Artificial island development in the Gulf: impacts on marine water and sediment quality and environmental management implications

Artificial Island Development (AID) in coastal regions, particularly in the Gulf area, is a strategic initiative aimed at expanding land and infrastructure, offering significant economic benefits. This study is based on live project data from the Qetaifan Island North (QIN) development in Qatar, which has been implemented as a real-world artificial island project. However, these developments also pose substantial environmental risks, particularly to marine ecosystems. This study investigates the environmental impacts of AID on Qatar’s eastern coast based on live data, focusing on sediment and seawater quality during pre-construction, construction, and post-construction/operation phases. The results reveal that AID projects lead to the degradation of sensitive marine habitats, alteration of sediment dynamics, and deterioration of seawater quality. Elevated levels of total suspended solids (TSS), nutrients, and selected trace metals were observed during certain phases of the project, potentially affecting marine environmental quality, while hydrocarbon concentrations remained below significant contamination thresholds. Mitigation strategies, such as establishing marine protected areas, controlling sediment displacement, and improving seawater and sediment quality management, are essential for reducing these adverse effects. The findings emphasizes the need for continuous environmental monitoring and robust management practices to ensure the sustainability of AID projects in Qatar. Recommendations include adopting best practices during construction, strengthening pollution control measures, and ensuring the effective protection of marine ecosystems. These efforts are crucial to balancing economic development with environmental conservation in coastal regions.