Marine Pollution in Kuwait

Rapid development of a single natural resource and resulting industrialization and urbanization have put a severe stress on the fragile nearshore environment off Kuwait. Major pollution hazards are oil spills, industrial wastes, thermal pollution, fecal coliform, and solid waste. Good progress is reported in abatement of ammonia and hydrogen sulphide, chief pollutants in the shuaiba Industrial Area. In Shuaikh, mercury pollution from chlorine plants associated with large desalination plants appear localized. Thermal pollution constitutes recirculation problems and fecal coliform and solid waste are serious along the Kuwait City Waterfront. Although very active in international programs, improvements are required in local cooperation so as to establish an effective environmental protection program to counteract the strong industrial development interests.