27

Restless Earth Iranian Fold Belt

Zagros Mountains

Volcanism

Formative Forces and Processes Arabian Gulf

Abu Dhabi
From its earliest beginnings, the physical geography of Abu Dhabi displays the and of the rest of the region. While these continual and relative Earth
consequences of plate tectonics as a fundamental formative process. Although movements generally go largely unnoticed, except by scientists and only
the movements of the Earth’s plates are incredibly slow, the sheer scale and involve millimetres per year, there remains, though, the potential for bigger Melting
of subducted
massive forces involved over millions of years have come together to form the dislocations. The Arabian Plate, on which Abu Dhabi is located, is gradually oceanic crust
geological foundations and dramatic features of the landscape we see today. being subducted (moving underneath) the Eurasian Plate in the area of the
Plate tectonics can be viewed as a ‘mega‑formative’ process resulting in Zagros Mountains in southern Iran. Sudden jolts cause small‑scale earthquakes,
large‑scale features such as mountain ranges, rift valleys and basins, fault such as one which caused the evacuation of some tall buildings in Abu Dhabi
escarpments and visibly folded, warped and faulted surface and sub‑surface City in 2008, and much more destructive earthquakes remain ever present Sediments
rock formations. These physical features are not static; rather they are dynamic hazard across the region, especially in Iran. These sudden and violent Continental crust
and continually changing over time. They are not only subjected to additional movements can cause changes to the natural landscape, as well as damage to Lithosphere
Subduction
formative forces but influence the processes themselves, which, in turn, man-made structures, including bridges and buildings.
continue to reshape the landscape and constituent landforms of Abu Dhabi
Anthenosphere The Geology of Jeopardy  p
Tectonic movements apply immense forces
to sub-surface rocks. Under such stresses,
rocks either break and fault or fold. The type
and degree of response is controlled by the
nature of the stress and the characteristics of
the rock. Faults may then become the focus
for earthquakes. The ongoing compression
of the Zagros Range causes numerous
The Consequences of Collision   relatively weak earthquakes. Occasional
large movements along vertical linear
The movement and collision of the Earth’s changes in sea level for at least the past faults can be accompanied by devastating
plates has had profound impacts on the 350,000 years and probably longer. earthquakes. One such fault lies beneath
physical geography of Abu Dhabi and the Dibba on the UAE East Coast. Abu Dhabi
wider region. As noted earlier, during the This caused alternating flooding and has no known major faults although those
Cretaceous, the South Atlantic oceanic drying episodes, creating the unique flanking Jebel Hafit and underlying sabkha
basin formed, forcing the Afro-Arabia landforms of the sabkhas and extensive Matti have been associated with moderate
Plate north‑eastwards. By the Late dune fields blown southwards by winds earthquakes.
Cretaceous (about 100‑70 million years like the shamal (northerly wind). While the Zagros
ago) this movement was so rapid that it geological building blocks of the Emirate
overwhelmed the capacity of subduction have remained fairly stable for the past
Range
to effectively swallow the plate margins 500 million years, powerful tectonic
in a process whereby denser oceanic forces continue to re‑shape the geology
crust sinks below lighter continent crust. and landscape.

Consequently, the oceanic crust and Today, the Arabian Plate with Abu Dhabi
overlying sediments of the ancient Tethys as its ‘passenger’ continues its ancient
Ocean were thrust upwards onto the journey northwards relative to the Africa
north‑east margins of the Arabian Plate to Plate at 5–14 millimetres per year and to
form the unique geological structures of Eurasia at 27 millimetres per year.
the Semail Ophiolite and the underlying
Hawasina Nappes. The collision between
the smaller Arabian and massive Eurasian
Plates buckled and uplifted the plate
Basaltic volcanism
margins to form the Zagros Mountains. More
Erosion
More recently, in the Oligo-Miocene,
the opening of the Gulf of Aden and
Red Sea split the Arabian Plate away
from the African Plate, continuing its
journey alone. The forces associated
with this resulted in further uplift along
the north-eastern margin to produce the Less
Erosion
Hajar Mountains, which are still rising,
depending on location, at 2–6 millimetres
per year.
Continental crust
Crust uplifted
This movement received a powerful push and thinned
Lithosphere
in a north-easterly direction about four to

Geographic Inheritance ›  Restless Earth

five million years ago. Opposing forces Asthenosphere Continental Shelf
down-warped the Gulf area, although Arabian Plate
it is unclear when it was first flooded Red Sea
by ocean waters. What is certain is that Red Sea
the Gulf has been subjected to cyclical

Ophiolite
Erosion Over Time

African Plate
What lies beneath? - Ophiolite Formation   Ophiolite
Obduction &
Deposition
Ophiolites are rare sequences of rocks where a section of
the Earth’s upper mantle, oceanic crust and overlying
Continental crust sediments have been thrust upwards by tectonic forces.
Oceanic crust The Hajar Mountains include the world’s largest and best
exposed ophiolite complex which can be seen outcropping
Lithosphere between Dhaid and Dibba. It provides a unique
opportunity to examine rocks from deep within the Earth
Asthenosphere
and to understand plate tectonics and related processes.
 35

Climate Over Time The Air Masses Affecting the UAE Arctic
Characterised as being colder
than polar air masses, this

The Climate Today Nocturnal Inversion Layer

mass spreads cold air to the
southern UAE and leads to a
Continental Polar
significant drop in temperature.
Abu Dhabi’s climate behaviour is largely the result of variations in surface Characterised by low dew points,
Ra's Al Khaimah
At night, as the Earth’s surface cools, the cold temperatures and high
pressure and the movement of air, both vertically and horizontally. In general, Umm Al Quwain
air next to it also cools. This cool moist air Modified Maritime Polar stability, this air mass is mostly
Ajman
annual air circulation over the UAE can be grouped into two main periods, Sharjah (sometimes laden with dust) becomes blocked by the Zagros Mountains
winter and summer. Volatile atmospheric conditions characterise the two Dubai trapped beneath a layer of warmer air From cold ocean currents or high before reaching the UAE.
Fujairah overhead, resulting in fog in the early latitude ocean water, this air mass
transitional periods, autumn and spring, that separate the two main seasons. morning, when maximum cooling takes is known for producing drizzle,
place. This surface inversion will start to cloudy weather and long-lasting,
Abu Dhabi
break down soon after sunrise, allowing light rain.
Al Ain
the fog to dissipate.
Ghuwaifat f
i
Tar Al Khatam

