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Aboobacker, V.M.; Abdulla, C.P.; Al-Ansari, E.M.A.S., and Vethamony, P., 2024. Impacts of shamal and nashi winds on the hydrodynamics along the northeast coast of Qatar, central Arabian Gulf. 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. 609-613. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. The Arabian Gulf (hereafter the “Gulf”), a semi-enclosed basin with a maximum depth of 100 m, is connected to the Sea of Oman through the Strait of Hormuz. The seawater properties of the Gulf are nearly stable due to the exchange between the Sea of Oman and Gulf induced by the wind-driven surface inflow and the density-driven deepwater outflow. The currents in the Gulf were broadly studied, however, the characteristics of nearshore currents in the Qatar waters have not been investigated so far. This study presents the typical features identified from the measurements at a nearshore location along the east coast of Qatar, namely off Fuwairit (northeast cost; 7m depth). The analysis reveals that the northwesterly shamal and easterly nashi winds have significant role in the hydrodynamic circulation along the east coast of Qatar. During shamal events, the southeasterly/east-southeasterly flow was enhanced, while the north-westerly flow was diminished, since the wind-induced flow was followed the tidal ebb flows, and the opposite was true during flood flows. When the shamal was very strong, it has even nullified the tidal flows. A continuous south-eastward flow for a period of 48 hours have been identified during such an event. During strongest nashi winds, the northwestward flow off Fuwairit has been enhanced, while the southeastward flow has been diminished. The surface winds obtained from ERA5 and the surface currents obtained from the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Services (CMEMS) has been used to further elaborate on the shamal and nashi wind effects on the Gulf circulation.

Aboobacker, V.M; Hasna, V.M.; Al-Ansari, E.M.A.S., and Vethamony, P., 2024. Nearshore hydrography along the coast of Doha, central Arabian Gulf. 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. 422-426. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Doha, the capital city of the State of Qatar has undergone substantial growth in population and infrastructure in the past few decades. Extensive land reclamation has resulted in changes in coastal morphology, especially on Doha Bay, the Pearl and the Lusail. Doha Bay is a semi-enclosed water body in the central east coast of Qatar. The characteristics of hydrography in the Doha Bay and adjacent regions are not well studied. This study presents the analysis of temperature, salinity, density, dissolved oxygen (DO), pH and chlorophyll-a collected off Doha (<15 m depth locations; 7 stations in all seasons; 4 other stations in 2 latest seasons) during October 2021, December 2021, June 2022 (pre-FIFA-2022), and March 2023 (post-FIFA-2022) using SeaBird CTD. The analysis reveals that the seasonal variations in temperature, salinity, density, DO and pH are statistically significant, while the horizontal variations are not significant. The chlorophyll-a has significant horizontal variability, while seasonal variability is not significant. There are four outfalls in Doha Bay, which discharges non-storm waters including groundwaters in limited quantity (0.114-1.241 m3/s). However, the changes in hydrographic parameters in the vicinity of the outfalls are marginal, except for DO. This has been verified when analysed the parameters during pre-FIFA-2022 (with discharges) and post-FIFA-2022 (no discharges) conditions. The sea surface temperature off Doha ranges from 27.8-29.0°C, 22.5-23.7°C, 28.0-29.2°C and 20.6-22.2°C, respectively, during the four seasons. The sea surface salinity ranges 39.3-40.6, 39.4-40.3, 37.3-39.2 and 40.6-42.0, respectively. The lowest salinity is obtained during summer, while the highest is obtained during winter; the latter is due to the relatively higher evaporation induced by winter shamal winds. The DO ranges 5.9-6.4, 6.5-6.8, 5.9-6.7 and 7-7.3 mg/l, respectively. The temporary closure of outfalls during FIFA-2022 has resulted in significant increase in DO, in addition to the well-mixing due to winter shamal winds. The pH ranges 7.80-7.90, 7.97-8.02, 7.86-7.99 and 7.70-7.77, respectively. The chlorophyll-a ranges 0.22-0.91, 0.17-1.45, 0.15-1.69 and 0.22-1.0 µg/l, respectively.

This research investigates the present status and decadal variability of element distributions in the marine sediments off Doha, on the east coast of Qatar. Twenty elements were considered from 11 sediment sampling stations and 3 dust sampling stations by grouping them into major elements, toxic elements, and other trace elements. The results show elevated concentrations of certain toxic and trace elements, including Ba, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, V, Zn, Mg, and Ti, in the nearshore region, primarily influenced by the settling of dissolved elements under weak hydrodynamic circulations in the Doha Bay. The relatively higher currents in offshore enable quick advection and dispersion of the elements. On the other hand, the dust deposits have caused significant contributions to the Al, As, Mg, Ca, Sr, Fe, Zn, and Cd concentrations. Decadal variability is evident in element concentrations, which are linked to the urbanisation of the capital city in the State of Qatar. The Cu, Ni, V, Zn, and Cd concentrations indicate a notable increase in recent years compared to the last two decades, with values of about 20.7, 17.9, 25.0, 25.9, 0.66 ppm in 2022. In contrast, a few other elements fluctuate between the decades/years. The results pointed out the increased elemental concentrations in the bay due to the vast expansion of infrastructure facilities in the vicinity of Doha Bay in recent years. The Geoaccumulation Index resulted in a slight pollution of Cd, while other elements are unpolluted. The Degree of Contamination reveals low degree of contamination of sediments, and the Pollution Load Index illustrates no significant pollution in the sediments off Doha.

