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Occurrence of tar and other pollution on the Saudi Arabian shores of the gulf
Marine Pollution Bulletin
Edited by E. I. Hamilton
0025-325X/87 S3.00+0.00 0 1987 Pergamon JournalsLtd.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 18, No. 12, pp. 6 5 0 - 6 5 1 , 1987. Printed in Great Britain.
The objective of BASELINE is to publish short communications for the concentration and distribution of elements and compounds in the marine environment. Only those papers which clearly identify the quality of the data will be considered for publication. Contributors to Baseline should refer to 'Baseline--A Record of Contamination Levels' (Mar. Pollut. BulL 13,217-218).
Occurrence of Tar and Other Pollution on the Saudi Arabian Shores of the Gulf A survey was undertaken during February-March 1986, when virtually the entire Saudi Arabian Gulf coastline was inspected between the northern (SaudiKuwait) border and southern (Saudi-Qatar) border (Fig. 1). In addition, visits were made to three of the six offshore coral islands (Karan, Jana, and Jurayd). Observations on beach tar, other pollution (as well as coastal biota) were made within an area 500 m x 500 m at 53 discrete sites distributed at intervals of generally less than 10 km along the 450 km (straight line distance) coastline. The extent of beach tar and beach litter was estimated and recorded using a 0-6 scale. For oil, the range of 0-3 principally reflects an increase in the number of tar balls, while 4-6 denotes an increase in tar pavements. The methodology is based on that developed for coastal surveys of the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast (IUCN, 1984, 1985; Dawson Shepherd & Ormond, 1987). Data collected on the occurrence and magnitude of both beach tar and other forms of pollution are summarised graphically in Fig. 1. Beach tar balls was encountered at 77% of the coastal sites visited, confirming earlier reports (e.g. Wennink & Nelson Smith, !977). The abundance value recorded most frequently (mode) was 3, denoting moderate amounts of tar at the majority of sites. Other forms of pollution were recorded at 87% of the coastal sites, and included such items as plastic containers, scrap metal (occasionally even whole automobiles), tyres and other human refuse. The value of semi-quantitative methods for rapidly assessing large tracts of coastline is becoming increasingly recognised in marine scientific survey work (Kenchington, 1984; DeVantier et al., 1985; Dawson Shepherd & Ormond, 1987). Other studies in the Gulf indicate that at least 80% of oil pollution originates 650
ARABIAN
GULF
Safanlya ~ o Harqus
(~K Arablyah aran • Kuroyn urayd
e z*
SAUDI ARABIA
e_#°
a rIq
~
iahra~n
I
12_5°
Fig. 1 Location of study sites along Saudi Arabian Gulf coast. The study area lies within the two arrows on the inset map. At each site, the extent of beach tar (number at left of circle) and other forms of pollution such as plastics, scrap metal and general human refuse (number at right of each circle), were recorded using a semi-quantitative abundance scale of 0-6.
from tanker and ship traffic (spills and routine discharges) and offshore production (Baker & Dicks, 1982; Golob & Brus, 1984). It should be added, however, that coastal infilling and dredging are currently thought to represent the greatest threats to marine life in the Arabian Gulf (IUCN, 1982; Price, 1982; IUCN/ UNEP, 1985; Vousden & Price, 1985). For the Saudi Arabian Gulf coast, a coastal zone management programme is currently being developed (IUCN, 1987; Price et al., 1987). We are grateful for support provided by Saudi Arabia's Meteorology and Environmental Protection Administration (MEPA) and the Inter-
Volume 18/'Number 12/December 1987 national Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Helpful comments on an early draft of the manuscript by Dr A. Nelson Smith are also acknowledged with thanks.
A. R. G. PRICE ** T. J. WRATHALL *~ and S. M. BERNARD"' *Tropical Marine Research Unit (TMR U), Department of Biology, University of York, York Y01 5DD, UK t2 St Edward's Terrace, Clifford, Wetherby, W. Yorkshire, LS23 6HT, UK Present addresses: *International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), Avenue du Mont-Blanc, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland. ~Kirklees Metropolitan Council, Civic Centre, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK "Chemin Fin Drlez, CH- 1261 Le Muids, Switzerland Baker, J. M. & Dicks, B. (1982). Environmental effects of pollution from the Gulf oil industry. Report for IUCN/MEPA for the Expert meeting of the Gulf Co-ordinating Council to review environmental issues. Dawson Shepherd, A. R. & Ormond, R. F. G. (1987). Techniques for field survey of the eastern Red Sea. In 5th Syrup. on Coastal &Ocean Management Vol. 2 (O. T. Magoon, H. Converse, D. Miner, L. T. Tobin, D. Clark & G. Domurat, eds), pp. 1984-1994. American Society of Civil Engineers, New York. DeVantier, L. M., Barnes, G. R., Daniel, P. A. & Johnson, D. B. (1985). Studies in the assessment of coral reef ecosystems. 1. Assessment protocol. Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Townsville.