Rainfall
Baynunah
Average Annual Rainfall Each Year
Az Zafrah The highest rainfall occurs during the
40 60 80 100 120 140 160 mm winter, the result of cyclonic cloud bands
that pass over the UAE driven by the
Liwa
westerly troughs. The average rainfall in Continental Tropical Maritime Tropical
Abu Dhabi is less than 100 mm annually,
although this varies across the Emirate Coming from the desert of The result of warm waters
The Indian The onset
of the geographically and from year to year; e.g. southwest Sudan, this air from the Arabian Sea and
Monsoon system last inter-g flowing from southeast of
lacial mass builds moisture over
fluctuated in
period saw
an
one day’s precipitation could exceed the
and rapid in abrupt total rainfall of two or three years. the Red Sea and can lead to the UAE, this air mass is
strength, influence crease
and geographic extent rainfall over in
The r thunderstorms over the Highland responsible for the majority
southern A e
rabia exper gion Arabian Peninsula. of thunderstorms in the UAE.
ience
anoth s
er p Air masses in the highlands, such
in rain eak
fall as the UAE’s Hajar Mountains,
can lead to thunderous conditions,
especially in the summer.
The
plu mos
vi tr
th al, k ece
Clim e ‘Ho now nt
a lo na
had tic O cene s
im a pr
p t im Winter (December to March) Spring (April to May)
dev pact o ofou um,’
elo n h nd
reg p um
io me a The Siberian High Pressure System
th n an n in n As the sun appears to move
arr e wa d pa the is dominant in the winter season,
iva y fo ved towards the north, the temperature
pas lof N r th
tor
al n eolith
om ic
e Autumn (October to November) its effect diminishing towards the begins to rise. The Siberian High
ads end of the season. The system Pressure System moves
250,000 180,000 causes north-westerly “Shamal”
190,000 As the sun appears to move towards northward, leaving the UAE’s
130,000 winds, leading to noticeable
120,000 the south, the surface air temperature weather at the whims of various
temperature fluctuations and rough
82,0
00 Summer (June to September) gradually decreases and weakens the
seas. The system, combined with
other synoptic pressure systems.
75,0 thermal lows as they move away Most notably, the extension of a
Palaeoclimate and Climate Change 00
50,0 from the region. The Siberian High westerly upper ridge winds and tropical cyclone from the Indian
The Emirate’s surface air
74,0 00 Pressure System moves towards its clear nights, can cause heavy fog Ocean to the Arabian Sea usually
00 temperature may exceed 50°C in
The Gulf region has experienced climatic changes throughout both 17,0 winter position, which can lead to late at night or in the early morning. results in rain and thunderstorms.
geological and human history. The overall trend or cycle of climatic change
0 0 some areas, especially the southern
Little Ice Age regions. This intense daytime high winds during the autumn. Fog is also quite common during
basically comprises warmer and wetter interglacial periods alternating Clear skies can also lead to rapid the spring.
with much cooler and drier glacial episodes, often spanning many Two hundred years ago, the last climate
9,0 heating causes a thermal low over night-time cooling. In fact, it may
00 Throughout the autumn, a col area
thousands of years. Historical evidence indicates conclusively that such disruption occurred, known as the ‘Little Ice 6,0 the Arabian Peninsula, which usually reach zero Celsius, or slightly
Age’ and, although there have been warmer
00
causes a hot, dry south easterly (an area located between two lows
environmental transitions are sometimes quite rapid and sudden. and two highs opposite each other) below, on high mountains and in
periods prior to this disruption, the world 5,0
00
wind. some interior regions.
has since been experiencing a persistent affects the region. When the water
and accelerating warming phase.
Furthermore, the Indian Monsoon temperature of the Arabian Gulf
Low provides the region with hot, reaches its highest point, atmospheric
Reconstructing Palaeoclimate   humid air masses coming from the moisture increases and causes
southeast. The eastern mountains frequent fogs throughout the UAE.
The Emirate’s landscape holds evidence of climatic changes including ancient often catch these air masses, causing
pluvial (wet) episodes. These resulted in the formation of lakes and deposition of a dynamic uplift and convective
lacustrine (lake) sediments, alluvial fans and gravels, palaeosols (fossil), soils cloud formation. In fact, the huge
and speleothems (cave formations) created by secondary mineral deposits, amount of moisture driven by the
typically in limestone. There are also many indicators of extreme dry periods that monsoon is responsible for most of
resulted in the development of extensive dune and sand seas such as the Rub’ the precipitation that falls over the
al-Khali, or ‘Empty Quarter’, which extends into the UAE south of the Liwa Oasis. eastern area of the UAE, which is
The climate cycle, especially rainfall, is partly affected by the intensity of the very high in the summer compared
southwest Indian Ocean monsoon system. to other parts of the country.

Geographic Inheritance  ›  Climate Over time

Temperature and CO2   Abu Dhabi Responds

During the past 400,000 years, studies show that global temperatures have Abu Dhabi has taken several steps to ``The Renewable Portfolio Standard,
risen when CO2 levels increase. Sudden increases in global CO2 reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) which commits Abu Dhabi to
concentrations, coinciding with the Industrial Revolution, have led scientists emissions and is working to enhance deploying renewable energy
to believe with greater than 90% probability that most of the global warming its understanding and to respond to its equivalent to 7% of Abu Dhabi’s
witnessed in the last 50 years is the result of human activities. own vulnerability to climate change. electric generation capacity by 2020
These include:
40 0 40 0 ``Vision 2030, an urban planning Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
CO2 Concentration (ppmv)

Carbon Dioxide Variations ``The MASDAR initiative, which strategy that emphasises
targets clean energy technology sustainable transport and land use
350 350 The shifting of the ITCZ significantly affects air circulation
investments planning
Summer Winter patterns in the UAE and, therefore, its climate conditions.
30 0 30 0
During the UAE’s summer, the Earth’s northern
``The Estidama programme, which ``The greater use of Compressed Arctic Circle
UAE hemisphere faces the sun, while the southern hemisphere
aims to ensure green building Natural Gas (CNG) in municipal Arctic Circle
Tropic of Cancer faces the sun during the country’s winter. As the transition
250 250 design vehicle fleets
Equator
UAE
between hemispheres takes place, its surface heating
Tropic of Capricorn SUN patterns shift along with it; due to this effect, major
40 0 ``The Ecological Footprint initiative, ``Takreer, which aims to produce Tropic of Cancer
20 0 160 0 20 0 pressure systems, wind belts and the ITCZ follow the
30 0 which seeks to measure and better Sulphur-Free Gas Oil (SFGO) to Equator
Thousa 20 0
Year (A 180 0 same route as the sun from hemisphere to hemisphere.
nds of Y 10 0
D ) understand the country’s GHG decrease diesel emissions and is Antarctic Tropic of Capricorn
ears Ag 0 20 0 0
The ITCZ leads to intense thunderstorm rains wherever
o emissions expected to be completed in 2010 Circle Antarctic
Circle it goes. Additionally, continental distribution affects
Earth’s Axis Earth’s Axis heating patterns and, thus, the location of the ITCZ.
 41

Water Then and Now

Until about 50 years ago, Abu Dhabi’s water requirements were met solely
from groundwater using traditional extraction methods. These often involved
shallow, hand dug wells or the Falaj system (man-made wells and channels that
collect ground, spring and surface water and distribute it by gravity to where
it is most needed). Past societies fully appreciated the finite nature and true
value of water and evolved ingenious conservation techniques for all stages
of water management, especially to its allocation and distribution. Today,
Abu Dhabi residents enjoy a level of access to safe and clean water that was
unimaginable only decades ago. The construction of the first desalination plant
in 1960 marked a milestone in Abu Dhabi’s development allowing plentiful
salt water to be converted into fresh water, thereby diminishing dependence
on limited natural fresh water sources. This capacity not only improved the
quality of life of citizens but effectively opened the previously water-deficient
islands and surrounding coastline to rapid urban development and population
growth, which continues today.
Now  
In contrast to the past, water demand in Abu Dhabi has now far outstripped the
natural supply. Total water consumption in the Emirate is today about 26 times the
natural production, and growing. At the current rate of withdrawal, the Emirate’s
groundwater resources will be entirely depleted within 20–40 years. While modern
methods such as desalination are technically efficient, they are very energy intensive
and there are significant environmental impacts to consider.

