Risk Assessment of Microplastics in the Arabian Gulf: A Meta-Data Analysis

Veerasingam, S., Ranjani, M., Mohamed Ali, E.A., Ahmed, S., Kallamullathil, R., Mohamed, N., Ahmed Mohamed, R.O., Mahfouz, M., and Sadooni, F.N., 2024. Risk assessment of microplastics in the Arabian Gulf: A meta-data analysis. In: Phillips, M.R.; Al-Naemi, S., and Duarte, C.M. (eds.), Coastlines under Global Change: Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2024 (Doha, Qatar). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, pp. 6-10. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, have been identified in various environmental matrices. Microplastic pollution has become an emerging environmental concern in the Arabian Gulf. Marine ecosystem of the Arabian Gulf faces growing threats from anthropogenic activities, including the release of microplastics. This study aims to conduct a meta-data analysis to assess the risk of microplastic pollution in the Arabian Gulf, focusing on sediments. Microplastic data in the Arabian Gulf were synthesized from research papers published in peer-reviewed international journals from 2016 to 2023. Geographically, 80% of microplastic studies were conducted in Iranian coastal waters. The microplastic concentration in sediment in the Gulf varies considerably. Fibers, fragments, films, and pellets are found in most part of the Arabian Gulf. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are the most abundant polymer types of microplastics found in the Arabian Gulf. This could be due to the enormous quantity of polyolefin (PE and PP) production and heavy use in the Arabian Gulf countries and the world over. The polymer hazard risk index, pollution load index and potential ecological risk index of microplastics were calculated to identify the hotspots of microplastics. The results obtained in this study will be useful to contribute valuable insights into the risk of microplastic pollution in the Regional Organization For The Protection of The Marine Environment (ROPME) region (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), providing a foundation for informed decision-making and sustainable management practices. This study seeks to raise awareness and drive collaborative efforts toward addressing the challenges posed by microplastics in the Arabian Gulf.