Safety on Ships Gas and Chemical Ships Safety Handbook. Bureau Veritas. Lloyds of London Press Ltd., London. 1986. 47 pp. Unpriced. ISBN 1-85044-089-1. Sponsored by Lloyds L&t newspaper this is the second in a series of guides, and complements the first Ship Safety Handbook 1986 published by Lloyds of London Press. The Gas and Chemical Ships Safety Handbook is divided into three parts. The first outlines the application of the provisions of Annex II of MARPOL 73/78
(International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 as amended by the Protocol of 1978); Part B describes the application of the BCH Code
(Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk), the complementary IBC Code for new ships (International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk), the relationship of Annex 11 of MARPOL 73/78 to these, and the application of relevant provisions of the SOLAS Convention. Part C provides guidance on the survey requirements for the certificates stipulated in Annex II and the Codes but excluding the 1978 SOLAS Protocol guidelines which are covered in the first booklet in this series.
Golob, R. & Brus, E. (1984). Statistical analysis of oil pollution in the Kuwait Action Plan Region and the implications of selected worldwide oil spills to the region. In Combating Oil Pollution in the Kuwait Action Plan Region, pp. 7-34. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 44. IUCN (1982). Management requirements for natural habitats and biological resources on Arabian Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia. IUCN Report to MEPA by Coral Reef and Tropical Marine Research Unit, University of York. IUCN (1984). Saudi Arabian Red Sea Survey Site Assessment Data Sheets, Sectors 1-4, Parts 1 and 2. IUCN/TMRU Report to MEPA. IUCN (1985). Saudi Arabian Red Sea Survey Site Assessment Data Sheets, Sectors 5-8, Parts i and 2. IUCN/TMRU Report to MEPA. IUCN/UNEP (1985). Management and conservation of renewable marine resources in the Kuwait Action Plan Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports & Studies No. 63, pp. 1-57. IUCN (1987). Saudi Arabia: An assessment of biotopes and management requirements for the Saudi Arabian Gulf coastal zone. IUCN Report (draft) to MEPA. Kenchington, R. A. (1984). Large area surveys of coral reefs. In Comparing Coral Reef Survey Methods, pp. 92-103. Unesco Pep. Mar. Sci. No. 21. Price, A. R. G. (1982). Conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. Report for IUCN/MEPA for the Expert Meeting of the Gulf Co-ordinating Council to review environmental issues. Price, A. R. G., Chiffings, A. W., Atkinson, M. J. & Wrathall, T. J. (1987). Appraisal of resources in the Saudi Arabian Gulf. In 5th Syrup. on Coastal & Ocean Management, Vol. 1 (O. T. Magoon, H. Converse, D. Miner, L. T. Tobin, D. Clark & G. Domurat, eds), pp. 1031-1045. American Society of Civil Engineers, New York. Vousden, D. H. P. & Price, A. R. G. (1985). Bridge over fragile waters. NewSci. 1451, 33-35. Wennink, C. J. & Nelson Smith, A. (1977). Coastal oil pollution evaluation study for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Vols 1 (Red Sea coast) & 2 (Gulf coast). IMCO, London.
The handbook is a supplement to the detailed provisions established by these international conventions and codes and is not a substitute for the texts containing the detailed rules and standards. Rather it serves as a guide providing a valuable overview of their relevant provisions as amended. By way of an example the international regulations covered establish different families of chemicals and noxious substances the precise classification of which is an essential element in the application of their provisions. Although a brief explanation of the scientific basis for the categorization of noxious liquid substances is provided the lists are not given in the handbook which instead references the texts of the most recently amended lists and provides a summary description of the differing procedures and arrangements for their carriage in ships similarly referencing the relevant provisions of Annex II or the Codes. Thus the handbook is unlikely to be of much value to the reader who does not have these or a more detailed explanatory text to hand. For ships officers (many of whom will have to), however, it is likely to prove a valuable aid offering rapid guidance on the application and requirements of these new international measures, which took effect in their final form on 6 April 1987. As one might expect, in 47 pages there is not a lot of room for clear, easy to read prose, and the text is Ire651
Edited by E. I. Hamilton
0025-325X/87 S3.00+0.00 0 1987 Pergamon JournalsLtd.
Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 18, No. 12, pp. 6 5 0 - 6 5 1 , 1987. Printed in Great Britain.
The objective of BASELINE is to publish short communications for the concentration and distribution of elements and compounds in the marine environment. Only those papers which clearly identify the quality of the data will be considered for publication. Contributors to Baseline should refer to 'Baseline--A Record of Contamination Levels' (Mar. Pollut. BulL 13,217-218).
Occurrence of Tar and Other Pollution on the Saudi Arabian Shores of the Gulf A survey was undertaken during February-March 1986, when virtually the entire Saudi Arabian Gulf coastline was inspected between the northern (SaudiKuwait) border and southern (Saudi-Qatar) border (Fig. 1). In addition, visits were made to three of the six offshore coral islands (Karan, Jana, and Jurayd). Observations on beach tar, other pollution (as well as coastal biota) were made within an area 500 m x 500 m at 53 discrete sites distributed at intervals of generally less than 10 km along the 450 km (straight line distance) coastline. The extent of beach tar and beach litter was estimated and recorded using a 0-6 scale. For oil, the range of 0-3 principally reflects an increase in the number of tar balls, while 4-6 denotes an increase in tar pavements. The methodology is based on that developed for coastal surveys of the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast (IUCN, 1984, 1985; Dawson Shepherd & Ormond, 1987). Data collected on the occurrence and magnitude of both beach tar and other forms of pollution are summarised graphically in Fig. 1. Beach tar balls was encountered at 77% of the coastal sites visited, confirming earlier reports (e.g. Wennink & Nelson Smith, !977). The abundance value recorded most frequently (mode) was 3, denoting moderate amounts of tar at the majority of sites. Other forms of pollution were recorded at 87% of the coastal sites, and included such items as plastic containers, scrap metal (occasionally even whole automobiles), tyres and other human refuse. The value of semi-quantitative methods for rapidly assessing large tracts of coastline is becoming increasingly recognised in marine scientific survey work (Kenchington, 1984; DeVantier et al., 1985; Dawson Shepherd & Ormond, 1987). Other studies in the Gulf indicate that at least 80% of oil pollution originates 650
ARABIAN
GULF
Safanlya ~ o Harqus
(~K Arablyah aran • Kuroyn urayd
e z*
SAUDI ARABIA
e_#°
a rIq
~
iahra~n
I
12_5°
Fig. 1 Location of study sites along Saudi Arabian Gulf coast. The study area lies within the two arrows on the inset map. At each site, the extent of beach tar (number at left of circle) and other forms of pollution such as plastics, scrap metal and general human refuse (number at right of each circle), were recorded using a semi-quantitative abundance scale of 0-6.
from tanker and ship traffic (spills and routine discharges) and offshore production (Baker & Dicks, 1982; Golob & Brus, 1984). It should be added, however, that coastal infilling and dredging are currently thought to represent the greatest threats to marine life in the Arabian Gulf (IUCN, 1982; Price, 1982; IUCN/ UNEP, 1985; Vousden & Price, 1985). For the Saudi Arabian Gulf coast, a coastal zone management programme is currently being developed (IUCN, 1987; Price et al., 1987). We are grateful for support provided by Saudi Arabia's Meteorology and Environmental Protection Administration (MEPA) and the Inter-
Volume 18/'Number 12/December 1987 national Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Helpful comments on an early draft of the manuscript by Dr A. Nelson Smith are also acknowledged with thanks.
A. R. G. PRICE ** T. J. WRATHALL *~ and S. M. BERNARD"' *Tropical Marine Research Unit (TMR U), Department of Biology, University of York, York Y01 5DD, UK t2 St Edward's Terrace, Clifford, Wetherby, W. Yorkshire, LS23 6HT, UK Present addresses: *International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), Avenue du Mont-Blanc, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland. ~Kirklees Metropolitan Council, Civic Centre, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK "Chemin Fin Drlez, CH- 1261 Le Muids, Switzerland Baker, J. M. & Dicks, B. (1982). Environmental effects of pollution from the Gulf oil industry. Report for IUCN/MEPA for the Expert meeting of the Gulf Co-ordinating Council to review environmental issues. Dawson Shepherd, A. R. & Ormond, R. F. G. (1987). Techniques for field survey of the eastern Red Sea. In 5th Syrup. on Coastal &Ocean Management Vol. 2 (O. T. Magoon, H. Converse, D. Miner, L. T. Tobin, D. Clark & G. Domurat, eds), pp. 1984-1994. American Society of Civil Engineers, New York. DeVantier, L. M., Barnes, G. R., Daniel, P. A. & Johnson, D. B. (1985). Studies in the assessment of coral reef ecosystems. 1. Assessment protocol. Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Townsville.