Abu Dhabi Water Consumption 

Then  
Traditional Wells   While traditional methods of water extraction and delivery were laborous, they were

56% 12% 23%

certainly sustainable, balancing natural supplies with local demands. Prior generations Agriculture
The exploitation and could not take water for granted since their very survival depended upon it. By necessity Agriculture in Abu Dhabi
development of water they developed ingenious methods for finding, distributing and conserving their water accounts for approximately
resources within the Emirate supplies. Settlements and farms could only grow to the extent that these could be supported Homes and Businesses 56% of all the water
by the local water supply. consumed. Most farms are

56 12% 23% 7% 2%
can be traced back to the Domestic use of
Bronze Age, commencing
3,000 years ago with various
% water for homes
and businesses
owned by citizens, although there are a small
number of large, government-run farms.
Generous government subsidies have promoted
innovations through the accounts for about agricultural expansion. Since 1970, farms owned
Iron Age and early Islamic 23% of total water by citizens grew from less than 2,000 hectares to
consumed in Abu Dhabi. Much
period through to pre-oil Marine Springs Rainwater Harvesting domestic water ends up at the
an estimated 80,000 hectares in 2007 – with
growth of nearly 5,000 hectares per year since
times and onto today. sewerage treatment plant, where it is the mid-1990’s. Agricultural expansion is
While fresh water springs are found There is evidence also offshore on treated and reused for urban landscape currently restricted due to the limitation and, in
Bronze Age wells discovered along the coastal belt of the UAE, mostly Marawah and on other islands, like irrigation. However, because of limited some cases, exhaustion of groundwater
at Hili show evidence of irrigation distribution networks, only supplies.
in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Al Aryam, of ancient water use in the 56% of the total treated water is re-
a traditional system of Fujairah, less notorious offshore marine form of rainfall harvesting. Gulleys used. The remainder is discharged into
accessing water that relied upon buckets. The traditional springs (which discharge freshwater were constructed to capture run-off and the Gulf.
jazra system, which uses animals to pull water from deep from the sea bed) have been known for channel it into nearby wells or cisterns.
wells, was still in use in the Emirate until a few decades centuries and have long been associated Six late Islamic period wells have been
ago. The same system may have been used over 4,000 with the pearling industry. The marine located about one kilometre west of the Urban Landscape

56% 12% 23% 7% 2%

Forest Plantations

56% 12% 23% 7% 2%

years ago, although the settlement’s inhabitants may also springs of Dalma Island have a village of Ghubba on Marawah.
have drawn up the water by hand. particularly long history and cultural The abundant green Forest plantations in Abu Dhabi
significance. Remarkably, the source of parks and street trees in were established in the past as part

56% 12% 23% 7% 2%

the Emirate’s urban Industry
of Sheikh Zayed’s desire to halt
this fresh water is in the distant Zagros areas consume nearly desertification – to ‘green’ the
Mountain range in Southern Iran, Industries like manufacturing
7% of the total water usage. Most of this desert, to stabilise dunes near development and to
and assembly plants only
reaching the UAE by travelling under the water comes from the re-use of treated enhance areas designated for wildlife. 80% of the
currently demand a small 2%
Underground
Arabian Gulf. sewerage, but it still takes a large amount
of the Emirate’s water
plantations are in the Western (Al Gharbia) Region.
of desalinated water to keep grass and This sector consumes approximately 12% (233
Section consumption. In part, this is because there are
other high water demand landscape plants million m³) of Abu Dhabi’s water supply annually.
Collection Since fresh water is less dense than alive and well in Abu Dhabi’s hot climate.
only a relatively small number of such businesses
From 1989 until the programme’s halt in 2006, the total
Open at present. However, with the opening of new
Section Conveyance Section
seawater, it naturally rises to the surface area under cultivation expanded on average 26%
industrial zones, the demand from this sector is
Section where the lighter colour is visible. expected to increase exponentially.
annually. Across the Emirate, over 63 million trees are
Mother Well
Shafts for Traditionally, marine spring water was Treated Wastewater Cycle irrigated by over 5,000 wells. Together with Rhodes
repair and cleaning harvested with buckets or alternately, grass, a perennial fodder crop, forests are irrigated by
362.4 million m3 of water annually (2006 data).
divers could capture the water closer to
Rocks the spring by using inverted jars or sacks
Forest Plantation
made of animal skins.
Homes, Business,
Aquifer Urban Landscape Industries
Water Used
for Agriculture

Resource of Life ›  Water Then and Now

Wetland
Aflaj   ABU
Abu Dhabi
DHABI
Pump Water Sources
Water Sources
Traditional canal systems (aflaj) were dug to tap
groundwater for irrigated agriculture and drinking water
Treatment Brackish
supply. In Abu Dhabi, these were utilised around the oasis 70.7% Groundwater
city of Al Ain from at least 3,000 years ago until today. They
Desert
are fed by the continually recharged shallow aquifer at the
base of the Hajar Mountains.
56% 0.5%
Fresh
Groundwater
Storage

The Aflaj of Al Ain have come under increasing stress Desalinated

24.0%
in recent years from declining groundwater levels and 44% Water

flows are no longer adequate to feed the historic oasis. Treated

Desalinated and treated wastewater is now used to keep Gulf 4.8% Wastewater
the garden city of Al Ain green.
 51

Offshore Water
The offshore marine environment in the Gulf is extensive and quite diverse.
It contains a rich and increasingly rare variety of species ranging from the
microscopic to the truly massive, all playing integral roles within the marine
ecosystem. The Arabian Gulf offers a unique and challenging environment
for its deep water inhabitants. These range from the microscopic ‘forests’ of
phytoplankton converting the sun’s energy into food; the ‘grazers’ that harvest
the plankton, including small jellyfish and massive whale sharks, and finally,
Lungs of the Ocean - Phytoplankton Revealed  
Phytoplankton are microscopic single cell tiny plants that
might not seem very important, but they are probably the
most critical component of the ocean food web. During
food production (photosynthesis) using sunlight as their
source energy, they fix carbon-dioxide (CO2) into organic
compounds. During this process, these microscopic
plants consumes large amounts of carbon-dioxide from
atmosphere and release oxygen. It has been
estimated that phytoplankton produce more
than half of the oxygen we breathe. Since
the phytoplankton are removing carbon-
dioxide and releasing oxygen into
atmosphere, they are sometimes
referred to as lungs of the ocean.
predatory creatures such as sharks, dolphins and sailfish that use stealth, Deadly Invaders  
speed and strategy to hunt their prey. The relative numbers of species may The heavy reliance on ship transport from
be quite small but the inter-dependent web-of-life sustained within the deep overseas has resulted in many marine pests
waters of the Gulf is intricate and essential to the vitality of the entire sea. arriving in the Gulf. The adverse impacts of
invasive species are not only ecological but also
economic, amounting to billions of dirhams of
losses to fisheries and aquaculture alone,
including costly efforts to eradicate and mitigate
often persistent and devastating effects. Every Lesser Crested Tern
year, an estimated 400,000 to 750,000 cubic Sterna bengalensis
metres of ballast water and other oily water is
Beware of Harmful Algal Blooms   discharged from tankers and ships that enter
Arabian Gulf waters, potentially releasing
Commonly known as algae, phytoplankton harmful invaders such as alien fish and jellyfish,
are usually a healthy green colour. crabs, toxic phytoplankton, worms and shellfish.
Changing conditions in the environment,
however, can cause rapid deterioration
into a heavy green, brown, yellow or red
discolouration with the
appearance of an oil slick.
This is termed a Harmful
Algal Bloom (HAB) that has
negative impacts on other
marine organisms and even
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins  
humans. Sometimes known
as ‘red tides’, HABs can Curious, gentle and social, the Indo-Pacific
stretch for many kilometres bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) is the most
and are especially damaging common cetacean in the Gulf waters, making up
about 70% of groups and individual marine
to marine life in the shallower mammals. Recognisable by their elongated snout or
waters prevalent along the Abu Dhabi Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin rostrum, bottlenose dolphins travel in groups or
Tursiops aduncus
coast. Under such conditions, HABs ‘pods’ ranging from a few to several hundred
deplete the dissolved oxygen in water and individuals and will often swim alongside the
bow of a moving boat. Their practice of
release toxins, resulting in mass fish kills
‘porpoising’ or leaping out of the water while
and serious economic losses for fisheries. swimming can be dramatic and is thought
to improve efficiency of locomotion.

