Saudi Arabia: Reducing Pollution For A Brighter Future

Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Middle East, is facing significant environmental challenges due to its rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth. The country's economy relies heavily on oil production, which has led to various environmental issues, including air, water, and soil pollution. The intense use of fossil fuels, lack of environmental policies, and high standards of living contribute to the pollution problem. As a result, Saudi Arabia is exploring ways to reduce pollution and improve its environmental performance.

Reducing air pollution from vehicles

Saudi Arabia is the world's largest producer of crude oil, and its economy is heavily reliant on the sale of oil. Oil production, alongside urban activities, are the main contributors to air pollution in the country.

Vehicular emissions contribute to up to 50% of hydrocarbon emissions in Saudi Arabia. The country has a young population, with 50% of its citizens under the age of 25, and a high standard of living. This has led to a large vehicle demand, with private car ownership at 336 cars per 1000 individuals in 2012. The low cost of gasoline in the country, at US$0.16 per litre in August 2012, also encourages road transport.

The lack of public transport in many cities further incentivises the use of private vehicles. The city of Jeddah, for example, faces problems caused by a large number of vehicles on the road, leading to high carbon emissions.

To reduce air pollution from vehicles, Saudi Arabia has implemented the following measures:

• The Ambient Air Standard: This policy, put in place in 2012, aims to reduce the number of harmful pollutants in the air. It provides a basis for maintaining and restoring ambient air quality in the country.
• Periodic vehicle inspections: The General Department of Traffic has set up periodic vehicle inspection stations to monitor and improve mileage emissions.
• Road infrastructure improvements: The General Agency of Roads has planned to pave new roads, fix existing ones, and construct tunnels and bridges to improve traffic flow.
• Expansion of public transport: The city of Riyadh has invested in expanding its public service network, with the Riyadh Metro project set to become operational in 2020/21. The city also plans to introduce environmentally-friendly buses in the city centre.
• Optimising sustainable energy sources: Cities like Riyadh need to optimise their use of sustainable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower to meet their energy needs.
• Electric vehicles: Encouraging the use of electric vehicles can help reduce air pollution.
• Catalytic converters and fuel-saving technology: Retrofitting vehicles with catalytic converters and fuel-saving technology can decrease air pollution and reduce the exploitation of non-renewable fuels.

These measures have shown positive results in reducing air pollution from vehicles in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the city of Dammam.

Reducing air pollution from industry

Saudi Arabia is the world's largest producer of crude oil, and its economy is heavily dependent on oil sales. Oil production, however, is a major source of air pollution in the country, as it leads to the emission of various greenhouse gases. Oil extraction and industrial activities also contribute to air pollution by releasing high levels of carbon dioxide.

To combat this, Saudi Arabia has implemented several measures to reduce air pollution from industry:

• The Ambient Air Standard: In 2012, Saudi Arabia introduced the Ambient Air Standard to reduce harmful ambient air pollutants. This standard restricts emissions from companies, aiming to improve air quality nationwide.
• Cleaning Up Dammam City: Recognizing the severe air pollution in the city of Dammam, authorities in the Eastern Province implemented plans to reduce urban pollution. These included vehicle inspections to improve mileage emissions, and road improvements to enhance traffic flow. As a result, there was a significant decline in various air pollutants, including carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds.
• Eco-city Project: Saudi Arabia is working on the long-term Eco-city project, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. This project involves the use of smart IT technologies for sewage systems and highways. By transitioning to solar power, the Eco-city project is expected to reduce air pollution and benefit the economy by preserving oil for export.
• Renewable Energy Initiatives: Saudi Arabia is exploring renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, to reduce its dependence on oil and lower carbon emissions. The country aims to increase its renewable energy supply by 30% and has already made progress with wind farm projects.
• Policy and Program Development: Saudi Arabia is developing policies and programs to ensure environmental sustainability. The country has signed numerous environmental agreements and implemented its first environmental law in 1992, demonstrating a growing commitment to sustainability.

Reducing water pollution from desalination plants

As the largest oil exporter in OPEC, Saudi Arabia has a history of prioritizing oil extraction over environmental policy. However, as the country faces increasing environmental issues, it is now exploring ways to reduce pollution.

One significant source of water pollution in Saudi Arabia is the country's desalination plants. These plants are necessary to create potable water from seawater, but they also produce a highly-saline waste called brine, which contains chemical residuals and is discharged into the ocean. This toxic brine can deplete oxygen levels and harm marine life, damaging the biodiversity of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea.

• Eco-cities: The development of eco-cities is a long-term project that can help reduce water pollution. These cities utilize smart sewage and water recycling systems, reducing the need for water from desalination plants. By recycling water, eco-cities can minimize the amount of heated seawater discharged into the ocean, which contains high concentrations of salt and metals.
• Solar Power: Saudi Arabia can take advantage of its abundant sunshine by using solar power as an energy source for desalination plants. This would reduce the use of diesel, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
• Brine Management: Brine, the waste product of desalination, is a major contributor to water pollution. Improved brine management and disposal techniques are necessary to mitigate its negative environmental impact. This includes treating brine before discharge to remove toxic chemicals and finding alternative uses for brine, such as commercial salt production, metal recovery, or fish production systems.
• Emerging Technologies: New and emerging technologies, such as forward osmosis, membrane distillation, and capacitive deionization, offer advantages over conventional reverse osmosis methods. These technologies have higher salt rejection and water recovery rates and can utilize low-grade energy sources.
• Renewable Energy-Powered Desalination: Integrating renewable energy sources like geothermal, ocean, wind, and solar power with desalination processes can reduce the environmental impact of carbon emissions. This approach also minimizes system costs and energy requirements, making it a more sustainable and affordable option.

