The Environmental Atlas of Abu Dhabi Emirate

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155

M ARINE W ATER Q UALITY M EAN A NNUAL V ALUES , 2008

25°N

25°N

Zirku

Qaffay In order to detect, manage and mitigate the impact being caused by human activity on living resources and human health, continuous monitoring of marine water quality was initiated by EAD in 2002. The goals of the programme are to determine the state of health of marine waters, assess compliance with regulatory water quality objectives, monitor long-term changes in marine water quality, provide a foundation for the planning of pollution control strategies, develop water quality standards and guidelines as stipulated by law and develop regulations towards marine water quality management including the management of ballast water, harmful algal blooms and fish kills. Mkasib

A r a b i a n G u l f

Data collected over the years indicate that the water quality of Abu Dhabi is highly diverse. In well mixed areas such as open sea, the water quality appears reasonably good. In contrast, water quality of confined areas such as dredged channels has been affected due to coastal development. In order to manage and mitigate the impact of coastal developments, EAD has revised the sampling sites and increased the numbers from 8 to 17 in 2006.

12.2

10.5

172.7

0.1

29.5

Arzanah

Abu Dhabi

2.0

103.1

189.6

12.6

12.6

16.1

0.4

0.6

12.0

Al Yasat MPA

Muhayyimat

189.0

11.7

153.4

13.4

36.8

109.7

Corniche

31.3

0.4

25.3

Dalma

Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve

212.6

Mubarraz

11.9

Ghaghah

0.8

Musaffah

12.5

184.4

12.3

Bul Syayeef

37.9

Bani Yas

0.6

12.8

176.1

Sir BaniYas

10.9

11.0

168.4

35.3

31.1

6.8

0.0

Mean Annual Water Quality Values

Jebel Dhanna

Marawah

AlYasat

Abu al-Abyadh

Ruwais

Sila'a

Tarif

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24°N

Silicate (µM)

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0

20

40 Kilometres

Nitrite-N (µg/L)

Ammonia (µg/L)

Nitrate-N (µg/L)

Phosphate-P (µg/L)

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8

H ARMFUL A LGAE A BUNDANCE , 2008 Phytoplankton are single-cell microscopic plants that live in the ocean. There are many species of phytoplankton, each of which has a characteristic shape. They are photosynthetic, contain chlorophyll and are usually green in colour. Aggregation of these algae in the ocean is called algal blooms. A harmful algal bloom (HAB) is defined as a bloom that has deleterious effects on other marine organisms or humans. The Arabian Gulf has witnessed an increase in algal blooms over the last decade, presumably due to both natural and anthropogenic activities.

6

25°N

25°N

Since HABs produce negative impacts on environment, economy and public health, a survey has been started and monitored by EAD since 2002. The goals of the programme are to reduce the risk of HABs to humans and wildlife, provide advance warning, reduce the response time in case of HAB consequences, provide accurate information and create awareness among the public.

4

8

A r a b i a n G u l f

2

0

Arzanah

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Algal Bloom Incidents, 2002–2008

Mkasib

Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve

Qaffay

Abu Dhabi

6

6

5

Al Yasat MPA

Muhayyimat

Corniche

6

Dalma

9

Mubarraz

Ghaghah

Musaffah

Bul Syayeef

5

Bani Yas

3

Sir BaniYas

Jebel Dhanna

Marawah

AlYasat

Abu al-Abyadh

Ruwais

Sila'a

Marine Water Quality Sampling Area

Tarif

Algal Blooms

Total Different Types of Harmful Algae Abundance

24°N

24°N

20

0

20

40 Kilometres

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