Metal pollution in Al-Khobar seawater, Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia.
In order to assess heavy metals pollution along the Al-Khobar coastline, 30 seawater samples and 15 sediment ones were collected for Al, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Mo, Cd, Hg and Pb analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). The analysis indicated a southward decreasing pattern in most heavy metal concentrations and the average values of Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, As and Cr were higher than the ones reported from some worldwide seas and gulfs. Most of the highest levels were recorded within the bays and were related with in situ under sediments especially that composed of clays and very fine sands, and in localities characterized with anthropogenic activities like landfilling, desalination plants, fishing boats, oil spills and solid rubbish. The results of the present study provide useful background for further marine investigation and management in the Arabian Gulf region.
Geology and Geophysics Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia; PSIPW Chair, Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water and Desert Research, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Talal
T
Alharbi
Geology and Geophysics Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
Hussain
H
Alfaifi
Geology and Geophysics Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia; Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Egypt. Electronic address: elsorogyabd@yahoo.com.
Abdelbaset
A
El-Sorogy
D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012623:Seawater; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
Al-Khobar; Arabian Gulf; Metal pollution; Saudi Arabia; Surface seawater