Yellowstripe Scad
Selaroides leptolepis

Narrow-barred
Spanish Mackerel
Scomberomorus
Whale Shark commerson
Rhincodon typus

Indo-Pacific Sailfish
Istiophorus platypterus

Blue Jellyfish
Catostylus
mosaicus Sailfish Distribution and Migration  

Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) are perhaps the most distinctive fish in

Sea to Summit ›  Offshore Water

Carbon Catchers  
Phytoplankton influence the global climate. With two
thirds of the Earth’s surface covered by sea water,
phytoplankton photosynthesis removes a massive three
billion tons of the ‘greenhouse gas’ carbon dioxide
(CO2) from the atmosphere each year. This process
helps to slow down the warming of the planet. In
addition, phytoplankton not only consume carbon
dioxide to produce life-sustaining oxygen, but also
produce a chemical called Dimethylsulphide (DMS),
which aids cloud formation and helps to regulate the
climate.
Abu Dhabi’s waters. The dorsal fin running down the length of its spine
resembles a sail, which is a defence mechanism that it erects to frighten
would-be predators, or on occasion, to corral its own prey. Elongated,
sharp bills are another distinguishing trait of sailfish, one which they
share with their relatives, the marlins. Sailfish use these bills like a club or
bat, stunning their prey by slashing back and forth. But the most
remarkable talent of the sailfish is the one you’re most likely to miss –
sailfish have been clocked at speeds exceeding 110 km/hour, the fastest
recorded speed of any marine species! Blink once and they are gone!
Genetic analyses and tagging programmes
indicate that the Gulf sailfish show minimal
Orangespotted genetic mixing with sailfish outside the Gulf.
Trevally The reasons for their restricted movements are
Carangoides not entirely understood, but may be related to
bajad this population’s adaptive preference for the
Moon Jellyfish environmental conditions found within the
Aurelia aurita Gulf. Whatever the reasons, their restricted
range and genetic isolation make them a
unique feature of Abu Dhabi’s coastal waters.
Studies indicate these sailfish remain inside the
Gulf year-round, but migrate northwestward
during the spring into deeper waters.
 57

Coastal Habitats
The coastal habitats of Abu Dhabi are diverse, comprising of mangrove forests,
salt marshes, tidal flats with cyanobacterial (algal ) mats, sandy and rocky
beaches, coastal flats with low dunes, sabkhas, cliffs and rocky headlands. The
coastal vegetation of the region is likewise diverse, specialised and extremely
productive, notwithstanding often harsh growing conditions. Vegetation
types include halophytic (salt tolerant ) Dwarf Shrubs of the Goosefoot
family ( Chenopodiaceae ) and Caltrop family (Zygophyllaceae ). The parasitic
plants Red Thumb ( Cynomorium coccineum ) and Desert Hyacinth ( Cistanche
tubulosa ) are common in coastal areas in association with the chenopods. Salt-
tolerant grasses can also be found. Mangroves are well developed along parts
of the coastline and serve many valuable ecosystem functions. Cyanobacterial
Plant Communities and Contrasting Diversity  
Soil salinity, its capacity to hold water and the frequency of tidal inundation have a Rock Cliffs  
great influence on plant distribution and diversity in the coastal zone.
mats are widespread along the more extensive and sheltered areas of coastline. Precarious Habitat for Plants and Nesting Birds
Higher-order plants are able to colonise these mats when a thin covering of Salt-tolerant chenopods such as Arthrocnemum (Arthrocnemum macrostachyum),
Medium-sized cliffs relieve the monotony of
Halocnemum (Halocnemum strobilaceum) and Salsola (Salsola drummondii) are
blown sand accumulates on the surface providing the invading plants with the coastal landscape and are a characteristic
predominant near the shoreline as are mat-forming grasses and dwarf shrubs such feature along the southern Gulf coast.
a growing medium and anchor for their roots. Cemented sand dunes form as Sea Lavender (Limonium axillare). Halophytes like Sphaerocoma (Sphaerocoma Depending on the influence of salt-laden
rocky outcrops in scattered localities along the coastline in the more western aucheri) and Cornulaca (Cornulaca monacantha) colonise the coastal dunes while dust, these exposures are colonised by a mix
salt-tolerant succulents like Seidlitzia, (Seidlitzia rosmarinus) and Zygophyllum of halophytic and non halophytic species.
parts of the Emirate. Halophytic and non-halophytic annual plants occur on Plant species include Cornulaca (Cornulaca
(Zygophyllum qatarense) occupy the sand sheets. Commonly known as the 'string
these rocky outcrops, sometimes occupying the most precarious and unlikely of beads', Halopeplis (Halopeplis perfoliata) is the most tolerant of all the halophytes
monacantha), Helianthemum (Helianthemum
lippi), Panicum (Panicum turgidum) and
of locations. and is the dominant species in sabkha. Salsola (Salsola drummondii). The rock cliffs
are excellent habitat for Sooty Falcons (Falco
concolor), a medium-sized bird of prey that is
one of the most endangered bird species in the
Emirate.

