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Climate–Pollution Synergies in Hyper-Arid Marine Ecosystems: Mechanisms, Sustainability Impacts, and Future Directions
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2026
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Abstract
Hyper-arid marine ecosystems, characterized by extreme environmental conditions, are experiencing intensified stress from the synergistic effects of climate change and pollution. This review synthesizes current knowledge on these interactions in Qatar’s coastal waters, serving as a model system for the Arabian Gulf. We document significant accumulations of heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, microplastics, and emerging contaminants near urban and industrial zones. The region’s rapid warming, hypersalinity, and restricted circulation amplify pollutant toxicity through mechanisms such as increased bioavailability, oxidative stress, and impaired physiological responses. These synergies elevate mortality in sensitive species by 50–100% compared to single stressors, push organisms beyond their physiological limits, and trigger biodiversity loss. As an example, given a baseline of around USD 148 million, a 30% decrease in exploitable fish biomass might result in an annual loss of approximately USD 45 million in the value of Qatar’s fisheries and aquaculture industry. Despite growing evidence, critical gaps persist in understanding mixture toxicity under Gulf-specific extremes, endocrine and neurobehavioral endpoints, and quantitative ecosystem service valuations. We conclude by highlighting emerging solutions, including IoT-based monitoring, AI-driven forecasting, and nature-based remediation, as pathways to enhance resilience under accelerating environmental change. These findings have important implications for marine ecosystem sustainability, food security, and sustainable coastal management in Qatar and other hyper-arid regions. This synthesis establishes Qatar’s coastal ecosystem as a global model for understanding climate–pollution feedback in hyper-arid seas. © 2026 by the authors.