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

• 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
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2007.07.002

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.