Date of Award

5-2002

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Science

First Advisor

Dr. Amr EI-Sammak

Second Advisor

Dr. Fathy H. Mohamed

Abstract

The area investigated covers Dubai Creek in the Arabian Gulf Ten stations

Were elected for the tidy, covering the maximum fragments of the Creek. The

Assessment of environmental capacity indicated the presence of at least two

Distinct e regions along the Creek. The area located between Stations 1-3 is the

Downstream region; while the area laying between Stations 4-10 is the upstream

Region Water samples were analyzed for physico-chemical parameters (Water

Temperature, pH, salinity, Dissolved Oxygen, and Turbidity); and nutrients (Total

Nitrogen, Nitrate -nitrogen and Phosphate-phosphorus). Whereas the surface

Sediments were analyzed for: Moisture Content, Organic Carbon, and Texture

analyses; as well as Heavy Metals (Copper, Nickel, Lead, Zinc, and Chromium)

content. In the water column, towards the southwest area of the Island along the

upstream region of Dubai Creek low salinity values clearly indicate the influx of

fresh water. The levels of nutrients such as total nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen and

phosphate-phosphorus in the surface water are respectively 2.8, 3 . 5 and 8.8 times higher at the upstream region as compared to the downstream section. As for the surface sediments, a high contents of moisture, organic carbon and mud are evident along the upstream region of the Creek.Heavy metals such as copper, Zinc and lead show a clear plume of high concentrations starting from Station 9. The areas surrounding Station 9 are recognized to be the most contaminated in the upstream region. The surface sediments in Dubai Creek contain 35 times higher levels of lead and zinc than the-unpolluted marine sediments in the U.A.E, as recorded in 1993 .

Download
COinS