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.

Spatiotemporal concentration patterns for 19 parents and their alkyl homologues were measured in Pinctada radiata from 7 locations in the central Arabian Gulf around Qatar in the winter, spring and summer (2014–2015). The concentrations of PAHs ranged from 20 to 2240 (262 ± 38.0 ng·g⁻¹ dw) with the highest occurrence in the Doha harbor (738.4 ± 197.3 ng·g⁻¹ dw) and the lowest in the west coast of Qatar (48.3 ± 5.8 ng·g⁻¹ dw). Residual PAHs in the oysters were about two times higher in winter than in spring and summer (P < 0.05). PAHs in oysters are dominated by 2 and 3 rings PAHs and their alkyls. Alkylated PAHs (APAHs) comprised >55 % of the ΣPAHs. Statistically significant differences in PAHs profiles among oysters were due in part to differences in lipid contents and shell biometrics. Principal component analysis (PCA) and diagnostic ratios for sources identifications suggested that PAHs accumulations in oysters were due to petrogenic and fuel combustion.

There is scarce information on the current importance of oyster beds as fishing grounds in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This study aims to understand the socio-economic value of oyster bed fisheries through questionnaire-based surveys with fishers. Of 106 Emirati fishers interviewed, 67 % use oyster beds due to the proximity to shore, better catch quality, and species abundance. Oyster bed fisheries are recreational and commercial, with handline and fish traps the most common used gears. They provide food for local consumption and cash income. All respondents noticed a fish abundance and size decrease throughout the last decade. Fishers suggest establishing marine protected areas and updating fishing regulations to improve fishing stock status. During the Covid-19 pandemic, oyster fisheries increased, highlighting the value of these fishing grounds for food availability. These fisheries support the local economy and heritage, and urgently need management to ensure the protection of these often-overlooked habitats.

The transporting of oil via the Arabian Gulf for centuries has resulted in the pollution of the coasts by heavy metals, and therefore, remediation actions are needed. In this review, we first evaluated heavy metal pollution on the coasts by assembling the research on published metal concentrations in sediments and water bodies surrounding the Arabian Peninsula. Research revealed uneven pollution of heavy metals, meaning that before remediation, the most polluted sites should be found. This could be done most conveniently using biomonitoring. The Arabian Peninsula is a unique ecoregion due to the extremely high temperature in summer, and therefore, it needs its specific standardization procedure for biomonitoring. To get an overview of the current information on biomonitoring, we gathered a dataset of 306 published macroalgal observations from the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Aden. The heavy metal concentration dataset of macroalgae was analyzed with a multivariate principal component analysis. As a result of the published works elsewhere and our data analysis, we recommend that green Ulva and brown Padina species are used in the biomonitoring of heavy metal pollution on the Arabian Peninsula's eastern and southern coasts. However, more species might be needed if these species do not occur at the site. The species incidence should first be monitored systematically in each area, and common species should be used. The species used should be chosen locally and sampled at the same depth at low tide in spring or early summer, from February to May, before the hottest season. The composite samples of different apical sections of the thallus should be collected. The standardization of the monitoring processes benefits future remediation actions.

A baseline survey of sediment contamination was undertaken at 14 locations around the coastline of Bahrain in May 2017, followed by a focused survey of 20 sites, in November 2019. Samples were assessed for industrial pollutants, including metals, PAHs and a suite of organohalogen compounds. The data generated indicated that levels of chemical contaminants were generally low and did not pose a toxicological risk when assessed against commonly applied sediment quality guidelines (SQG). The highest concentrations of PAHs and PCBs were identified in samples collected at coastal sites adjacent to a refinery area known to contain a diverse mix of industry. Tubli Bay, a heavily stressed small bay receiving high loads of sewage effluent, was also identified as an area warranting further investigation with elevated concentrations of BDE209, PFOS and metal contamination. Such data provides a useful baseline assessment of sediment contamination, against which management control measures can be assessed.

