Date of Award

1-2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Science

First Advisor

Dr. Walid ElShorbagy,

Second Advisor

Vijay Panchang

Third Advisor

Abdulrazag Zekri

Abstract

This thesis aims to investigate the fate and transport of the effluents discharged from

The desalination plant as well other facilities located in the Ruwais Industrial Complex

(RIC) in the United Arab Emirates. These effluents are discharged in to the Ruwais

Coastal marine waters. The effluents from the desalination plant are characterized by

warm water with high salinity, whereas one other effluent is characterized by high n

Nutrient loads. The characterization of the Ruwais environment and such effluents are

Addressed through comprehensive field surveys of the Ruwais costal water over one

Full year.

In order to investigate the impacts of such effluents on the coastal marine

Water quality, a coupled physical- biochemical model is employed to study the

hydrodynamics an d the water quality of the Ruwais coastal water. Hydrodynamic

simulation for the entire basin of the Arabian Gulf is developed as regional model,

an d the mean currents an d the circulation phenomenon in the Gulf is described.

Subsequently, a local model for the Ruwais coastal water is nested inside the regional

Model area with three open boundaries across the Gulf basin, to investigate the mean

Currents of the coastal area in addition to the spatial an d temporal variation of

Temperature and salinity.

To investigate the quality of the Ruwais coastal waters, the water quality model “EUTROP" is used. This model takes into consideration several water quality compartments, i.e., phytoplankton, zooplankton, particulate organic matter, dissolved organic carbon , phosphate, ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, dissolved oxygen , and chemical oxygen demand. The investigation of water quality covers up to 4 future years an d employs two different boundary conditions. The study evaluates the present conditions and the future conditions, where the expansion of existing facilities in the Ruwais area is considered.

It is found that the effects of the effluents in the currents conditions is limited an d

Restricted to the outfall area. It is characterized by slight increase in the temperature and salinity without major problems related to the water quality. Moreover, the influence of the future expansion in connection with increase in temperature and salinity extends up to 10 Km offshore without major impacts related to water quality beyond that limit.

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