|
Identification and Assessment of Pollution Threats to Sensitive Coastal Areas East of the Strait of Hormuz (Study Area: Sirik County)
|
Esmaeil Zakeri Minabi   , Morteza Zarei * , Abbas Derakhshan |
| Minab Higher Education Complex, University of Hormozgan, Bandar Abbas, Iran , Mzarai@hormozgan.ac.ir |
|
|
Abstract: (321 Views) |
The increasing marginalization in coastal cities, coupled with excessive population density and the resulting rise in socio-economic activities, has led to significant environmental challenges in sensitive coastal areas. This situation necessitates the identification and assessment of threat factors, considering both their contribution and location within these vulnerable ecosystems. This study aims to identify and evaluate the pollution threats to the coastal environment along the eastern coast of the Strait of Hormuz, specifically in Sirik County.
The research employs a field-based approach, including surveys and interviews with experts, while also utilizing a documentary method for its theoretical framework. Data collected indicate that five primary factors contribute to pollution threats in the study area: tourism, shrimp farming, marine transportation of fuel, wastewater and household waste, and river discharges. Following the identification of these critical pollution threat factors, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tool used in management and planning, was applied to analyze and prioritize these factors. Subsequently, Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities were leveraged to create a final map depicting the pollution threat levels across the studied area.
The findings reveal that a substantial portion of the coastal area in Sirik County is under threat from pollution. Specifically, out of a total study area of 514 square kilometers, 342 square kilometers -equivalent to 66.5 percent- are classified as facing medium to very high pollution threat levels. Additionally, the generated map indicates that the pollution threat is particularly severe along the northern coasts, with intensity diminishing toward the central and southern areas.
|
|
| Keywords: Pollution threat, coastal areas, Geographic Information System, shrimp farming, multi-criteria decision making. |
|
|
Full-Text [PDF 1288 kb]
(233 Downloads)
|
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Marine Medicine
Received: 2022/08/29 | Accepted: 2024/12/4 | Published: 2024/11/30
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Send email to the article author |
|
|
|
| Add your comments about this article |
|
|
|
