title: Environmental assessment of coastal surface sediments at Tarut Island, Arabian Gulf (Saudi Arabia).
abstract: Thirty eight surface sediments samples have been collected in the area around Tarut Island, Saudi Arabian Gulf to determine the spatial distribution of metals, and to assess the magnitude of pollution. Total concentrations of Fe, Mn, As, B, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Pb, Se, and Zn in the sediments were measured using ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer). Nature of sediments and heavy metals distribution reflect marked changes in lithology, biological activities in Tarut bay. Very high arsenic concentrations were reported in all studied locations from Tarut Island. The concentrations of Mercury are generally high comparing to the reported values from the Gulf of Oman, Red Sea. The concentrations of As and Hg exceeded the wet threshold safety values (MEC, PEC) indicating possible As and Hg contamination. Dredging and land filling, sewage, and oil pollution are the most important sources of pollution in the study area.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology and Geophysics, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia; Department of Geology, South Valley University, 83523 Qena, Egypt. Electronic address: mymohamed@ksu.edu.sa.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Youssef
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology and Geophysics, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia; Department of Geology, Zagazig University, 44519 Zagazig, Egypt.
authors.forename: Abdelbaset
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: El-Sorogy
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology and Geophysics, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Al Kahtany
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology and Geophysics, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Naif
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Al Otiaby
mesh_terms: D001151:Arsenic / Q000032:analysis; D001895:Boron / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D019156:Indian Ocean; D062312:Islands; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012722:Sewage; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D012722:Sewage; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001151:Arsenic; D001895:Boron
keywords: Arabian Gulf; Environmental assessment; Heavy metals; Saudi Arabia; Tarut