Management of land-based sources of marine pollution

The coastal waters of Kuwait Bay have been extensively used for the disposal of domestic wastewater, increasing the level of pollution. Recent studies indicated that the amount of waste discharged into Kuwait Bay is expected to grow further, from raw sewage, illegal disposal of partially treated sewage, and industrial waste. These sources play significant roles in heavy metal, hydrocarbon, and fecal coliform bacteria inputs to Kuwait's coastal waters, which impact the marine environment and lower water quality. This article introduces information relating to pollution levels in Kuwait's marine environment from land-based sources, and compares the level of pollutants in marine waters with water quality standards. This study also recommends an environmental waste management procedure to control waste discharges to the marine environment with a view to future aspects of sustainable development.