Marine pollution in shallow embayments is hazardous to human and marine health. This research investigates the environmental impact of sewage discharge from coastal outfalls on the semi-enclosed-shallow Doha Bay. Such a study highlights the impact of environmental stressors on the health of such bays. Also, the study assesses the spreading of the pollutant relative to the location of the pollution source. The bay is susceptible to sewage discharge as it is featured slow tidal currents leading to increased pollution concentrations within its basin. The concentrations and distributions of microbial water quality indicators ( E. coli , fecal coliform, and fecal streptococci ) were investigated parallel with physical and chemical water quality parameters. Water samples were collected from the outfalls and within Doha Bay for four months. The results show that the concentrations of discharged Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Organic Carbon (COD), Nitrites ( NO 2 − ) and ammonia (NH 3 ) has exceeded Kuwait Environment Public Authority (KEPA) maximum limits, specifically from the outfalls J3 and J4. In addition, the microbiological parameters were significantly breaching KEPA’s guidelines. The maximum fecal coliform concentration was 3.5 × 10 5 , 2.4 × 10 4 , and 5.4 × 10 3  CFU/100 ml, E. coli concentration was 2.2 × 10 5 , 1.2 × 10 4 , and 2.6 × 10 3  CFU/100 ml, fecal streptococci concentration was 7.25 × 10 2 , 4.4 × 10 2 , and 44 CFU/100 ml, at outfalls J3, J4, and J5, respectively, indicating high microbial pollution. The fecal coliform near J3 exceeds the allowable limits of KEPA by more than 600 times. Laboratory results were mapped to assess the microbial indicators within the bay. Spatially, the concentration of pollutants varies and correlates proportionally with the locations of the outfalls. The highly affected area is near outfall J3: a shallow, closed area with minimal water circulation and maximum sewage discharge. Offshore locations show lower pollution concentrations, and the pollutant concentrations were highest in January 2019 and February 2019. Continuing to discharge pollutants through coastal outfalls to regions such as Doha Bay will lead to long-term consequences, including eco-social, ecological, and adverse health impacts that are complex to be treated. Therefore, the bay needs an independent, comprehensive, and reliable monitoring program to measure the environmental indicators continuously.

Concentrations of 25 heavy metals (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Sr, V, Zn and Hg) in surface sediments along the Doha Bay from 10 transects each with five stations were studied. Significant differences were observed in metal concentrations between the sampling locations and durations. Higher concentrations were observed in areas where there are a lot of anthropological activities. The distribution of selected metals was presented in contour maps showing the variation between the two periods. In order to further study particle size effect on metal uptake, two different grinding times were administered on four randomly selected samples and the results showed no significant difference on the analysis in the inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) instrument. The overall results of metal analyses were within the international standards criteria, and the results were comparable to the previous studies conducted around Qatar.

Globally, waterfronts are the major attraction of most coastal cities. During the last decades, many cities worked on regenerating their waterfronts. For instance, the Doha Corniche, a seven-kilometre-long waterfront promenade around Doha Bay in Qatar, which was partially reclaimed from the sea. As a major open public space within the city of Doha, it is said that it offers a common area for the city’s residents and visitors to exercise, get fresh air and also reduce their sedentary lifestyle. In doing this, the Doha Corniche has been said to be important to the physical and mental health of its users. This is the aspect of sustainable urbanism where which advocates for harmonious interaction between people, the natural environment and infrastructure. This study, therefore, looks at the development of other waterfronts globally mainly looking at the reasons why they were developed and the process involved. It then carries out an urban image-ability analysis of the Doha Corniche using the Kevin Lynch theory to ascertain the waterfront’s status. In this analysis, the research also conducted a SWOT analysis in attempt to reveal the various parameters of the Corniche of Doha. From these observational analyses, it was identified that some areas require urban developments and treatments. From the investigation, the study listed some recommendations for improvements, which include the provision of shading, widening of paths, creation of comfortable open spaces as well as the introduction of public art.

In recent decades, Doha, the capital of Qatar, has experienced a large-scale transformation due to globalization and rapid economic growth. Recently, these changes have led to a focus on infrastructural development and the launch of the city’s metro project, whose success will depend heavily on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). TOD focuses on the “3Ds” principles—design, density, and diversity—aiming to create walkable neighborhoods and well-integrated public transportation, with diverse mixed land uses and high-density, sustainable growth. In combining the concepts of livability, sustainable urbanism, and urban sociology, TOD leads to the creation of vibrant and active neighborhoods. The present research project focuses on TOD around Doha’s West Bay metro station, using the city’s central business district as a case study. The aim of this research project is to investigate the existing site conditions of the West Bay area, evaluate them with respect to TOD principles, and then propose a master plan for improved development. The final product of the research project is a proposal with design guidelines that are aimed at increasing the ridership of the West Bay metro station and creating a more attractive and dynamic neighborhood.

Recent efforts to formulate strategies that will turn Qatar's capital city into a global hub have given rise to a debate about the morphological and functional composition of one of Doha's most prominent areas - West Bay. At the end of the 20th century West Bay, also known as Diplomatic Quarter, was chosen by public initiatives to become the new Central Business District of Doha. Today, the appeal of West Bay as a business hub is contested by other emerging urban centres – such as the highly integrated Al Sadd area, which has attracted a wide range of advanced producer service sectors. It is therefore the objective of this paper to investigate the spatial configuration of Doha's West Bay, which arguably lays the foundations for the socio-economic interdependencies necessary for its vitality and sustenance. In order to quantify its intrinsic urban complexities, Bill Hillier's space syntax methodology is applied, which elucidates, in various scales, global and local grid conditions, and thus can be used for assessments regarding the distribution of land use patterns and infrastructural networks.