🚨 Alarming Microplastic Levels in Abu Dhabi Coastal Waters

Recent research has uncovered unexpectedly high concentrations of microplastics in the coastal waters and sediments surrounding Abu Dhabi, raising significant concerns for the United Arab Emirates' pristine marine environments. Led by scientists from the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), the study marks the first comprehensive assessment of microplastic pollution across this vital region, highlighting levels that surpass initial expectations and underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions.

Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 millimeters (often abbreviated as MPs), originate from the breakdown of larger plastics or direct release from products like cosmetics and synthetic textiles. In Abu Dhabi's waters, these tiny pollutants were detected at every sampling site, with averages ranging from 4.5 to 9.3 particles per liter (P/L) in water and 3.33 to 6.6 particles per 100 grams (P/100g) in sediments. This discovery not only establishes a critical baseline for future monitoring but also spotlights the role of UAE universities in tackling environmental challenges through rigorous scientific inquiry.

The Groundbreaking UAEU Study: Methodology and Scope

The study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, was spearheaded by Abdulsalam Husain Al Hashmi from UAEU's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, in collaboration with the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and other experts. Researchers sampled 46 sites across ten ecologically diverse categories along Abu Dhabi's 700 km coastline, including oilfields, desalination plants, ports, aquaculture farms, public beaches, offshore islands, and protected natural habitats like coral reefs and mangroves.

Surface water was collected using Manta trawls (300 µm mesh), subsurface water (2m depth) with Niskin bottles, and sediments via Van Veen grabs. Nearly 1,500 microplastic particles were analyzed for size (0.3-5mm), shape, color, and polymer composition using microscopy, FlowCam for smaller particles (100-300 µm), and FTIR spectroscopy. A Pollution Load Index (PLI) was calculated, using natural habitats as a reference, revealing the highest anthropogenic impacts near oilfields (PLI 2.02) and offshore islands (PLI 1.76).

Spatial Variations: Hotspots Near Industrial and Urban Areas

The findings revealed stark spatial differences. Water concentrations peaked at 9.3 P/L near oilfields like Mubaraz and Borouge, where rig operations and vessel traffic contribute heavily. Offshore islands such as Dalma and Sir Baniyas recorded 8.8 P/L, likely due to anti-clockwise currents transporting pollutants from the northern Arabian Gulf. Public beaches averaged 6.7 P/L, while natural habitats like Ras Al Ghanda corals and Eastern Mangroves had the lowest at 4.5 P/L.

In sediments, oilfields showed 6.6 P/100g, point sources (industrial outfalls) 7.0 P/100g, and natural areas 3.33 P/100g. Smaller MPs (<300 µm) were particularly abundant near oilfields (16.4 MPs/L surface water), emphasizing the limitations of standard monitoring that focuses on larger sizes. Extreme weather events in early 2024, including hailstorms and floods, likely exacerbated levels by flushing land-based plastics into the sea.

Polymer Composition and Particle Characteristics

Polymer analysis of 240 particles identified acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS, 31%), cellulose acetate (27%), nylon-66 (20%), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 10%) as dominant. ABS and cellulose acetate were ubiquitous, while nylon sank to sediments (47%) and PET floated (46% surface water). Other types included LDPE (4%), crumb rubber from tires (4%), PP, PS, PVC.

Particles were primarily fibers and fragments, with colors dominated by blue and black, possibly from textiles and degraded litter. This composition reflects industrial activities, shipping, and consumer products, providing clues for source tracking.

Primary Sources Polluting Abu Dhabi's Waters

Sources traced to local anthropogenic activities: oilfield operations (rigs, chemicals), desalination brine discharges (polymeric membranes), port shipping/cargo, aquaculture nets, beach litter/runoff, construction dredging, and sewage outfalls. Hydrodynamic factors like Gulf currents spread MPs to remote islands, while tire wear (crumb rubber) and microfiber shedding from laundry contribute via stormwater.