Small, partially enclosed gulfs are especially vulnerable to coastal pollution. The Arabian Gulf is a shallow, hypersaline, warm gulf with rising levels of pollution caused by rapid development and industrialization. We measured 19 trace elements in the gastrointestinal tract, liver and muscle of Indian oil sardines (Sardinella longiceps) from three sites from the United Arab Emirates in the southern Arabian Gulf. Concentrations of cadmium, chromium, copper and zinc exceeded international maximum permissible limits (MPL) in all three tissues in most sites. High concentrations in muscle raises concerns about the risk to humans, as muscles are widely consumed by humans. Discriminant Function Analysis showed that the three study sites (Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain) could be discriminated based on a combination of elements. Improved monitoring of pollutants is needed to ascertain the concentration of pollutants in species at different trophic levels. We recommend better control measures to reduce the discharge of pollutants into this fragile marine ecosystem.

Pollution in the Arabian Gulf has risen in recent decades due to rapid development in the region. We studied 21 elements in the liver, gastrointestinal (GI) tract and muscles of the Indian anchovy (Stolephorus indicus) to characterize bioaccumulation in this abundant forage fish. Mean concentrations (μg/g wet weight) of elements ranged as follows: Cd: 0.1–8.0; Cr: 0.1–24.0; Cu: 1.2–24.0; Ni: 0.3–76.5; Ca: 1237.0–15,270.0; S: 2966.0–7467.0; Zn: 7.1–247.0; V: 0.1–27.0; Hg: 0.04–0.18 and Sr: 8.1–191.0. Zn, Cu, Cr, and Cd in the tissues exceeded the maximum permissible limit recommended by FAO, WHO and EC. We suggest that bioaccumulation in fish could be a hazard for human consumption. Therefore, further monitoring is needed to better characterize pollutant levels in fish of higher trophic levels in the Arabian Gulf.

The Arabian Gulf is a warm (summer SST > 30 °C) and hypersaline (salinity > 40 psu at any time) marginal sea of the Indian Ocean. This paper reports on a 3-year study of seasonal and spatial changes of primary production and associated physico-chemical and biological parameters in the coastal waters of Saudi Arabia in the western Arabian Gulf. The primary production rates were low and yet showed a seasonality, with a major spring peak and a minor autumn peak, and a possible significant role for heterotrophs. While the strong relationships between the net changes of carbon uptake and nutrients between seasons showed a control of primary production by the availability of nutrients, the decrease in primary production between spring and summer when nutrients continued to increase suggests that the primary production at this time could have been controlled by higher ambient temperatures and intensities of incident light.

Metal contamination in fish is a concern worldwide, including in the Arabian/Persian Gulf region. This review summarizes the findings from 55 papers about metal concentrations in Gulf fish. Metal concentrations in muscle tissue were screened against the most recent maximum allowable levels (MALs) for fish in international commerce. We identified metals, fish species, and locations where concentrations exceeded the MALs. For some metals, recent MALs have been set to lower concentrations as more toxicological data have become available. Mean fish tissue concentrations exceeded the MAL in 13% (arsenic), 76% (cadmium), 56% (lead), and 10% (mercury) of species means. We identified 13 fish species with the potential to serve as bioindicators of metal contamination for use in four Gulf habitats: pelagic, benthopelagic, demersal, and coral reefs. Recommendations are provided for a regional approach to improve consistency of sampling, data analysis and reporting of metal concentrations in Gulf fish.

Like fishing, natural regime shifts and human-induced environmental changes are often equally important factors in driving fish stock declines. In the Northwestern Arabian Gulf, many fish stocks are declining, raising questions about the reduction in the flow of Tigris-Euphrates rivers. Here we investigate the relationship between Tigris-Euphrates river flow and the estimated recruitment patterns from assessment models. We found a positive correlation between the estimated finfish recruitment trends and the flow of Tigris-Euphrates rivers. Additionally, the assessment model showed remarkably weak compensation ratio, likely indicating a reduction in the productivity of nursery area of two finfish stocks but not in that of the crustacean stock. Our investigation would be very critical in providing guidelines to the government agencies in the Northwestern Arabian Gulf as well as countries of Tigris-Euphrates basins: to consider the impacts associated with reductions in Tigris-Euphrates river flows on the ecosystem services of the region.