trial using a ground-based ionisation technology was conducted in the Hajar Mountains in western Oman over a period of 170 days (15 May to 31 October) in 2013. Given this scenario, a technology that can increase rainfall or mitigate projected future reduction in rainfall is of considerable interest. Oman is one of most water-stressed countries in the world, with the northern part of the country expected to face decreases in average annual rainfall in the coming decades of up to 40%.
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