Thies Thiemann, former UAEU chemistry professor and co-author, noted, “Once they’re in the marine environment, it’s hugely difficult to get them out. It’s like a legacy that we will provide for the future generations.”

Comparisons: Abu Dhabi vs. Arabian Gulf and Global Benchmarks

Abu Dhabi's levels (4.5-9.3 P/L water) align with Persian Gulf averages (3-15 P/L in Iran studies) but exceed Dubai beaches and are lower than heavily polluted estuaries (e.g., Indonesia up to 100+ P/L). Sediments (3-7 P/100g) are moderate compared to northern UAE shores (191 P/kg). Globally, Abu Dhabi's figures surpass remote Antarctic waters but fall below Arctic sea ice (12,000 P/L) or Mariana Trench depths (13 P/L). A 2025 forecast predicts global MP levels 9.7 times higher by 2100.

View the full study for detailed comparisons: Frontiers in Marine Science paper.

Ecological Impacts: Threat to UAE's Marine Biodiversity

Microplastics pose severe risks to marine life. Larger particles block guts, causing starvation and reduced reproduction in fish, turtles, and seabirds. Smaller ones translocate to tissues, disrupting hormones and accumulating in organs like hepatopancreas in shellfish. In the Arabian Gulf, MPs in sea turtles and fish have been documented, exacerbating pressures on UAE's biodiversity hotspots like mangroves and corals.

Prof. Richard Thompson (University of Plymouth), a microplastics pioneer, explained: “The larger particles that sit in the gut can cause blockages... Smaller particles can pass from the gut to the circulatory system... Hormone disruption from microplastics has also been demonstrated.” UAE's aquaculture and fisheries, key to food security, face contamination risks.

Human Health Concerns Through Seafood Consumption

With UAE's high seafood intake (fish, shrimp, molluscs), MPs enter the food chain. Studies show MPs in Gulf fish guts and tissues, potentially carrying toxins and pathogens. Global research links MPs to inflammation, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption in humans. A 2024 UAE study found MPs in commercial fish, urging monitoring. While direct risks are emerging, bioaccumulation via filter-feeders like oysters heightens exposure.

Prof. John Burt (NYU Abu Dhabi) emphasized prevention: “Research is needed on what the primary sources are.”

UAE's Robust Response: Bans, Monitoring, and Cleanups

UAE leads regionally: Abu Dhabi's 2022 single-use plastic bag ban saved 364 million bags by 2024; nationwide ban expands to cutlery, cups by 2026. EAD-QCC partnership assesses MPs; beach cleanups by NMDC Group remove macroplastics. Dubai Can promotes refills. Read more on EAD initiatives: EAD microplastics assessment.

UAE Universities Driving Environmental Innovation

UAEU's Civil and Environmental Engineering and Chemistry departments spearhead MP research, collaborating with EAD. Thies Thiemann's work on FT-IR monitoring complements Al Hashmi's spatial analysis. NYU Abu Dhabi's marine biology contributes expertise. Khalifa University explores remediation. These efforts position UAE higher education as a hub for sustainability science, fostering PhD programs and grants in marine pollution.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Multi-Perspective Views

• EAD: Committed to baseline data for policy.
• UAEU Researchers: Call for source prevention over removal.
• International Experts: Thompson stresses ecosystem-wide risks; Burt advocates education.
• Industry: Oil sector urged to audit discharges.
• Public: Awareness campaigns target textiles, single-use plastics.

Future Outlook: Pathways to Mitigation

Projections warn of rising MPs; UAE must enhance wastewater treatment, enforce microbead bans, promote biodegradable alternatives. Universities like UAEU can lead bioremediation R&D. Actionable steps:

• Choose natural-fiber clothes to cut microfibers.
• Support beach cleanups.
• Advocate policy via UAE academic jobs.

This UAEU study galvanizes action, blending research with policy for healthier seas.

Photo by Ammar El Attar on Unsplash