QUARTERLY REPORTJAN - MAR 7

01

01INTRODUCTION

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 program 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 kilometers of coastline and over 50,000 square kilometers of sea including numerous islands. The rich marine ecosystem is home to hundreds of marine flora and fauna species. In addition, 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 triple the number of Abu Dhabi residents by 2030.

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, color, turbidity, nutrients, heavy metals and bacteria.

Jebel Al Dhanna

Ruwais

Dalma

Al Yasat

Sir BaniYas

Mubarraz

Marawwah

Mirfa Tarif

Abu AlAbyad

Shuwehat

As SileaJila As

Khasifah

Samha

Al Wathba

21

12

15

2022

14

Abu Dhabi

Bani Yas

ShahamaBu Tinah

1

GhyathyBida' Al Mutawwa

Habshan

125

1043

123126

11

2

Figure 1. Marine water and sediment quality monitoring stations

1179

107

119

13

107

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 organized 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.

MWQ MONITORING SITES IN ABU DHABI

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

02

Jebel Al Dhanna

Ruwais

Dalma

Al Yasat

Sir BaniYas

Mubarraz

Marawwah

Mirfa Tarif

Abu AlAbyad

Shuwehat

As SileaJila As

Khasifah

Samha

Al Wathba

21

12

15

2022

14

Abu Dhabi

Bani Yas

ShahamaBu Tinah

1

GhyathyBida' Al Mutawwa

Habshan

125

1043

123126

11

2

Figure 1. Marine water and sediment quality monitoring stations

1179

107

119

13

107

4

WHAT DO WE MEASURE?

The following three water quality indices are calculated by applying a Water Quality Index (WQI) methodology (CCME, 2001) to three separate groupings of parameters representing different aspects of MWQ (Table 1):

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).MWQ MONITORING SITES IN ABU DHABI

WHAT IS THE CURRENT MARINEWATER QUALITY?

Abu Dhabi’s marine water quality is generally good. Microbial index scores for the 12 months through First 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 Raitings and Corresponding Index Scores for the Eutrophication, Public Health . and Sediment Indices in Abu Dhabi Marine Waters

Condition Rating

Index Score

Good

Fair

Poor

Index Score is 75 to 100

Index Score is 50 less than 75

Index Score isless than 50

03STATIONS 2017 INDEX RESULTS

NO. NAME MICROBIAL

CONFINED AREAS

Confined Area Mean values 1. Al Salamiyah Channel2. Mussafah South Channel3. Mussafah Industrial Area4. Mangrove Area- Eastern Corniche

PUBLIC BEACHES

Public Beaches Average

7. Al Bateen Beach

9. Corniche Beach

PORTS & MARINAS

Ports & Marinas Average10. Intercontinental Jetty 11. Port Mina Zayed12. Ruwais

DESALINATION PLANTS

Desalination Plants Average13. Um Al Nar 14. Taweelah15. Mirfa

NATURAL HABITATS

Natural Habitats Average 17. Al Basam - Seagrass18. Butinah - Seagrass19. Corals (Al Yasat)

98100

94100100

99

96

100

948695

100

100100100100

100100100100

107. Fairmont Beach 100

123. Ras Ghananda - Corals 100

NEWLY DEVELOPED & DEVELOPING AREAS

117. Al Reem Island 100119. Hodariyat Island 100

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

125. Barakah 100

REFERENCE

126. Reference 100

TABLE 2.OVERALL INDICES RESULTS FROM Q2 2016 TO Q1 2017 STATION AND CATEGORY

AL DHARA REGION RECREATIONAL BEACH MARINE WATER QUALITY MONITORING PILOT STUDY

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BASELINE ASSESSMENT

Results from the laboratory analyses for enterococci revealed that there were exceedances of recommended limits for protecting public health at recreational beaches (greater than 280 most probable number [MPN] per 100 milliliters [mL] water, the “action” level) at four sites, totaling four exceedance events over the course of the pilot. A total of 482 samples were collected and tested, and over 99 percent were below action levels for protecting public health. However, an additional nine sites had enterococci concentrations in the “alert” level (greater than 140 MPN/100 mL and less than 280 MPN/100 mL).

SURVIVAL ASSESSMENT

The levels of enterococci in the water fluctuated several times throughout the 12-hour sampling period; the lowest concentrations occurred at 09:00 hrs and again at 13:00 hrs, and the highest observed concentrations were at 14:00 hrs and 18:00 hrs. Concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria were highest in the morning and showed a sharp decline between 09:00 hrs and 11:00 hrs, corresponding with a rise in temperature. Levels of fecal coliforms remained low throughout the rest of the day.

TIDAL ASSESSMENT

There was no apparent correlation between concentration of enterococci and tide height. Several instances of higher concentrations during low tide compared to high tide were observed during the tidal assessment, which could be due to recontamination of the water from sand.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results, the following conclusions can be drawn from the Al Dhafra Region Pilot Study.

