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Microplastic pollution in marine waters and sediments of Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles in the water and sand around Abu Dhabi, with the highest levels near oil operations, ports, and islands. These microplastics—which are smaller than a pencil eraser—come from everyday items like plastic bottles and fishing nets that break down over time. This matters because these tiny plastics can enter the food chain through fish and shellfish that people eat, though more research is needed to understand the full health effects.
This study investigates the prevalence and sources of microplastics (MPs, 300–5,000 µm) in the marine environment of Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE—an underexplored region with significant anthropogenic influence. Samples were collected from ten ecologically distinct site categories, including areas near oilfields, near desalination plants, port and marinas, aquaculture activities, public beaches, confined areas, newly developed areas, point sources, near offshore islands and natural habitats. “Natural habitats” showed the lowest MP levels (3.33 particles/100 g sediment; 4.5 P/L water), while sites near oilfields, ports, and offshore islands had the highest (8.2–9.3 P/L water; 5.0–6.6 P/100 g sediment). A total of 1,493 MPs were characterized by size, shape, and color. Polymer analysis of 240 MPs identified acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (31%), cellulose acetate (27%), nylon-66 (20%), and PET (10%) as dominant types. Smaller MPs (100–300 µm) were also quantified at selected categories. Pollution Load Index (PLI) analysis, using natural habitats as a baseline, indicated the greatest anthropogenic impact near offshore oilfields and islands, highlighting spatial variations in MP contamination.
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Microplastic pollution in oyster bed ecosystems: An assessment of the northern shores of the United Arab Emirates
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Researchers measured microplastic contamination in oysters and surrounding sediments at five sites along the UAE coastline, finding microplastics in all sediment samples and more than half of oyster samples — with plastic fibers making up 93% of particles found. The study is the first of its kind in the region and highlights potential risks to marine food webs and seafood safety.
Evaluation of microplastics in beach sediments along the coast of Dubai, UAE
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Researchers evaluated microplastic contamination in beach sediments from 16 Dubai coastal sites, finding an average concentration of 59.71 items/kg dry sediment with blue fibrous particles and polyethylene strings as the dominant types. XRF analysis of 480 microplastics identified 13 heavy metals on particle surfaces, including 5 priority pollutants, highlighting the dual contamination risk posed by plastics in this arid coastal environment.
Microplastics in Sharjah's Groundwater: Enumeration, Characterization and Spatial Distribution
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Microplastics were detected in groundwater boreholes across the Rahmaniya and Falah regions of Sharjah, UAE, with concentrations ranging up to 235 particles per liter, and identified as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, and polypropylene. Since groundwater supplies more than half of the UAE's water, these findings raise significant drinking water safety concerns and point to nearby landfills and industrial areas as likely contamination sources.
Impact of land use on microplastic pollution in the Oman Gulf: Unveiling risk assessment
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Scientists tested water and sediment from the Oman Gulf and found tiny plastic bits (microplastics) everywhere, with the highest amounts near busy cities and popular beach areas—mostly plastic fibers from clothes and fishing nets in the water, and broken-down plastic from bottles and packaging in the sediment. This matters because these microplastics can enter the food chain (think fish and seafood) and eventually end up on our plates, so the researchers say we need better plastic recycling, regulations, and public awareness to cut down on pollution before it affects both marine life and human health.
First baseline assessment of microplastic presence in the coastal sediments of Halfmoon Bay, Arabian Gulf
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) on every beach they tested in Halfmoon Bay, Saudi Arabia—mostly tiny fibers from things like clothing and packaging materials. While plastic levels here were lower than in many other polluted coastal areas worldwide, this matters because microplastics on beaches can end up in the water and seafood we eat, and this study shows even popular recreational beaches aren't free from this pollution, highlighting the need for better waste management as coastal areas continue to develop.
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