QUARTERLY REPORT OCT -DEC

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1 QUARTERLY REPORT OCT -DEC 7

2 01

3 INTRODUCTION Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) publishes this quarterly Marine Water Quality (MWQ) report to provide an update on MWQ status during the quarter based on the results of EAD s comprehensive MWQ monitoring programme in Abu Dhabi Emirate waters. EAD s 22 MWQ monitoring sites are located in key areas of the Emirate s territorial waters in order to provide comprehensive data on seawater quality. This report summarizes data on MWQ parameters (nutrients, microbes and metals) for which limits have been set to protect marine biota and human health. Abu Dhabi Emirate has over 700 kilometres of coastline. The rich marine ecosystem is home to hundreds of marine flora and fauna species. However, extensive economic activity and development in the coastal zone affects marine water quality. For example, each year, 35,000 commercial ships ply Emirate waters, many of which discharge waste into the sea. Two hundred regional desalination plants discharge their brine into the Arabian Gulf. Treated sewage effluent is discharged into the sea. These discharges are increasing in line with population growth which is expected to increase the number of Abu Dhabi residents by To monitor the impact of these activities, EAD s Marine Water Quality Programme tracks dozens of seawater and sediment parameters, including water temperature, salinity, ph, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a, colour, turbidity, nutrients, heavy metals and bacteria.

4 WHERE DO WE MEASURE MARINE WATER QUALITY? Currently MWQ samples are collected from 22 sites that include ecologically important waters near Abu Dhabi City and in sensitive areas of the Al Dhafra Region waters of Abu Dhabi Emirate (Figure 1 below). To provide detailed information about the status of MWQ in Abu Dhabi, the sampling sites are organised into categories based on their ecological importance and the activities or uses that occur at or near that site: Confined Areas, Public Beaches, Ports & Marinas, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)/ Natural Habitats, Point Sources, Desalination Plants, and a Reference Station in pristine waters. HOW OFTEN DO WE MEASURE? Sites around the city of Abu Dhabi are sampled monthly. More distant sites, mostly those located in Al Dhafra Region waters, are monitored quarterly MWQ MONITORING SITES IN ABU DHABI 21 Dalma Bu Tinah 22 Al Yasat Sir BaniYas 12 Jebel Al Dhanna As Silea Jila As Shuwehat Ruwais Kh Bida' Al Mutawwa Ghyathy Figure 1. Marine water and sediment quality monitoring stations

5 WHAT DO WE MEASURE? The following three water quality indices are calculated by applying a Water Quality Index (WQI) calculation (CCME, 2001) to three separate groupings of parameters representing different aspects of MWQ (Table 1): 02 MICROBIAL INDEX The Microbial Index indicates the level of bacterial contamination in marine waters that can pose a threat to public health and is based on parameters that are microbiological indicators of human fecal contamination in marine water, including enterococci (EN) and fecal coliform (FC) bacteria. EUTROPHICATION INDEX The Eutrophication Index indicates the level of nutrient over-enrichment of the coastal waters and is based on parameters associated with eutrophication, including nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, and ammonia), chlorophyll-a, and dissolved oxygen. SEDIMENT INDEX The Sediment Index indicates the extent of metal contamination in marine sediments and is based on levels of heavy metal contaminants in sediment. The heavy metal parameters that are used to calculate the Sediment Index (Chromium, Cobalt, Lead, Zinc, Nickel, and Mercury) Samha Mubarraz Marawwah Abu AlAbyad 15 asifah Mirfa Tarif 11 Abu Dhabi Shahama 3 Bani Yas Al Wathba Habshan

6 WHAT IS THE CURRENT MARINEWATER QUALITY? Abu Dhabi s marine water quality is generally good. Microbial index scores for the 12 months through Fourth Quarter of 2017 place all areas in the Good category, which indicates that the water is generally safe for recreational use (Table 2). It is noteworthy that the eutrophication index results show a trend of over enrichment from excess nutrients. Although eutrophication does not present a direct health risk to recreational water users, it can lead to increased incidence of harmful algal blooms which can cause fish kills and, in extreme cases, impact human health and desalination plant operations. Abu Dhabi is responding with the careful regulation of marine discharges and an established goal of eliminating the discharge of nutrient-rich treated sewage into the marine environment. Looking ahead, Abu Dhabi Emirate will continue to see the same drivers, pressures, and impacts that can adversely affect trends in coastal water quality. EAD, however, is strategically positioned and highly qualified to characterize and rigorously report on MWQ trends; take positive action within its own authority; and work closely with other authorities to protect Abu Dhabi Emirate s marine water quality. Table 1. Condition Ratings and Corresponding Index Scores for microbes in Abu Dhabi Marine Waters Condition Rating Good Index Score Index Score is 75 to Fair Poor Index Score is 50 less than 75 Index Score is less than 50

