Canadian researchers help U.A.E. build 'The World'

source The Vancouver Sun

When Great Lakes Institute marine biologist Ken Drouillard considers the sheer magnitude of development plans for the Persian Gulf city state of Dubai, the words from W.P. Kinsella's novel Field of Dreams come to mind: "If you build it, they will come."

In the United Arab Emirates' most populous city, they like to build big.

The economic boom there might have been measured in megatons over the past two decades and the sheiks presiding over the growth seem intent on keeping the construction cranes sprouting, for the benefit of jet-setting tourists and billionaire investors, for decades to come.

The most ostentatious real estate development involves the construction of four man-made islands offshore at a cost of between $6 billion and $8 billion, which will see the coastline increase to 1,200 kilometres from 60 to accommodate 1.4 million more people, shopping malls, marinas, residential developments, hotels, resort areas and every recreational toy the rich and famous could dream up.

Seen from above, the artificial islands are shaped like gigantic palm trees, including dozens of land spit "fronds." One artificial archipelago called "The World" covers 54 square kilometres and includes 300 small private islands, grouped together to form an atlas-like image of the Earth.

And that's where the University of Windsor researcher makes his entrance. A project of that magnitude, he says, cannot help but have huge and unknown consequences for the marine environment. Drouillard and an international team of scientists have been hired to assess the possible threats and suggest solutions.

"The first time I went, in 2004, there were construction cranes everywhere you looked," he said. "Each year new skyscrapers go up. The pace of construction is so unprecedented it would give OnStar a nightmare. . . . Our team is part of an effort to mitigate the environmental effects."

Under the auspices of the United Nations University and the leadership of former University of Windsor professor Peter Sale, the team includes five full-time and four visiting members with a budget of $4 million. They work closely with local authorities to encourage best environmental practices as the project proceeds.

Drouillard has travelled to the area seven times since 2003.

"I think when we first came there was a need to educate them," said Drouillard, "to ensure engineering meets specifications and the environment is kept healthy.

"I was impressed they requested our help. It showed a willingness to do it right."

Drouillard said the islands were formed using sediment dredged offshore in the Arabian Gulf, hauled to the site and sculpted into the desired shapes.

One of the first problems was caused by sediment dumping, which caused such turbidity the cloudy water could barely allow sunlight to penetrate, threatening the area's natural coral in warm waters only 10 to 12 metres deep.

"The coral is compromised by the light limitation," he said. "The question, is how long will the turbidity last? We see evidence that it's settling out relatively quickly."

He said the islands, and their surrounding breakwalls, may dramatically alter flow patterns along the coast and cause erosion on the beaches and mainland waterfront. The water in the inlets between the palm fronds might become stagnant and high in salinity, leading to deteriorating water quality.

The carbon-rich and oxygen-depleted sediment could cause leaching of organic carbons resulting in bacterial growth and the production of toxic hydrogen sulphide harmful to humans. Landscaping byproducts and sewage escaping into the water would make matters worse.

"You absolutely don't want that to happen to the palms."

The researchers are looking to create an environmental management plan involving engineering solutions to ensure healthy water flow and minimize environmental impacts that could alter the habitat for natural sea life and fish stocks.

Drouillard said the team recommended cutting slits into the breakwalls to ensure more efficient flow to avoid those problems and continues to monitor the effects development may have on species in the natural habitat.

"At this point we're pleasantly surprised by the water quality," he said. "Salinity is good, dissolved oxygen, good. The nutrients are in the same concentration inside and outside the palms.

"The caveat is occupancy is not yet at 100 per cent. They expect 1.3 million people. . . . If the palms produce a toxic environment it could attract fish to their demise. However, if healthy, it could produce fish."