Environmental effects of the Gulf War on coastal areas north of Jubail - an overview

Hans-Karl Barth & Axel Niestlé

A b s t r a c t: The environmental effects of the 1991 Gulf War on ecosystems in the area between Abu Ali and Ras az-Zaur on the Saudi Arabian Gulf coast are described. The oil was deposited as a thick layer in a narrow, linear strip in the high tide zone. Damage to the fragile vegetation cover of the inland areas was caused mainly by the passage of vehicles during military activities. This Jas led to a partial remobilisation of sand formerly stabilised in sand sheets and fossil dunes. This reactivating process is self-accelerating and serious effects on the ecosystem in the medium and long-term scale are to be expected.

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