Application of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index to assess and communicate monitoring data from coastal waters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to (1) identify an existing water quality index methodology that could be used in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and (2) apply the water quality index to Abu Dhabi’s waters to communicate water quality conditions and track changes in conditions over time. The available monitoring data were reviewed to establish the types and frequencies of data available to populate an index, and a literature search was performed to identify and review existing water quality ind in use around the world. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index was selected and customized for use in Abu Dhabi. Using the Canadian Council of Ministers Water Quality Index, two different data aggregation methods were investigated for developing a single Emirate-wide Water Quality Index score. Finally, an alternative method for calculating indices when there are fewer than four parameters was investigated. Three Water Quality Indexs were developed for use in Abu Dhabi: Eutrophication Index, Microbial Index, and Heavy Metals (in sediment) Index. The Canadian Council of Ministers Water Quality Index methodology was found to be relatively easy to use and flexible as a building block for tailored indices, which are used to communicate marine water quality conditions to various stakeholders, including scientists, managers, policymakers, and the public.