By implementing these strategies, Saudi Arabia can work towards reducing water pollution from desalination plants and improving its environmental sustainability.

Reducing soil pollution from heavy metals

Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Middle East, has a weak history of environmentalism and faces a range of environmental issues due to its rapid population growth, industrial activity, and urbanization. The country's economy is largely dependent on its production and sale of oil, which has resulted in air, water, and ground pollution.

One significant issue is the presence of heavy metals in the soil, which can be harmful to both humans and plants. Heavy metals can enter the soil through various human activities, such as mining, farming, and manufacturing. These metals can be absorbed by plant tissues, accumulate in the food chain, and pose risks to human health.

To reduce soil pollution from heavy metals in Saudi Arabia, the following measures can be implemented:

Phytoremediation

Phytoremediation is an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach that uses plants to remove or degrade heavy metals from the soil. It involves selecting plant species that can tolerate and accumulate heavy metals, such as hyperaccumulator plants. Phytoremediation techniques include phytoextraction, phytovolatilization, phytostabilization, and phytofiltration. This method can be enhanced by genetic engineering, soil amendments, and the use of specific plant species suited to the type of heavy metal pollution.

Soil Washing

Soil washing involves mechanical agitation of the soil using water or aqueous solutions containing chelating agents and/or surfactants. The washing process generates a wastewater stream that contains the dissolved contaminants, which can then be treated using chemical or biological methods before being discharged.

Electrokinetic Remediation

Electrokinetic remediation uses an electric field gradient to remove heavy metals from the soil. Electrodes are placed in the soil, and a direct current is passed through, driving the movement of heavy metals towards the electrodes for removal. This method is effective for various soil types and does not require the removal of contaminated soil, preserving the site's integrity.

Thermal Desorption

Thermal desorption is a process that heats contaminated soil to release heavy metals. This method can be done at high or low temperatures, depending on the level of contamination. While it is simple, the equipment is expensive, and the process is time-consuming.

Soil Substitution and Soil Spading

Soil substitution involves removing contaminated soil and replacing it with pure soil, suitable for small, localized areas. Soil spading, on the other hand, is used for large areas of contamination. It involves mixing the polluted soil with pure soil to reduce contaminant concentrations and promote microbial activity for natural breakdown.

By implementing these strategies, Saudi Arabia can effectively reduce soil pollution from heavy metals, protect its environment, and safeguard the health of its citizens.

Reducing water pollution from agricultural runoff

Saudi Arabia, the largest country in the Middle East, faces significant environmental issues due to its rapid urbanization, industrialization, and agricultural activities. The country's economic reliance on oil production and export has contributed to air, water, and ground pollution. As a result, Saudi Arabia needs to implement effective strategies to reduce pollution and protect its environment.

One critical area of concern is reducing water pollution from agricultural runoff. Here are several methods that can be employed to achieve this:

Reducing Pesticide Use

Farmers can minimize the use of pesticides by adopting integrated pest management practices. This involves planting various crop species, particularly those resistant to native pests. Companion planting, such as interspersing marigolds between crops, can also deter pests naturally. Additionally, encouraging natural predators like ladybugs and nematodes can help control harmful species.

Managing Irrigation Systems

Proper maintenance and routine inspections of irrigation systems are crucial. Farmers should promptly replace any broken heads or tubing and adjust their usage to prevent overages that can cause pesticide and fertilizer runoff into nearby water bodies.

Conservation Tilling

Conservation tilling techniques, including no-till, in-row subsoiling, strip-tilling, and ridge tilling, help minimize soil loss and runoff. These methods ensure that at least 30% of the surface is covered with plants, reducing agricultural runoff and preserving soil quality.

Contour Farming and Terraces

Contour farming involves planting along the natural contours of the land, using hills and curves to prevent water loss. Plants with the highest water demands are placed in the lowest-lying areas for efficient water use. Terracing involves constructing human-made structures to direct water flow and prevent soil erosion.

Water and Sediment-Control Basins

By building berms at the end of slopes, farmers can create water and sediment-control basins. These structures prevent water and soil from escaping and direct water through underground outlet systems, reducing runoff and conserving water.

Streambank and Shoreline Protection

Physical structures, such as buffer zones consisting of native trees and shrubs, can protect streambanks and shorelines from erosion caused by agricultural runoff. Additionally, ranchers can construct chutes to direct livestock to specific areas along waterways, minimizing waste in the water and soil disruption near the shore.

By implementing these strategies, Saudi Arabia can effectively reduce water pollution from agricultural runoff, contributing to the country's overall environmental sustainability and the well-being of its citizens.

Frequently asked questions