7 TABLE 2. MICROBIAL INDEX FROM Q TO Q STATION AND CATEGORY STATIONS 2017 INDEX 03 NO. NAME MICROBIAL CONFINED AREAS Confined Area Average 1. Al Salamiyah Channel 2. Mussafah South Channel 3. Mussafah Industrial Area 4. Mangrove Area- Eastern Corniche PUBLIC BEACHES Public Beaches Average Fairmont Beach Al Bateen Beach Corniche Beach PORTS & MARINAS Ports & Marinas Average 10. Intercontinental Jetty 11. Port Mina Zayed 12. Ruwais DESALINATION PLANTS Desalination Plants Average 13. Um Al Nar 14. Taweelah 15. Mirfa NATURAL HABITATS Natural Habitats Average 17. Al Basam - Seagrass 18. Butinah - Seagrass 19. Corals (Al Yasat) 123. Ras Ghananda - Corals NEWLY DEVELOPED & DEVELOPING AREAS 117. Al Reem Island 119. Hodariyat Island NUCLEAR POWER PLANT 125. Barakah REFERENCE 126. Reference

8 STUDIES ON THE IMPACT OF DUST/SAND STORMS ON MARINE WATER QUALITY

9 04 Sand and dust storms are meteorological phenomena common across semi-arid and arid regions of the world and are very common in Abu Dhabi. Dust particles are composed of different minerals that include metals and nutrients. These sand/dust storms have both negative and positive impacts on the environment. Negative effects include wind erosion of topsoil from crop and pastureland, poor air quality that may impact both human and livestock health, burial of human infrastructure (i.e. villages, roads, railroad tracks), and adverse effects on water quality of rivers, streams and sea. Positive impacts include supplying nutrients and micronutrients to the oceans and to terrestrial ecosystems that are nutrient poor. For example, iron in the minerals composing desert dust is a vital nutrient in oceanic regions that are deficient in iron. In Abu Dhabi marine waters it is not clear if dust has a positive or a negative impact or both. It is well known, however, that Abu Dhabi waters are impacted by many environmental pressures including dredging for channel deepening and discharges of industrial effluent, treated sewage, and municipal storm drains. EAD s marine water quality monitoring programme, has demonstrated that eutrophication (over-enrichment of nutrients) may be occurring which results in increased algal blooms and fish kills. Harmful algal blooms are considered a significant threat to human health and marine ecosystem services, and could potentially affect the Abu Dhabi coastal area (ROPME, 2013). Nutrient concentrations have recently increased in the western region of Abu Dhabi as indicated by the MWQ Index (eutrophication index). Dust/sand storms could be adding to the cumulative impact of excessive nutrients in the coastal zone. These impacts also may ultimately result in negative effects on fisheries and biodiversity and our ability to sustainably manage the marine environment. In 2018, EAD initiated a limited study in Mirfa to investigate the impacts of dust/sand storms on marine water quality. The year-long Preliminary Assessment of Impact of Sand and Dust Deposition in the Abu Dhabi Coastal Sea Area will be conducted during Data from the assessment will be useful as a reference point for comparison to other years and locations as well as input to decisionmaking. The study will provide preliminary information to assess gaps in data and identify potential needs for larger follow up programmes.

10 05 EMERGENCY INCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS Five algal blooms were recorded in Abu Dhabi waters during the fourth quarter of Most of the blooms were caused by Oscillatoria sp. Furthermore, some of the blooms caused oxygen depletion in the water column. However, no casualties (e.g., fish kills) were recorded because of the blooms in Abu Dhabi waters during this time. ALGAL BLOOM INCIDENTS IN ABU DHABI AREA NO DATE LOCATION GPS LOCATION COVERED BLOOM TYPE 1 17/OCT/2017 Mussafah South Channel N E 5km 2 Multispecies dominated by Oscillatoria sp /NOV/ /DEC/2017 Mussafah South Channel Mussafah South Channel N E N E 5km 2 5km 2 Multispecies dominated by Oscillatoria sp & cylindrotheca closterium Multispecies dominated by Oscillatoria sp & cylindrotheca closterium 4 06/DEC/2017 Mussafah Industrial Area N E 2km 2 Multispecies dominated by Oscillatoria sp & Prorocentrum minimum 5 06/DEC/2017 Al Salmiyah Channel N E 1.5km 2 Multispecies dominated by Oscillatoria sp,cylindrotheca closterium & Prorocentrum minimum

11 06 CONCLUSION Abu Dhabi Emirate s marine water quality is generally good, and remains safe for recreation and commercial use. The increase in eutrophication of some Abu Dhabi waters does not present a direct health risk to recreational water users, but it can lead to increased incidence of harmful algal blooms. Abu Dhabi is responding with regulating of marine discharges and related measures, and is working closely with other relevant authorities to protect the Emirate s coveted marine water quality.

12 COPYRIGHT Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi All rights reserved. No part of this report may be reproduced in any material from (including photocopying or storing in any medium by electronic means) without the written permission of the copyright holder. Application for the copyright holders written permission to reproduce any part of this publication should be addressed to the publisher, in accordance with the international copyright Act 1956 and the UAE Federal Law No. (7) Of 2002, concerning copyrights and neighbouring rights, and person acting in contravention of this will be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims. Photo credits: Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi CONTACT US Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi Call us: (+971) us: customerservice@ead.ae Know more about us: Environment Agency -Abu Dhabi Environment Abu Dhabi Environment Agency -Abu Dhabi