POST-GULF-WAR NUTRIENTS AND MICROBIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR COASTAL WATERS OF DUBAI, SHARJAH, AND AJMAN EMIRATES (UAE)

Post-Gulf-War water pollution at the shores and in the creeks of Dubai , Sharjah, and Ajman in the UAE was assessed through monitoring select ed chemical nutrients and microbial communities, The levels detected w ere generally similar to previous pre-war records. Dubai Creek had occ asional high nutrient levels with some fluctuations and wide spatial a nd temporal variations, suggesting the presence of anthropogenic sourc es of pollution, creating these conditions, near the sampling sites. S harjah and Ajman Creek had much lower nutrient levels. The microbial c ounts in the three creeks had distinct patterns, peaking in spring and summer and diminishing during winter. Total and faecal coliform count s fluctuated depending on the presence of nearby recreation and commer cial areas; however, they were at no time consistently high. The predo minant genera of microbial communities were determined, and it was gen erally concluded that there were no significant nutrient or microbial pollution problems in the creeks.