Understanding the Blue Foundation of Every Coastal Project
Before any coastal or marine development begins whether it’s a new jetty, island, desalination plant, or dredging activity—scientists and engineers must first understand what’s already there.
This process is called a Marine Environmental Baseline Survey, and it forms the backbone of every Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
conducted in UAE waters.
A well-planned baseline survey captures the existing physical, chemical, and biological conditions of the marine environment - essentially creating a “snapshot” of the ocean before any construction or modification starts. It helps predict how a project might affect the water, sediment, and living organisms, and what mitigation measures are needed to protect them.
The UAE’s Unique Marine Environment
The Arabian Gulf is a remarkable but fragile ecosystem. Despite its shallow depth and extreme conditions high salinity, temperature, and turbidity- it supports diverse marine life: coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangroves, turtles, dugongs, and countless fish species.
Projects along the UAE’s coastlines are designed within strict environmental frameworks established by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE).
The UAE’s Vision for a Low-Carbon Future
The UAE has long recognized that sustainability is not just an environmental issue, it’s an economic one too. Its Net Zero by 2050 initiative and Energy
Strategy 2050 aim to transform the country’s energy mix, targeting 44% clean energy, 38% natural gas, 12% clean coal, and 6% nuclear power by mid-century.
Massive investments in solar power, such as the Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park, and clean technologies like hydrogen and carbon capture, are already reshaping the nation’s energy landscape. These efforts also support the UAE’s role as a global clean-tech hub and a regional leader in sustainability.
How a Marine Baseline Survey Works
Water Quality Assessment
Scientists collect marine water samples at multiple depths and locations to measure parameters such as:
- Temperature, salinity, and pH
- Dissolved oxygen and turbidity
- Nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, ammonia)
- Hydrocarbons, heavy metals, and biological oxygen demand (BOD)
These samples are often collected using Niskin bottles or YSI EXO multiparameter sondes aboard survey vessels. The data help determine if the water is naturally pristine or influenced by nearby outfalls, dredging, or harbour activities.
Sediment and Soil Sampling
The seabed tells another side of the story. Using equipment such as Van Veen grabs, box corers, or sediment traps, teams collect soil and sediment samples to test for:
The law gives real power to action:
- Grain size and texture (sand, silt, clay)
- Organic matter content
- Trace metals, oil, and grease residues
- Microplastics and chemical pollutants
These analyses reveal how clean or contaminated the marine substrate is, which is crucial when planning dredging, reclamation, or pipeline
projects.
Marine Ecology and Biodiversity Surveys
The biological side of a baseline study examines everything living in the area—from tiny plankton to large fish and corals. Ecologists conduct:
- Benthic fauna surveys (organisms living in seabed sediments)
- Coral health assessments (bleaching, density, and coverage)
- Seagrass and mangrove mapping using drones and GPS tools
- Fish population studies using advanced underwater cameras
These surveys help identify sensitive habitats and protected species that must be preserved or relocated before construction begins.
The Eyes Beneath the Surface – DDV & BRUV Surveys
To study underwater life without disturbing it, marine specialists use high-definition underwater cameras mounted on frames:
- DDV (Drop Down Video): Cameras lowered from the boat to record the seabed at different sites. This gives a close-up view
of habitats, coral structures, and benthic organisms. - BRUV (Baited Remote Underwater Video):A camera system with a small bait container that attracts fish, capturing natural behaviour and species diversity.
Both DDV and BRUV methods are non-destructive and provide powerful visual evidence of marine biodiversity, especially in areas too deep or turbid for divers.
When Diving Becomes Science
In many surveys, specially trained scientific divers enter the water to collect direct observations,samples, and photo transects.Underwater ecologists record coral cover, identify fish species, and collects ediment or invertebrate samples. Dive teams often work under strict safety and EAD-approved protocols, using underwater slates and GoPro or DSLR camera housings to document conditions.
The Technology Behind the Data
Modern marine baseline surveys in the UAE integrate traditional field sampling with digital mapping and AI-based data analysis.
- GIS & Remote Sensing help create detailed habitat maps.
- Side-scan sonar and multibeam echo sounders reveal seabed topography.
- GPS-enabled sampling grids ensure data accuracy and reproducibility
- 3D modelling helps visualize habitats and predict how they might change post- construction.
From Data to Action
The results of a baseline survey feed directly into the EIA process, guiding developers and authorities on how to minimize environmental harm. Typical outcomes include:
- Identifying sensitive zones to avoid.
- Designing mitigation measures (silt curtains, timing restrictions, coral relocation).
- Setting monitoring parameters for construction and post-construction phases.
By comparing post-project data with baseline findings, regulators can assess whether impacts are within acceptable limits—and if additional action is needed.
A Sustainable Vision Beneath the Waves
Marine baseline surveys are more than technical checklists - they are a vital part of the UAE’s journey toward sustainable coastal development and Net Zero 2050.
Through accurate data, careful planning, and innovative tools like DDV, BRUV, and digital mapping, we gain a deeper understanding of our
marine ecosystems.
References:
1. Aguhob, J., Hamza, W., Reul, A., Musabih, M., Mustafa, S., & Muñoz, M. (2024). Baseline Habitat Setting for Future Evaluation of
Environmental Status Quality of Jabal Ali Marine Sanctuary, Dubai, UAE. Sustainability, 16(6), 2374
2. Bersuder, P., Smith, A. J., Hynes, C., Warford, L., Barber, J. L., Losada, S., ... & Lyons, B. P. (2020). Baseline survey of marine sediments collected from the Kingdom of Bahrain: PAHs, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides, perfluoroalkyl sustances, dioxins, brominated flame retardants and metal contamination. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 161, 111734.
3. Alhmoudi, S. A. O., Aldhanhani, H. R. A., Ridouane, F. L., Ateeg, M., Al Moalla, A., & Mirza, S. B. (2024). Study the impact of the
anthropogenic activities on the marine environment of fujairah offshore waters of UAE based on baseline surveys and buoy data. Journal of Marine Sciences, 2024(1), 1998158.
4. UAEnvironment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) Technical Guidance Document TG-05: Construction Environmental Management Plan
5. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) – UAE Marine Biodiversity Guidelines
6. Federal Law No. 24 of 1999 and Decree-Law No. 11 of 2024 on Climate Change Effects