Chestnut-bellied
The Coastal Sabkha   Sandgrouse
Osprey Salsola Pterocles exustus
Sabkha (meaning salt flat) is an Arabic term describing the often remarkably Pandion haliaetus drummondii
flat and salt-encrusted desert that is usually devoid of significant plant cover haliaetus
or indeed any obvious signs of life. The Emirate’s sabkha extends over
hundreds of kilometres along the coast and is a unique feature of the inland
landscape. High concentrations of salts (mainly calcium carbonate, gypsum, Sooty Falcon
anhydrite and sodium chloride) on the sabkha surface prevent the growth of Desert Wheatear Falco concolor
most plant species, and as a consequence, landscapes dominated by sabkha Zygophyllum Oenanthe deserti
qatarense
appear distinctly barren. Plant life is usually restricted to the margins of the
sabkha with Halophytes (chenopods) dominating these marginal niches.
Some plants are able to germinate on the sabkha surface after heavy rainfall, Cyperus
Cornulaca
since this leads to a temporary reduction in salt concentrations. Although arenarius
monacantha
appearing lifeless, upon closer examination sabkhas can support limited
plant communities, which, through resilience and adaptation, have come to
populate this most extreme of environments. The cracked crusty surface Sphaerocoma
provides a remarkable shaded micro-habitat exploited by several insect Curlew aucheri Rockrose
Sandpiper Helianthemum lippi
species in an otherwise barren landscape.
Calidris
ferruginea

Eurasian
Stone-curlew
Burhinus oedicnemus
Western
Reef Heron Sea Lavender
Egretta Limonium
gularis axillare Arabian Ground Gecko
Zygophyllum
schistacea Bunopus tuberculatus
simplex
Whimbrel
Numenius phaeopus

Lesser Crested Tern

Sterna bengalensis Red Thumb Eremobium
Cynomorium aegyptiacum
Jointed Glass Wort coccineum
Halocnemum Lesser Sand Plover
strobilaceum Charadrius mongolus
White Sand Dunes – Floral Communities-in-Waiting   Aizoon
canariense
Coastal white sands are derived almost exclusively from the remnants
Arthrocnemum of marine organisms and carbonate sediments. An important Crested Lark
macrostachyum Galerida cristata
characteristic of coastal white sands is the virtual lack of any direct
Striated Heron Marine Turtle Nesting  
Butorides striatus influence of salt, despite their proximity to the coast. Therefore, the
The most common species of marine turtle in Abu Dhabi’s vegetation is characterised almost exclusively by glycophytes (plants
waters are Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Green adversely affected by salts). Heavy rain at the onset of the cooler winter
(Chelonia mydas). These two species extensively use the warm period followed by occasional showers provides favourable conditions Kentish Plover
waters for foraging and the hawksbill hauls itself up on sandy Charadrius alexandrinus
beaches to nest close to sheltering vegetation.
for the flowering of desert annuals, with the populations of these plants alexandrinus
greatly reduced in drier years. Paronychia
Desert Hyacinth arabica
Cistanche tubulosa

Asian
Desert Warbler
Hawksbill Sylvia nana
Turtle
Eretmochelys
String of Beads imbricata Blue
Halopeplis perfoliata Spotted Arab
Colotis phisadia

Sea to Summit ›  Coastal Habitats

What’s Special About Halophytes?  
Chelonia mydas
Only around two per cent of all plant species
are halophytes. These plants are specially
adapted to salty environments. Adaptations
may take the form of salt tolerance (capable
of absorbing and storing saline water) or salt
avoidance (by timing reproduction when salt
concentrations in the environment are low).
Some halophytes are succulents; they are
capable of storing large amounts of water in
their leaves – another adaptation that allows
them to persist during periods of drought.
Plant Root Detail  
Arabian Primrose
Green Turtle Coastal white sands are generally favourable for
Arnebia decumbens
plant growth in arid regions because of the
capacity of the coarse sand to store water, often
for substantial periods. When it does rain on the
dunes, water percolates the upper sand layers
Sindh Saw-scaled Viper
rapidly and is not lost through surface run-off. Echis carinatus sochureki
As the upper regions of sand tend to dry out
rather quickly, substantial water is stored in the
subsurface sand layers where it is protected from
evaporation. Consequently, even plants with
rather shallow roots are able to tap into this periodic
water. Once these plant colonies have established
themselves, they serve to stabilise the dunes.
 79

Oil & Natural Gas Economy “Oil is worth nothing unless it is used in the service of the people”
Sheikh Zayed
The Paradox of Plenty
The Emirate of Abu Dhabi has transformed its society into a modern city-state Most importantly, the revenues continue to be used to provide essential
primarily due to the income from its oil and gas production. While some services and educate the people, whom he described as “the real wealth of
hydrocarbon rich nations have experienced a ‘natural resource curse’ including the nation.”
corruption, conflict and one-dimensional economies subject to volatile
international terms of trade, Abu Dhabi and the UAE have avoided this plight As a result, Abu Dhabi’s economic policies have been prudent and forward-
as a result of the resolute leadership and vision of the late President looking with surplus revenues from oil and gas exports being invested at
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who correctly observed that oil could be home and overseas to purchase a range of assets and to diversify sources of
“both a blessing and a curse.” national income. Government promotion of public-private partnerships has
also fostered diversification within and beyond the energy sector to remain Pursuing Innovation  
Sheikh Zayed implemented a policy where the revenues from oil and natural competitive within a dynamic world economy.
Abu Dhabi has embarked upon many innovative projects
gas should be invested in the development of other sectors of the economy. to become a global leader in knowledge as well as energy-
based activities. For example, as one of the world’s
Oil Proven Reserves lowest-cost producers of oil and natural gas, Abu Dhabi
Fundamentals of the Oil and Natural Gas Economy   has a comparative advantage in non-fuel uses. Through a
(Colour represents crude oil reserves, in billion of barrels)
joint venture, ADNOC’s investment in polymers
Proven oil reserves are defined as in global demand, which can be development is one of the most sophisticated in the
those that have a reasonable affected by economic conditions, world, while its strategic geographic position provides
certainty (90% confidence in geopolitical events and even access to both the mature markets of Europe as well as

accuracy of projections) of being weather conditions throughout the  newly-emerging economies like China and India.
recovered utilising current world.The UAE’s current production 
technologies and under current allocation by OPEC (mid-2009) is Furthermore, for many years state-of-the-art plants have
political and economic conditions. set at about 2.2 million barrels per   used natural gas to produce both Abu Dhabi’s electricity
As of 2007, the UAE had an day. Based on current reserves
267 bn

 and desalinated water needs. As population projections
estimated 97.8 billion barrels of and production rates, the UAE is   demonstrate rising demand for both these resources
proven oil reserves, 95% of which projected to continue its oil and
110 bn 
   throughout the UAE, technological innovations will
belongs to Abu Dhabi Emirate, gas production well into the next   continue improving efficiency in the power, water, oil and
along with significant natural gas century.
30 bn

gas sectors to not only meet future demand, but to also


  
reserves. Based on these estimates,


   address and minimise environmental impacts.




0
Abu Dhabi ranks fifth in the world However, decisions about how 


   
much oil and gas to extract, and Reserves in billions of barrels  

 
in oil and gas reserves, although  
relative to the number of its citizens, from which reserves, and assuring
 
 


Saudi Arabia 266.7
 


 


it ranks second only to Kuwait. efficient delivery to local and Canada 178.1



 


Iran 136.2
Moreover, much of the Emirate’s oil international customers, is a highly


Iraq 115



is relatively easy and inexpensive complex business that the UAE Kuwait 104
to extract, particularly onshore. addresses at a national level. In Venezuela 99.4
Abu Dhabi, such intricate decisions UAE 97.8
The UAE is a member of the are guided by the Supreme Russia 60
Libya 43.6


Organisation of the Petroleum Petroleum Council and supervised Nigeria 36.2
Exporting Countries (OPEC). by the Abu Dhabi National Oil

Member countries try to achieve
stable prices and sustainable
Company (ADNOC) and its 14
subsidiaries and joint venture

production capacities, permitting companies.
them to alter their actual amount
of production to meet variations
 

 





 
























 
  





 




  Masdar City




(Night View of

 
   


 

Street, Artist's








Impression)
    


   




  
 






 







 


 


 


 

