The effects of the river diversion, Mesopotamian Marsh drainage and restoration, and river damming on the marine environment of the northwestern Arabian Gulf

Abstract

This paper summarizes the results of a study, which was conducted during the period of 1996-2005. It assesses the impact of river diversion (Third River), marsh drainage, and marsh restoration on Kuwait's marine environment. The results indicated lower salinity, higher nitrate concentration, higher chlorophyll-a, and higher sedimentation in the northern waters of Kuwait influenced by the discharge of the man-made Third River and marsh drainage. Five estuarine copepod species, which occur only in the northern waters of Kuwait due to their proximity to the mouth of the river, are reported here for the first time. Lower turbidity levels were observed in the northern waters of Kuwait during 2004 and 2005 possibly influenced by the marsh restoration process. The above results indicate the close interrelationship between the upstream river environment and the northern Arabian Gulf. River-related activities in the Tigris-Euphrates Basin have transboundary impacts downstream. Assumptions on the potential effects of the upstream damming of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers on Kuwait's marine environment are included. It is expected that recent and planned river basin modifications in Turkey, Iran and Iraq will significantly reduce river discharge, permanently remove seasonal flooding, and impact the northern Gulf's marine environment, with serious implications for fisheries.

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“…The number of manmade flow-altering constructions increased significantly in Mesopotamia since early 1970s fragmenting rivers ecosystems, isolating fish populations, manipulating trophic state and changing fluvial geomorphology in many locations (Al-Yamani et al, 2007;Al-Hilli et al, 2009;Sowers et al, 2010). Endemic species, such as asp, Barbus sp.…”

Rediscovery and redescription of the smoothtooth blacktip shark, Carcharhinus leiodon (Carcharhinidae), from Kuwait, with notes on its possible conservation status

“…Using Red List geographic range B criteria (IUCN 2001) and assuming C. leiodon is restricted to shallow waters of ,40 m depth of an area totalling ,20 000 km 2 in its two known disjunct ranges off Kuwait and easternmost Yemen, and taking into account likely continuing declines in habitat (at least off Kuwait, e.g. Al-Yamani et al 2007;Sheppard et al 2010) and number of adults (through fisheries), the Vulnerable listing would remain unchanged. However, this assumes C. leiodon occurs in all types of waters in its two known ranges.…”

Elasmobranchs of the Persian (Arabian) Gulf: ecology, human aspects and research priorities for their improved management

“…Major changes to the Tigris river system (e.g. drainage for irrigation, damming for hydroelectric power, agricultural runoff) discharging into the northwestern Gulf are known to have significant effects on the marine environment there (Al-Yamani et al 2007); these may have implications for euryhaline species and the Critically Endangered pita skate O. pita. Pollution sources into the Gulf include those from shipping, brine from desalination plants and those from the massive hydrocarbon industry, a source of both chronic and acute (e.g.…”