The impact of organic pollution on the macrobenthic fauna of Dubai Creek (UAE)

Dubai Creek is a tidal marine intrusion bisecting Dubai within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The creek extends 14 km inland from its opening into the Arabian Gulf, with a narrow lower creek channel leading to a lagoon section in the upper creek. The creek contains numerous sources of organic pollu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2007-11, Vol.54 (11), p.1715-1723
Main Authors: Saunders, James E., Al Zahed, Khalid Mohammed, Paterson, David M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Animals
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Brackish
Dubai creek
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Environmental Monitoring
Eutrophication
Fresh Water
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Invertebrates - drug effects
Invertebrates - physiology
Macrobenthic community
Marine
Marine and brackish environment
Multivariate Analysis
Organic Chemicals - analysis
Organic Chemicals - toxicity
Organic pollution
Population Dynamics
Sea water ecosystems
Synecology
UAE
United Arab Emirates
Water Movements
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity
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Summary:Dubai Creek is a tidal marine intrusion bisecting Dubai within the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The creek extends 14 km inland from its opening into the Arabian Gulf, with a narrow lower creek channel leading to a lagoon section in the upper creek. The creek contains numerous sources of organic pollution including sewage outlet flows and boat waste. A survey of the creek was performed, assessing organic pollution, water properties, and the benthic macrofaunal community. The upper creek was heavily polluted with macrofauna communities commonly associated with organic pollution and eutrophication, while the lower creek contained low pollution and relatively healthy macrofauna communities. There is little net tidal flow of water within the creek and residence time in the lagoon is high, which may account for the high organic pollution levels. However, some evidence of the pollution effect moving into the lower creek was found. The results are considered in light of current and historic organic loading within the creek and future developments in the area.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.07.002