Natural Capital ›  Oil & Natural Gas Economy








The Drive for Diversification   
 
  Masdar Solar Plant
Established in 1971, ADNOC and its 14 subsidiaries and joint venture companies 
are now diversified into exploring, producing, processing and marketing the Abu Dhabi’s Economic & Population Growth
natural hydrocarbon resources on which the world economy depends. This 
 Environmental & Social Considerations  
includes crude oil, natural gas, liquefied gases, refinery products, polymers,  
 
lubricants, fertilisers, chemicals, and services like onshore and offshore drilling Total GDP 26,588 79,930 519,922     ADNOC and its Group of Companies have an Abu Dhabi has a truly long-term vision for
 
operations, construction, transportation, storage and distribution. (AED millions)
excellent track record of dealing with and its leadership role in the energy sector. In
 
Population 211,812 829,535 1,559,000
   reporting on Health, Safety and Environmental particular, it has created the Abu Dhabi Future
However, economic diversification is gradually reducing the role of oil and issues. As part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Energy Company (ADFEC) to develop innovative
Non-Oil GDP 24% 44% 36%
gas in Abu Dhabi’s economy. Its share in total GDP varies with the price of oil Group, coordinated by EAD, ADNOC will expand solutions for energy security and environmental
 
but has fallen from over 70% during the 1970s to about 50% today. Oil refining Oil GDP 76% 56% 64% its monitoring and reporting strategies to cover sustainability. ADFEC’s many projects and
   
now represents less than half of Abu Dhabi’s growing manufacturing sector. economic, social and environmental issues in initiatives, including the Masdar City Project
1975

 
2008
1992

Diversification is a key element of Abu Dhabi’s Economic Vision 2030. While    accordance with the United Nations sponsored (world’s first carbon neutral city), aim to promote
the oil and gas sector will continue to grow and will remain significant, the   Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Working innovative technological solutions to combat the
strategy calls for an increased share by other sectors of the economy, including together with the Air Quality Committee, ADNOC social and environmental externalities of oil and
downstream oil and gas activities. The overall intent is to reduce the economy’s and EAD are also striving to convert 20% of the gas dependency and to also support the Emirate’s
relatively high dependence on oil and the cyclical swings which accompany it. most polluting government-owned vehicles in vision and goal of economic diversification.
the Emirate to run on clean natural gas by 2012.

Oasis Settlements
The Bronze Age
At certain locations in the desert, water originating from mountain ranges
many kilometres away can be drawn from aquifers deep below the ground. In
some places, the water emerges at the surface as natural springs. The discovery
of these water sources led to the establishment of camps and seasonal
settlements across the Emirate.
Copper Production  
Large settlements such as Hili to the
north of Al Ain, as well as the hundreds
of stone cairns in the foothills of
Jebel Hafit, indicate the local population
probably grew during the early Bronze
Age, starting around 3200 BC. Copper
production would have required a
settled and specialised labour force,
which would have been fed by the
expanding agriculture. The UAE’s first
urban settlements emerged at this time.
Inhabitants used copper locally for
weapons and agricultural implements
and exported the rest in exchange for
imported goods. Even into the ‘Iron Age’
the UAE continued to use copper instead
of switching to the new metal. This was
probably because of the wide availability
of copper in the mountains.
Umm al-Nar Period (2600–2000 BC)  
The island of Umm al-Nar, adjacent to Abu Dhabi
Island, has given its name to one of the most
significant periods in the history of southeastern
Arabia. Archaeology as a science in the UAE was
first practised at this site with excavations in
1959 by a Danish team that identified a settlement
from which smelted copper was exported to the
powerful dynasties of Mesopotamia as well as
over 50 large stone-built collective graves.
Evidence of the Umm al-Nar civilisation exists
throughout the UAE and northern Oman.
Stone-built houses from Umm al-Nar island
provide a contrast to the sun-dried mud-brick
homes typical of Hili, located near Al Ain.
Archaeological work at Hili has revealed a
number of settlements and tombs from the
Umm al-Nar period. These settlements included
a high tower, built around a well that used
During the Bronze Age (3200–1250 BC), villages developed around the life-
giving waters of oases in the Al Ain area, in eastern Abu Dhabi, where date
palms, wheat and vegetables were cultivated and animals were reared. Control
of water enabled a more sedentary lifestyle while the discovery of how to mine
and smelt copper from the nearby Hajar Mountains permitted the development
of trading links with distant civilisations in Mesopotamia (Iraq) and the Indus
Valley (Pakistan).
Hafit Period (3200–2600 BC)   
Date stones from cultivated date palms and three
different cereals, including barley, two varieties of
wheat, peas and a variety of melon, among other
archaeobotanical remains, were found at a site
known as Hili 8, just south of Al Ain. These artefacts
exemplify Hafit period archaeology and highlight the
importance of the area during the Early Bronze Age,
while also suggesting the type of farming undertaken
by these early inhabitants. There is further
archaeological evidence that the UAE’s earliest
inhabitants kept domesticated cattle, sheep and
goats.
Furthermore, dotting the northern and eastern slopes
of Jebel Hafit are over 500 circular stone graves
dating to the Hafit period. Known as ‘Hafit-type’
graves, they were first discovered and excavated
here and comprise massive cairns of uncut stone
piled around a keyhole-shaped chamber. One, two
or three ring-walls encircle the chamber, rising to
a height of three to four metres. Narrow entrances
on the wall typically faced the sun, raising the
unanswered question of whether or not this had
something to do with Shamash, the Sun God, whom
the Mesopotamians worshipped. Although most of
these graves were plundered by grave robbers in
buckets to draw water. One building was several
metres high with a thick circular wall enclosing
several rooms and a central well, surrounded by
a moat. It was probably the fortified dwelling of
a community leader.
Trade contacts with both Mesopotamia and
the Indus Valley expanded during the Umm al-
Nar period. Copper was widely exploited and
exported, as was the stone known as diorite.
Diorite comes from the Hajar Mountains and
was used to make statues of the great rulers of
Mesopotamia.
The aforementioned collective tombs are the
most notable element of the Umm al-Nar culture.
On Umm al-Nar Island itself, the burial chambers
are usually circular, with diameters ranging from
six to 14 metres and built of dressed stones. In
87
Wadi Suq Period (2000–1250 BC)  
Named after sites first identified in the Wadi Suq, Evidence shows that jewellery has been made
between the Gulf of Oman and Al Ain, the Wadi and worn in the region for some 7,000 years.
Suq period followed on from the Umm al-Nar Accessories included hairpieces, bracelets, rings,
period. In fact, a number of settlements reoccupied anklets and necklaces.
earlier sites, but exhibited markedly different burial
patterns. Although the first burial site from this Further evidence indicates that
period in the Emirates was discovered in Al Ain, some of Abu Dhabi’s islands may
the Shimal area to the northeast of Ra’s al‑Khaimah have been used as temporary
offers the best archaeological evidence of the way‑stations or trading
period, including a settlement and several graves. settlements by sailors from
Among artefacts typical of the period are small Bahrain (ancient Dilmun), on
gold and silver pendants in the shape of two‑headed their way to Hormuz.
mythical animals.
antiquity, excavations have shown that each grave
held the remains of more than one person, perhaps
a family.
The excavations of the Hafit graves yielded small
fragments of copper and several bronze objects,
in addition to small collections of pottery, mostly
originating from Mesopotamia approximately
5,000 years ago. These are described as the Jemdet
Nasr type, named after an archaeological site near
Babylon in Iraq famous for its distinctive polychrome
pottery.
Human Journey ›  Oasis Settlements
A Unique Seal  
Recently, a small, unique and fascinating
archaeological discovery was made in
Abu Dhabi and in a rather unusual place. This
small green stone cylindrical seal, about the
size of the last joint of a finger, was found on the
surface of the desert near Medinat Zayed during
an EAD-sponsored soil survey of the Emirate. Experts have dated the seal to the Jemdet
Nasr period, around 5,000 years ago, at the
some cases, over 300 individuals were buried
The seal is marked with beautifully inscribed beginning of the Bronze Age. Originating in
in a single tomb. Towards the end of the Umm
decorations of women with their hair tied back Mesopotamia (present day Iraq) it is the only
al-Nar period, however, burial patterns changed,
in plaits, a stylised couch and a spider. Pierced such artefact of its type and period to have been
and people began to be buried in a subterranean
with a central hole, it would probably hang found in Arabia, although it is not possible to be
pit. The reason behind this change of tradition
around the neck of the owner to be used as an certain how, or when, it actually arrived at the
remains a mystery.
official stamp. site where it was found.
 99

