Adaptive Management and Evaluation of Water Purification Function on the Constructed Tidal Flat in Kuwait Bay

Abstract

A lagoon type tidal flat was constructed at the coast of Kuwait Bay to verify its water purification function, since tidal flats in Kuwait Bay seem to play important role on water quality improvement in the bay. Although recruitment of tidal flat organisms was expected to bring water purification function to the constructed tidal flat, unforeseen sludge accumulation degraded their habitat condition. To solve the issue, original design of the tidal flatelevation was modified based on the causal analysis. As a consequence, habitat condition was improved and the effectivenessof adaptive management process was proved. The observed water purification capacity of the constructed tidal flat wasmaximally corresponded to a waste water facility with a capacity of about 2, 000 people, although continuous monitoring survey was required.