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Protecting the Gulf’s Marine Ecosystems from Pollution pp 207–222Cite as

Importance of the freshwater influx from the Shatt-Al-Arab River on the Gulf marine environment

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Abstract

In the northern Gulf, the main source of freshwater is the Shatt Al-Arab River, which is formed by the confluence of Euphrates, Tigris and Karun Rivers. The river and its associated marshes present potential sources of nutrients, organics and pollutants (e.g., hydrocarbons, trace elements, and pesticides) to the Gulf. The importance of the Shatt Al-Arab on the northern Gulf ecosystem is undisputed. This chapter outlines the significance of the freshwater influx to the health of the Gulf ecosystem. However, ongoing and planned river basin modifications in upstream countries will have adverse impacts on the coastal marine environments. Since reliable recent discharge data are not available it is essential to establish immediately a monitoring system (for measuring river discharge and water quality) and in order to assess the current situation as well as expected future impacts on the aquatic environments. The environmental issues of the region have to be discussed and resolved at local, regional and international levels.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait

    Faiza Al-Yamani

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  1. Faiza Al-Yamani
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Khaled Bin Sultan Living Oceans Foundation, P.O. Box 69428, Riyadh, 11547, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Abdulaziz H. Abuzinada

  2. Department of Geography, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 348, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Hans-Jörg Barth

  3. Senckenberg Research Institute and National History Museum, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325, Frankfurt a.M., Germany

    Friedhelm Krupp

  4. UNESCO Doha, 66 Lusail Street — West Bay, P.O. Box 3945, Doha, Qatar

    Benno Böer

  5. Marine Environment Research Centre, Environmental Agency — Abu Dhabi (EAD), P.O. Box 45553, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Thabit Zahran Al Abdessalaam

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Al-Yamani, F. (2008). Importance of the freshwater influx from the Shatt-Al-Arab River on the Gulf marine environment. In: Abuzinada, A.H., Barth, HJ., Krupp, F., Böer, B., Al Abdessalaam, T.Z. (eds) Protecting the Gulf’s Marine Ecosystems from Pollution. Birkhäuser Basel. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7643-7947-6_11

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