5
Population & Economy Growth
Top Expatriate
Nationalities by Population
India
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Egypt
The emirate of Abu Dhabi’s population has been growing at a phenomenal was tiny (46,500 in 1968) and lacked most of the technical skills needed for a Jordan
rate, from 46,500 in 1968 to an estimated 1.72 million in 2009. Furthermore, modern society. The commercial production of oil triggered rapid population
anticipated growth would leave the city of Abu Dhabi, whose population was growth that resulted in improved living conditions for the national population
22,000 in 1968, at over 3 million in 2030. Incredible growth was also seen in all and the large-scale influx of mostly male expatriate labourers. This has created
of the other emirates, including Dubai and Sharjah, whose 1968 populations an imbalanced population composition in favour of males. About half of the
were 59,000 and 31,500, respectively. expatriates in the Emirate are South Asian, whereas the remainder are mainly PHILIPINES
from other countries in the Gulf, East Asia and western English-speaking
Experts predict that the teenage and mid-life population sector will dominate countries.
NEPAL BANGLADESH
by 2030, while life expectancy will surpass 80 by 2050, resulting in a rapid
growth in the number of retirees. As the population profile shifts in this Oil resources have enabled massive modernisation in the UAE. Small coastal INDIA
INDONESIA

PAKISTAN
manner, areas of growth and demands of public services change significantly. towns have been transformed into commercial capitals integrated into the SYRIA IRAN

global economy. Because of the harsh desert interior and massive inflows of UNITED KINGDOM
LEBANON IRAQ
SRI LANKA
The emirate of Abu Dhabi has also continued to become more ethnically expatriates, 80 per cent of the population lives in the modern coastal cities of JORDAN
OMAN
diverse, with Emirati nationals, known as al Muwateneen, accounting for only the Emirates, which have become highly dynamic and culturally diverse. GAZA STRIP
about 20 per cent of the population. Before 1970, the Emirate’s population YEMEN Top 20 Expatriate
EGYPT
SOMALIA Nationalities by Population
3 mi
llion

Population Breakdown   SUDAN ETHIOPIA 1 - 10 11- 20

The last census for Abu Dhabi in 2005 highlighted a
rapidly growing and diversifying population in the
Emirate. Abu Dhabi is a favoured regional
destination for expatriate workers, the majority of
whom come for temporary and financial reasons.
6.03%
of Abu Dhabi is typified by a disproportionately
high percentage of young people who will have Pillars of Economic Vision
15° 15°
high expectations in terms of their quality of life 1.7 m
and tend to exert higher demands on social as well illion The Abu Dhabi government plans to
Average annual
balance the revenue generated from
as environmental resources. In fact, the age group population increase
non-oil trade with new national

Population
They include thousands of labourers working in the between 10 and 29 years for the UAE represented of Abu Dhabi emirate
industries by 2028. Their aim is to
from 1958 to 2009
construction sector, skilled ‘white collar’ over 45% of the total population in 2005 and may reduce unemployment among
professionals and several other prominent groups. have increased in subsequent years. Instilling citizens to 5%, effectively achieving
Abu full employment, and to increase
The resulting diversification of Abu Dhabi’s environmental awareness amongst these young Rapi  Dhabi’s GDP by more than five times by the
d Gr
population has been dramatic – especially in the people is essential to preserving the Emirate’s owt
h year 2030.
years corresponding with rapid economic growth. unique environmental inheritance.
58,0 0
0
Improvements in health care, education and 1952
living standards from the 1970s onwards fuelled a
population explosion. Today, the Emirati population Age
80+ Female Male 2010
2030

80%
75-79
70-74
65-69
Expatriates 60-64 UAE Nationals
55-59 Expatriates

32.8% 96.5%
50-54

532
45-49
40-44
35-39
Abu Dhabi’s percentage 30-34 2007 Employment
of UAE’s total population 25-29 Number of schools in rate of Abu Dhabi
“The Emirate has the largest

20%
20-24 Abu Dhabi Emirate (2007)
15-19
10-14
‘sovereign wealth fund’ in the world”
Emirati Nationals 5-9 (Population in Thousands)
80+
0-4
75-7
9
75 25 0 25 75 125 175 225
4
70-7 E
9
MAL
65-6

ALE
4
60-6
FEM 9
55-5
4
50-5
9
45-4
4
40-4
9
35-3
4
30-3
9
25-2
400
20-2
4
Environmental
Economy Fuelling Population Growth  
225

15-1
9
125
350 Well Being
4
10-1
300
Diversifying Towards Sustainability  
75

5-9
2002

25

Parallel to the growth and 250

0
0-4 25
2003

diversification of the Emirate’s 75

200
2004

Sustainability remains the cornerstone of generations with the assets, expertise and
population, recent decades have
2005

150
Dem economic diversification in Abu Dhabi, skills to adapt to a dynamic world while
witnessed a similar trend within
2006

ogra 100
phic which now has many strategic plans for making steady progress towards a
2007

the economy. The wisdom behind Dist

Pathways ›  Population & Economy Growth

ribu 50 future development. This has minimised sustainable economy that values and
this deliberate strategy is captured tion
0 the risks and volatility associated with a protects both the environment and human
within the simple proverb: don’t Million hydrocarbon-dominated economy. Perhaps well being.
keep all your eggs in one basket. (AED)
more importantly, it will endow future
Economic growth, diversification Investing in Diversification Social
and sustainability are strongly Infrastructure
inter-linked and essential in a Long-term economic transition began
40% OTHER
globalised, highly competitive 60% OIL in the mid-1970s when the first Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030  
‘downstream’ oil and gas industries
and fast-changing world. were initiated, including oil refineries
and gas liquefaction, followed by a The emirate of Abu Dhabi has adopted an intangible wealth of human resources
Abu Dhabi’s per capita Gross Domestic Product is among the petrochemical industry. Subsequently, innovative and pragmatic approach to through investments in education and
highest in the world, comparing favourably with other economies the energy sector has further economic diversification by “making haste health, which are elements of the social

