Manama, The Centre for Environmental and Biological Studies at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) will host a seminar on October 15, entitled “Ecosystem – Based Treatment Technologies for Wastewater in GCC Countries” as part of the activities of the Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Chair for Environmental Sciences. The event will feature experts from the GCC states, alongside representatives from various Arab and international countries.
Professor Dimitri Heintz from the University of Strasbourg will deliver the keynote address on sustainable wastewater treatment with constructed wetlands. The seminar will explore the potential of constructed wetlands as an eco – friendly and cost – effective solution, along with other methods for wastewater management in GCC countries. It aims to encourage collaboration among universities, industry experts, and policymakers to support the development of this technology and achieve sustainable development goals.
Professor Waleed Zubari, Dean of the College of Education, Adm
inistrative and Technical Sciences, and Professor of Water Resource Management, discussed the serious water challenges faced by GCC countries. He highlighted that these nations are experiencing a severe shortage of natural water resources, which is likely to worsen due to population growth and climate change. At the same time, large amounts of wastewater are produced from various sources, creating environmental risks that require expensive treatment before disposal.
Professor Zubari said “If wastewater is treated and managed effectively, it can represent a valuable opportunity for the circular economy and alleviate pressures on existing water resources. As a result, many countries have begun to adopt the reuse of wastewater from agricultural, industrial, and municipal sources as a method to expand their water resource base. This approach requires the implementation of effective treatment technologies to eliminate hazardous pollutants. Moreover, alongside the rising levels of treated sewage resulting from inc
reasing domestic water consumption in GCC countries, substantial quantities of produced water associated with oil extraction are also on the rise, particularly as oil fields age. This produced water comprises a complex mixture of pollutants and can have detrimental effects on the environment if discharged untreated, leading to considerable costs.”
Dr. Wael Almeslmany, a Professor of Environmental Biotechnology, explained that constructed wetlands are a green and cost – effective alternative to traditional treatment methods. This technology uses plants and microbes in their root systems to effectively remove harmful pollutants from wastewater through bioremediation. These systems can also be designed to reduce or eliminate carbon emissions, helping to address climate change.
Furthermore, a research team at the Centre for Environmental and Biological Studies is actively investigating ecosystem – based technologies for wastewater treatment. The team comprises Prof. Waleed Zubari, Dr Wael Almeslmany, Dr Abdulha
di Abdullah, Associate Professor of Soil, Water and Plants, Dr Sumaya Youssef, Assistant Professor of Environmental Engineering.
Source: Bahrain News Agency