A spatiotemporal study was conducted to compare two short sediment cores from subtidal zones on the Saudi Arabia coast of the western Arabian Gulf. A comparison was made between an established pristine area (Uqair Beach) and a relatively polluted area (Eco-Park). A multiproxy approach was applied on 210Pb dated core samples with the help of foraminiferal faunal analysis and heavy metals analysed from both sites. The results show that the Uqair area has been in the high category of ecological quality status (EcoQS) since the late 1950’s due to the relocation of the former seaport to Dammam. However, the Eco-Park has been in moderate EcoQS since the 1830’s, but the trends show improving conditions in recent years.