28.7%
diversified into products such as
in the region. In 2008 the Emirate obtained over 60% of its GDP
plastics, lubricants, fertilisers,
from oil and gas, a sector whose share has expanded in recent
chemicals and services including
years due to increasing world-wide energy demand. However, construction, port operations and
for decades, Abu Dhabi has invested in the transition from specialised vessels, storage and
Abu Dhabi’s GDP growth distribution. Beyond the energy sector,
dependence on the finite commodity of oil and gas to an
rate between 2004-2007 recent initiatives include
economy that is well-diversified and sustainable. Because development of steel and aluminium
of these investments, the Emirate’s non-oil economy has industries as well as manufacturing,
grown substantially over the last 20 years. such as vehicle assembly.
Balance Towards Sustainability
slowly.” Many diversification initiatives and
investments have been under way for some
time and can be readily funded from current
oil revenues even during global economic
slow-downs or recessions. The Emirate has
the the largest “sovereign wealth fund” in the
world and its present and future citizens will
not only inherit a diversified economy but
also leading-edge assets and opportunities
to pursue creative, knowledge-based
activities. This will build the essential
infrastructure that allow people to work
together more productively.
Sovereign
Abu Dhabi, through its Economic Vision Wealth Fund
2030, plans to enhance the combination
of human, physical and financial
capital to generate the productivity and
competitiveness it needs to drive economic
growth forward. With these elements in
harmony, the twin targets of economic
development and stability will be met.
 52°E 53°E 54°E 55°E

153

Marine Water Quality

Marine Water Quality Parameters; High and Low Sampling Points Comparison
Marine Water Quality Studies
Parameters Musafah South Channel Arzanah Difference
(confined eutrophic area) (offshore reference site)
25°N

25°N
Nitrate-N (µg/L) 3,135.08 1.3 3,133.78

Mean Annual Values, 2008 Zirku

Phosphate-P (µg/L)

Total coliform(cfu/100ml)
977.50 7.1 970.40

281.17 0 281.17

172.7
Arabian Gulf

12.2
10.5
Since 2002, EAD has conducted monthly marine water quality Results of water quality surveys indicate

0.1

29.5
surveys at eight sites in the Arabian Gulf. The goals of EAD’s that confined areas (near-shore locales
monitoring programme are to: characterise the spatial and surrounded by islands) are more
temporal patterns of basic marine water quality parameters; Arzanah susceptible to the negative effects of
identify significant changes that may indicate environmental trends anthropogenic activities compared to
and emerging problems; assess all point and non-point sources coastal and open waters. These confined
of pollution; evaluate the impact of anthropogenic activities on areas, such as Musaffah, are experiencing
marine water quality; and provide data that can be used to make deteriorating marine water quality
appropriate decisions regarding coastal permit applications. conditions. Based on the success of the

103.1

2.0
programme, EAD revised and increased Abu

189.6
12.6
Dhabi

12.6
their survey to include 17 sites in 2006.

16.1
12.0

0.4
189.0
0.6

153.4
11.7

109.7
13.4
36.8

31.3
Al Yasat

0.4

25.3
Corniche
MPA Dalma

212.6
Marawah Marine

11.9
Mubarraz
Biosphere

0.8
Reserve

184.4
12.5
12.3
Musaffah

37.9
Bul

176.1
12.8
Syayeef Bani Yas
168.4

0.6
10.9

11.0
35.3
31.1

Sir Bani Yas

6.8
0.0

Mean Annual Water

Quality Values Jebel Marawah
Al Yasat
Dhanna
Abu al-Abyadh

Ruwais

Sila'a
Silicate (µM)
Nitrate-N (µg/L)

Ammonia (µg/L)
Phosphate-P (µg/L)
Nitrite-N (µg/L)

Tarif
24°N

24°N
20 0 20 40 Kilometres

Al Ain
52°E 53°E 54°E 55°E

Ghayathi

Harmful Algae Abundance, 2008

25°N

25°N
6
Phytoplankton is a microscopic single cell plant (algae) that occurs HABs have been monitored by the EAD
naturally in marine waters, contains chlorophyll and is usually green since 2002. In response to increased bloom
4
in colour. Massive proliferations of these microscopic plants are called incidences in Abu Dhabi’s Arabian Gulf
phytoplankton blooms or algal blooms. A Harmful Algal Bloom 8
waters, EAD initiated a survey to study
(HAB) is a bloom that has deleterious effects on marine organisms the impacts of harmful algae on marine 2

and humans by producing harmful toxins and reducing the dissolved

oxygen content of water. The Arabian Gulf has witnessed an increase
biodiversity and human health. The role of
ballast water (from ships) in introducing
Arabian Gulf
0

in HABs over the last decade, presumably caused by airborne dust, Arzanah
bloom-forming species is being examined 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
coastal development, anthropogenic activities and climate change. and plans are being developed to control
Algal Bloom Incidents, 2002 - 2008
and lessen the harmful effects of these algal
blooms.
Marawah Marine
Biosphere 6
6
Reserve
Abu
5 Dhabi
Al Yasat Corniche
MPA Dalma
6
9
Mubarraz

Musafah
Bul
5
3 Syayeef Bani Yas
Sir Bani Yas

Al Yasat
Jebel Marawah
Dhanna
Abu al-Abyadh

Ruwais

Marine Water Quality Sila'a

Sampling Area Tarif
Algal Blooms
24°N

24°N
Total Different Types of
Harmful Algae 20 0 20 40 Kilometres

in
Abundance

Al A
52°E 53°E 54°E 55°E

Ghayathi
 52°E 53°E 54°E 55°E

171

Palaeontological Ra's al-Khaimah

Archaeological Umm
al-Qaiwain

and Arabian Gulf Ajman

Sharjah

Qatar

Historical Areas Sir Abu Nu’air (Sharjah)

Dubai

Site Density
More than 1,600 cultural heritage sites are south to the desert interior at Umm al-Ishtan and Jaw
25°N

presently registered within Abu Dhabi Emirate.
These include more than 1,300 archaeological sites,
150 palaeontological (fossil) sites, and 80 historic
buildings.
Fossil sites are concentrated in the Western (Al
Gharbia) Region along the coast between Jebel
Barakah and Rumaitha, and extending inland 45 km
25°N
al-Dibsa. Archaeological sites are found throughout
the Emirate with notable concentrations on the
coast and islands as well as Al Ain. Historic buildings
are restricted mostly to Abu Dhabi Island and the
surrounding area, Al Ain, Liwa and Dalma Island.

Dalma
Abu
Dhabi

Sir Bani Yas

Marawah Musaffah
Bani Yas

Jebel
Dhanna
Al Ain

Ruwais
Rumaitha

Sila’a
Tarif
Jebel Barakah
24°N

24°N
bi
Dha
in
We
Ab

Al A
Abu
ste
uD
rn
Oman

ha
Ghayathi Habshan

Re
bi
gio
Jaw Al Dibsa

n
Madinat Zayed
Um Al Ishtan
Muzaira Fort, Liwa

Bu Hasa

Elephant Tracks, Mleisa

Liwa

Palaeontological,
Archaeological &
23°N

23°N
Historic Site Density

n
egio
1-3

rn R
in
3-8

Al A
te
Wes
8 - 14

14 - 23

23 - 78

Site Description Areas Ubaid Pottery Vessel, Marawah Saudi Arabia

20 0 20 40 Kilometres

52°E 53°E 54°E 55°E 56°E