This study reports seasonal variations of meteorological parameters, atmospheric dust and dust-borne heavy metals concentrations measured, over a period of two years, next to two major airports (Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport) in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. On-line monitoring stations were installed at each location next to dust samplers used to frequently collect PM2.5 and PM10 on Teflon filters for metal analysis. Clear seasonal variation in meteorological parameters were identified. The particulate matter concentrations depicted from the two locations were continuously monitored. The PM2.5 concentration ranged from 50 to 100 μg/m³ on normal days but reached 350–400 μg/m³ per day during mild storms. The PM10 levels ranged between 100 and 250 μg/m³ during normal days and spiked to 750 μg/m³ during mild storms. Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDS) revealed the presence of significant amounts of alkali and alkaline earth metals, which pose potential harm to aircraft engines. ICP analysis showed the presence of heavy and toxic metals in concentrations that may pose harm to human health. Bulk sand samples from Abu Dhabi sites showed chemical similarities to the atmospheric dust samples. The concentrations of heavy metals, PM2.5, and PM10 are at levels that require further monitoring due to their impact on human health. The two years meteorological monitoring, with the seasonal variations, provided additional regional data in the Arabian Gulf. Furthermore, the study concluded that Sand and Dust storms (SDS) occur more frequently at the northern Arabian Gulf compared to its southern region. The chemical correlation between atmospheric dust and regional desert sand suggests the localized origin of the smaller dust particles that may form by breaking apart of the ground sand grains. As a result of the ongoing urbanization in the region, it is essential to collect additional data from various locations for a longer period of time.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) host valuable coastal and marine biodiversity that is subjected to multiple pressures under extreme conditions. To mitigate impacts on marine ecosystems, the UAE protects almost 12% of its Exclusive Economic Zone. This study mapped and validated the distribution of key coastal and marine habitats, species and critical areas for their life cycle in the Gulf area of the UAE. We identified gaps in the current protection of these ecological features and assessed the quality of the data used. The overall dataset showed good data quality, but deficiencies in information for the coastline of the north-western emirates. The existing protected areas are inadequate to safeguard key ecological features such as mangroves and coastal lagoons. This study offers a solid basis to understand the spatial distribution and protection of marine biodiversity in the UAE. This information should be considered for implementing effective conservation planning and ecosystem-based management.

The response of mangrove (Avicennia marina) seedlings to treated (wet) sludge from a sewage treatment plant (STP) was tested in a randomized block design experiment at a tree nursery on Mubarraz Island in the Arabian Gulf. The growth response of seedlings to half-strength and full-strength STP sludge was monitored over 103 days and compared with the response to freshwater, seawater and half-strength seawater treatments. Sludge treatments resulted in significantly greater plant growth, leaf number, leaf biomass and root biomass than the other treatments did. The positive effect of STP sludge on seedling growth is attributed to enhanced levels of total nitrogen (8.9 ± 0.1 mg l⁻¹) and total phosphorus (7.8 ± 0.2 mg l⁻¹) in the sludge and its low salinity. These results suggest that sludge from sewage treatment plants may be beneficially used in mangrove nurseries and plantations in this arid region, where soils are nutrient-poor and fresh water is scarce.

The development of desalination has been essential to the rapid economic development of the countries bordering the Arabian Gulf. The current production capacity of sea water desalination plants drawing water from Gulf is over 20 million m³ day⁻¹, which may rise to 80 million m³ day⁻¹ by 2050. Whilst supporting aspects of sustainable development related to water and sanitation, desalination impacts the marine environment through impingement and entrainment of organisms in intakes, and through thermal, brine and chemical discharges. This may compromise other objectives for sustainable development related to sustainable use of the oceans. Under business as usual scenarios, by 2050, the impact of individual desalination plants will combine causing a regional scale impact. Without mitigating actions to avoid the business as usual scenario, by 2050, desalination in combination with climate change, will elevate coastal water temperatures across more than 50% of the Gulf by at least 3 °C, and a volume of water equivalent to more than a third of the total volume of water between 0 and 10 m deep will pass through desalination plants each year. This will adversely impact the coastal ecosystem of the Gulf, with impacts on biodiversity, fisheries and coastal communities and may cause potential loss of species and habitats from the Gulf. Given the significant implications of these preliminary findings, and in light of the precautionary approach to management, it is recommended that mitigating options addressing behavioural, regulatory and technological change are rapidly evaluated and implemented to avoid the development of desalination in the region along a business as usual pathway, and multidisciplinary research studies should be conducted to reduce uncertainty in predictions of future impacts.

This work presents the structural and functional traits of benthic amphipods in the Saudi waters of the Arabian Gulf. Sixty-two species belonging to 37 genera and 17 families were recorded. Sensitive species such as Grandidierella bonnieroides, G. exilis, Gammaropsis atlantica and Caprellidea indet., were mostly dominant. The average values of richness, density and diversity (H′ log₂) were 11 ± 1, 512 ± 232 ind. m-2 and 3.1 ± 0.1 respectively. The density decreased with increased in depth (nearshore (NS) - 784 ± 445 and offshore (OS) - 222 ± 28, p = 0.023), while evenness (NS – 0.93 and OS -0.94) and diversity (NS – 3.10 and OS - 3.18) were unaffected by depth. Interstitial space dwellers (56.76%) and surface deposit feeders (60.16%) were dominant in the nearshore sand substratum. However, domicolous (72.2%) with suspension and surface deposit feeders (71.7%) were more in offshore silt sediments. The combination of depth, pH and TPH (p = 0.249) influenced the distribution of amphipods.

The level of heavy metal contamination and ecological risk, as well as the sources of contamination, of 35 sediments from the Al-Uqair coast, Saudi Arabia, were determined via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The average concentrations (dry weight) were highest for Fe (8091.51 μg/g), followed by Al (1816.60), As (14.99), Cu (11.27), Zn (7.62), Pb (3.88), Mn (3.82), Cr (3.67), Hg (2.40), Se (0.68), Ni (0.57), Cd (0.07), and Sb (0.06). The average TOC and heavy metal values, except Hg and As, were much lower than many coastal sediments elsewhere. The sediments had moderate-to-high heavy metal pollution, especially with high Hg contamination and substantial Se and As enrichment. Moreover, the sediments were at a high ecological risk for Hg, As, and Cd, moderate risk for Cu, and no-to-low risk for Pb, Zn, Ni, Cr, and Sb. Hg, Cd, Cr, As, Se, Cu, Sb, Pb, Ni, and Zn were likely from lithogenic and anthropogenic sources, including rock weathering, agricultural runoff, and untreated domestic sewage. However, Al, Fe, and Mn were naturally derived.

The Arabian Gulf is one of the most adversely affected marine environments worldwide, which results from combined pollution drivers including climate change, oil and gas activities, and coastal anthropogenic disturbances. Desalination activities are one of the major marine pollution drivers regionally and internationally. Arabian Gulf countries represent a hotspot of desalination activities as they are responsible for nearly 50% of the global desalination capacity. Building desalination plants, up-taking seawater, and discharging untreated brine back into the sea adversely affects the biodiversity of the marine ecosystems. The present review attempted to reveal the potential negative effects of desalination plants on the Gulf's marine environments. We emphasised different conventional and innovative assessment tools used to assess the health of marine environments and evaluate the damage exerted by desalination activity in the Gulf. Finally, we suggested effective management approaches to tackle the issue including the significance of national regulations and regional cooperation.