**5. Results**

#### **5.1 The Northern coastline**

The upper part of the Northern Saudi coastline remains relatively undeveloped and contains interesting features such as mangrove and salt marsh habitats, coastal sand dunes, rocky shorelines, cliff formations and tidal creeks (Khores). Al Khafji Creek is the largest of the tidal creeks and has shoreward development. The mangrove and salt marsh habitats of Al Khafji Creek are threatened by this activity and other development, and the general discharge of waste. The remnants of an early mangrove plantation established in the 1980s appear to be growing well, however the need for protection against landfill encroachment at the head and mouth of the Creek is urgently required. There are around 2.5 ha of mangrove habitat in the Al Khafji tidal creek. Large expanses of salt marsh also occur, however, these continue to be impacted by ongoing land filling. This poses a serious risk to the Creek's ecosystem as there is a high probability that the Creek's waters and sediments will become polluted from leaching toxic materials sourced from illegally dumped wastes. Private sector partnerships are now undertaking a program to enhance the mangrove habitats of the Creek

data were included in a database to calculate areas and distances, and where required

**Spatial Res Comments** 

Bay

USGS Mosaic

USGS Mosaic

Sensor failing

Sensor failing

meters

meters

meters

meters

Dammam Area and Tarut

**Spectral Attributes** 

LANDSAT 1 & 2 Multispectral 60 meters

1990 LANDSAT 4 Thematic Mapper 14.25

2000 LANDSAT 7 Thematic Mapper 14.25

2005 LANDSAT 7 Thematic Mapper 14.25

2010 LANDSAT 7 Thematic Mapper 14.25

Table 1. Remote Sensing Systems Used to Determine Change

1980 LANDSAT 3 Multispectral 60 meters Sensor failing

2005 ASTER VISN 15 meters Selected areas only 2006 ASTER VISN 15 meters Selected areas only 2009 GeoEye Bands 1-3 0.6 meters Selected areas only

The Saudi coastline was divided into three coastal areas, Northern, Central and Southern coastlines. Data presented in this Chapter will illustrate changes in these coastal areas caused by development. A summary of changes along the entire Gulf coastline is also

The upper part of the Northern Saudi coastline remains relatively undeveloped and contains interesting features such as mangrove and salt marsh habitats, coastal sand dunes, rocky shorelines, cliff formations and tidal creeks (Khores). Al Khafji Creek is the largest of the tidal creeks and has shoreward development. The mangrove and salt marsh habitats of Al Khafji Creek are threatened by this activity and other development, and the general discharge of waste. The remnants of an early mangrove plantation established in the 1980s appear to be growing well, however the need for protection against landfill encroachment at the head and mouth of the Creek is urgently required. There are around 2.5 ha of mangrove habitat in the Al Khafji tidal creek. Large expanses of salt marsh also occur, however, these continue to be impacted by ongoing land filling. This poses a serious risk to the Creek's ecosystem as there is a high probability that the Creek's waters and sediments will become polluted from leaching toxic materials sourced from illegally dumped wastes. Private sector partnerships are now undertaking a program to enhance the mangrove habitats of the Creek

1934 Aerial photography Panchromatic Part of Tarut Bay 1955 Aerial photography Panchromatic Uncontrolled mosaic of

1967 Corona Imagery Panchromatic 1 meter 95% Coastal Coverage

statistics were calculated.

1972- 1973

included.

**5. Results** 

**5.1 The Northern coastline** 

Date **Remote Sensing System** 

through annual mangrove plantations. It is envisaged that with the development of additional mangrove intertidal habitat, that the Creek's ecological value will increase, and the area will became an important nursery habitat for fish and crustaceans as well as migratory birds.

Tanajib – Manifa Embayment on the northern coastline is the most recently developed coastal area to facilitate the expansion of the oil industry. The embayment is very shallow and to allow oil operations in the area; and to minimize impacts associated with dredging, boat traffic, cable networks, pipelines and oil spills; a causeway and marine pads (small islands used for drilling) were developed (Map 4). To further reduce the impact of these structures on the marine ecosystem, the company responsible went to great lengths to minimize the overall footprint of the causeway and pads (width and length reduced by almost half), and there was no dredging allowed within the embayment. The direction and exact location of the causeway was also redesigned to minimize impact on subtidal habitats and the natural water circulation patterns. Water circulation was modeled and changes were made to the design of the causeway to maximize circulation, resulting in the causeway being built parallel to the water current direction, and incorporating 14 bridges. Existing fishing navigation channels remained intact, and constant monitoring was instigated during all construction and initial operation work to ensure compliance with marine environmental standards.

Map 4. Change in Land Use and Coastline for Tanajib from 1967 until 2010

The majority of the population in this area are employees who work at the Tanajib industrial facilities. The change in the district has occurred as the offshore oil reserves have required primarily industrial infrastructure development. This expansion included offshore causeways, rig pads and service facilities for production platforms. Development was estimated to cover only about 200 Ha in 1967 and apart from recent oil and gas processing facility construction of just under 12,000 Ha at Manifa, little has changed within the general

Anthropogenic Induced Geomorphological Change Along the Western Arabian Gulf Coast 201

Map 5. Developed Coastline at Jubail from 1967 until 2010 (Corona Imagery 1967)

coastal zone. Map 4 geographically illustrates these changes. Coastal infrastructure accounts for 1,100 Ha of environmentally sensitive causeways and drilling pads.