• Baseline Assessment. In general, marine water quality in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi appeared safe for recreational use during the study period. However, action-level exceedances in marine water quality that pose significant risks to public health were observed at four sites and alert levels were observed at nine additional sites.

• Survival Assessment. No conclusions can be drawn at this time from the enterococci survival study. No clear impact on survival of the organisms due to temperature or exposure to solar irradiation was observed over the course of the day. The study results may be confounded by periodic introduction of new organisms (from sewage discharges) into the water near the sampling site. However, fecal coliform concentration declined with increasing temperature and solar exposure, suggesting enterococci may be the more robust indicator in Abu Dhabi’s waters.

• Tidal Assessment. No apparent correlation between concentration of enterococci in the water and tide level (high vs. low) was observed.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Routine marine water quality monitoring programs should be in place at all recreational beaches and management actions to protect public health based on monitoring results should be consistently implemented at all beaches.

• Additional survival studies should be performed in various locations around Abu Dhabi to confirm enterococci is a robust indicator in Abu Dhabi’s marine environment.

• Sampling of the sand for enterococci, which could be contributing to recontamination of the waters, is recommended as part of future tidal studies.

EAD monitors the quality of marine waters and also identifies and manages risks to marine water quality to help protect the environment, biological diversity, public health, and socioeconomic well-being of the coastal community. Specifically related to public health, in the second quarter of 2012 EAD carried out a 12-week baseline assessment of recreational water quality at the 26 public and private beaches around Abu Dhabi Island. In 2015, EAD conducted a similar study at recreational beaches in the Al Dhafra Region. A “recreational beach” is a beach that is commonly used for recreational activities involving direct contact with near-shore marine water (e.g., swimming).

The purpose of the 2015 study was to conduct a baseline assessment of the recreational water quality at beaches in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi, and a survival assessment to determine the robustness of the primary indicator bacteria – enterococci - in Abu Dhabi’s waters, given the temperature, high salinity, high solar irradiation marine environment. EAD collected water samples from 25 sites, including collecting in situ water measurements and microbiological testing of water samples by a commercial lab. The data collected will guide actions to protect public health at recreational beaches and inform planning for long-term beach water quality monitoring requirements in Abu Dhabi.

The primary objective of the Al Dhafra Region Pilot Study was to assess the levels of potentially harmful pathogens originating from domestic wastewater in marine water at recreational beaches in the Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi. Survival assessment was the secondary object to investigate the survival characteristics of the primary indicator bacteria (enterococci) used for monitoring in Abu Dhabi’s marine waters. The Tidal assessment was the final objective to investigate the influence of tidal stage (high or low) on enterococci levels at beaches.

05EMERGENCY INCIDENTINVESTIGATIONS

ALGAL BLOOM INCIDENTS IN ABU DHABI

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5

6

NO DATE LOCATION GPS LOCATION BLOOM TYPEAREACOVERED

1

2

3

16/JAN/2017

7

24°15'36.12"N 54°23'16.98"E

24°18'36.97"N 54°28'31.29"E

2km

24°18'36.97"N 54°28'31.29"E

24°15'36.12"N 54°23'16.98"E

Mussafah South Channel

Al Salmiyah Channel

5km

Multispecies dominated by Oscillatoria sp & Prorocentrum minimum

Multispecies dominated by Oscillatoria sp , Prorocentrum gracile & Eutreptiella marina

5km

3km

Multispecies dominated by Prorocentrum minimum & Prorocentrum triestinum

Multispecies dominated by Oscillatoria sp & cylindrotheca closterium

Multispecies dominated by Oscillatoria sp & Prorocentrum minimum

5km24°18'36.97"N 54°28'31.29"E

24°18'36.97"N 54°28'31.29"E 5km

Multispecies dominated by Prorocentrum triestinum& Oscillatoria sp

23/JAN/2017

23/JAN/2017

07/FEB/2017

07/FEB/2017

14/MAR/2017

Offshore

Mussafah South Channel

Mussafah South Channel

Al Salmiyah Channel

0.5km Noctiluca scintillans 24°51'21.60"N 54°12'5.50"E

six algal blooms were recorded in Abu Dhabi waters during the first quarter of 2017. Most of the blooms were caused by Oscillatoria sp. Furthermore, some of the bloomscaused oxygen depletion in the water column. However, no casualties (e.g., fish kills) were recorded in Emirate waters during this time.

06CONCLUSION

Abu Dhabi Emirate’s marine water quality is generally good, and remains safe for recreation and commercial use. The increasing 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 the careful regulation of marine discharges and related measures, and is work closely with other authorities to protect the Emirate’s coveted marine water quality.

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