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.