Student Research Reports
Quality in Metal Tanks and Their Impact on Bio-Sustainability: An Applied Study from the "Al-Naqa’a School Observa tory" (September – December 2025)
Organization(s):ALnaqaa School
Country:Oman
Student(s):Retaj Said Al-Balooshi & Sharifa Ibrahim Al-Ghaithi
Grade Level:Middle School (grades 6-8, ages 11-14)
GLOBE Member(s):hifaa Rashid AlKaabi
Contributors:Water Factory
A Professor at Sultan Qaboos University
Report Type(s):Virtual Science Symposium Report, Standard Research Report
Protocols:Air Temperature, Surface Temperature, Wind, Land Cover Classification, Dissolved Oxygen, Conductivity, pH, Water Temperature, Water Transparency, Soil Temperature
Presentation Poster:
View Document
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:2026-01-28
Modeling Evaporation Dynamics and Biological Sustainability at Al-Naqaa School Observatory
This investigative research, conducted by the GLOBE team at the Al-Naqaa School Observatory in Sohar, serves as a primary scientific reference aimed at decoding the complex interactions between climate and metallic media. The core objective of the study focused on modeling physical evaporation dynamics and analyzing the profound hydro-chemical transformations of water stored in open metallic tanks, along with their extended impact on biological sustainability in the Al-Afifa area. This scientific epic commenced with the students adopting the role of "Problem Solvers" with superior strategic awareness, as they successfully diagnosed the knowledge gap regarding the "Metallic Thermal Conductivity" phenomenon. This phenomenon transforms tank walls into thermal accelerators, increasing the latent energy of water molecules and driving accelerated evaporation. Their innovation transcended diagnosis to the engineering of a "Micron Capture Net," a precise tool designed to trap atmospheric aerosols and prevent them from contaminating the water mass. This allowed them to conduct a rigorous scientific study on the chemical impact of carbonaceous dust on water alkalinity, directly answering the research question regarding the effect of air purity on storage efficiency.
The experiment then transitioned into the field implementation phase, where their role as "Collaborators" was exemplified through managing observatory operations according to strict protocols. These included standardizing irrigation water sources and applying a "Protective Net" system over the tanks—a rigorous methodological procedure ensuring that recorded water loss was strictly due to pure evaporation rather than external biotic factors, thereby increasing the "Confidence Coefficient" of the collected data. During this stage, their high level of expertise as "Data Collectors" was prominent as they utilized an arsenal of precision measurement tools, including the Class A Pan, a 7-in-1 comprehensive monitoring device, and a digital anemometer to document the "Drought Journey" with millimetric accuracy. This enabled them to address core research questions regarding the relationship between surface temperature and evaporation rates. Empirical results revealed that evaporation peaked in September at a rate of 15.1 mm per week under extreme thermal pressure reaching 49.5°C on the metallic tank surface. This led chemically to a "Reverse Distillation" phenomenon, surging Electrical Conductivity (EC) to 860 µS/cm and causing the depletion of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) to critical levels (6.4 mg/L). Concurrently, a significant rise in pH levels toward alkalinity was observed due to the chemical reaction between suspended soil and the remaining water.
Amidst this massive data set, the students excelled as "Data Scientists" by designing advanced statistical models to analyze the "Thermal Decay Curve" and linking it to the physiological response of crops. They intelligently concluded that a 19°C temperature drop in December served as the strategic driver for the recovery of biological indicators and the improvement of water transparency to 115 cm as atmospheric aerosols receded. Biometric measurements confirmed the superiority of the eggplant as a "Hero Crop" capable of withstanding salinity stress and acquired alkalinity, in contrast to the hypersensitivity of the tomato plant. The tomato emerged as a "Bio-indicator" that suffered from acute osmotic stress, resulting in stunted growth at 18 cm and the clogging of its stomata by the dust deposits recorded by the 7-in-1 device. This heroic journey concluded with the students embodying their leadership role as "Influencers," transferring this predictive knowledge and scientific recommendations to farmers in the Al-Afifa area through a guidance manual advocating for the thermal insulation of metallic tanks to reduce the water's saline footprint. This confirms that the GLOBE team at the Al-Naqaa School Observatory has established a cornerstone for understanding local environmental changes in the Sultanate of Oman. Their work stands as a scientific beacon integrating modern technology with manual innovation to ensure a sustainable agricultural future, proving that science at Al-Naqaa School is a national message of change built on the power of data, rigorous analysis, and the impact of student leadership in serving the local community and the Omani environment. This research has set new precedents for water resource management and biodiversity, reinforcing the observatory's status as an open scientific laboratory connecting air quality, evaporation physics, water chemistry, and plant physiology into a single, integrated, and harmonious study.