Safety on Ships Gas and Chemical Ships Safety Handbook. Bureau Veritas. Lloyds of London Press Ltd., London. 1986. 47 pp. Unpriced. ISBN 1-85044-089-1. Sponsored by Lloyds L&t newspaper this is the second in a series of guides, and complements the first Ship Safety Handbook 1986 published by Lloyds of London Press. The Gas and Chemical Ships Safety Handbook is divided into three parts. The first outlines the application of the provisions of Annex II of MARPOL 73/78
(International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 as amended by the Protocol of 1978); Part B describes the application of the BCH Code
(Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk), the complementary IBC Code for new ships (International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk), the relationship of Annex 11 of MARPOL 73/78 to these, and the application of relevant provisions of the SOLAS Convention. Part C provides guidance on the survey requirements for the certificates stipulated in Annex II and the Codes but excluding the 1978 SOLAS Protocol guidelines which are covered in the first booklet in this series.
Golob, R. & Brus, E. (1984). Statistical analysis of oil pollution in the Kuwait Action Plan Region and the implications of selected worldwide oil spills to the region. In Combating Oil Pollution in the Kuwait Action Plan Region, pp. 7-34. UNEP Regional Seas Reports and Studies No. 44. IUCN (1982). Management requirements for natural habitats and biological resources on Arabian Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia. IUCN Report to MEPA by Coral Reef and Tropical Marine Research Unit, University of York. IUCN (1984). Saudi Arabian Red Sea Survey Site Assessment Data Sheets, Sectors 1-4, Parts 1 and 2. IUCN/TMRU Report to MEPA. IUCN (1985). Saudi Arabian Red Sea Survey Site Assessment Data Sheets, Sectors 5-8, Parts i and 2. IUCN/TMRU Report to MEPA. IUCN/UNEP (1985). Management and conservation of renewable marine resources in the Kuwait Action Plan Region. UNEP Regional Seas Reports & Studies No. 63, pp. 1-57. IUCN (1987). Saudi Arabia: An assessment of biotopes and management requirements for the Saudi Arabian Gulf coastal zone. IUCN Report (draft) to MEPA. Kenchington, R. A. (1984). Large area surveys of coral reefs. In Comparing Coral Reef Survey Methods, pp. 92-103. Unesco Pep. Mar. Sci. No. 21. Price, A. R. G. (1982). Conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. Report for IUCN/MEPA for the Expert Meeting of the Gulf Co-ordinating Council to review environmental issues. Price, A. R. G., Chiffings, A. W., Atkinson, M. J. & Wrathall, T. J. (1987). Appraisal of resources in the Saudi Arabian Gulf. In 5th Syrup. on Coastal & Ocean Management, Vol. 1 (O. T. Magoon, H. Converse, D. Miner, L. T. Tobin, D. Clark & G. Domurat, eds), pp. 1031-1045. American Society of Civil Engineers, New York. Vousden, D. H. P. & Price, A. R. G. (1985). Bridge over fragile waters. NewSci. 1451, 33-35. Wennink, C. J. & Nelson Smith, A. (1977). Coastal oil pollution evaluation study for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Vols 1 (Red Sea coast) & 2 (Gulf coast). IMCO, London.
The handbook is a supplement to the detailed provisions established by these international conventions and codes and is not a substitute for the texts containing the detailed rules and standards. Rather it serves as a guide providing a valuable overview of their relevant provisions as amended. By way of an example the international regulations covered establish different families of chemicals and noxious substances the precise classification of which is an essential element in the application of their provisions. Although a brief explanation of the scientific basis for the categorization of noxious liquid substances is provided the lists are not given in the handbook which instead references the texts of the most recently amended lists and provides a summary description of the differing procedures and arrangements for their carriage in ships similarly referencing the relevant provisions of Annex II or the Codes. Thus the handbook is unlikely to be of much value to the reader who does not have these or a more detailed explanatory text to hand. For ships officers (many of whom will have to), however, it is likely to prove a valuable aid offering rapid guidance on the application and requirements of these new international measures, which took effect in their final form on 6 April 1987. As one might expect, in 47 pages there is not a lot of room for clear, easy to read prose, and the text is Ire651