Abstract
This study aims to investigate the fate and behavior of five trace metals (Fe, Ni, Pb, Cu and V) in the surface sediments of two selected marinas, namely Ras Al-Ardh and Yacht Club, along the coastal area of Kuwait. Leached and total concentrations of Fe, Ni, Pb, Cu and V were measured along with the total organic carbon (TOC) and sediment grain size. The bioavailability of the trace metals was also determined using simple extraction techniques. The contamination factor (CF), enrichment factor (EF) and pollution load index (PLI) were used for assessing sediment quality at the marinas. The results indicated that TOC was related to the mean grain size, where higher TOC concentrations were associated with finer grain fractions. Trace metal distribution patterns were similar to the TOC in the sediments. The value of PLI showed that the Ras Al-Ardh marina had higher metal enrichment than that of the Yacht Club marina. The results of CF and EF indicated that the sediments within both marinas are "slightly polluted" to "moderately polluted". The sediments were less contaminated with Cu relative to Pb and Ni. The PLI class of metals at the Yacht Club indicated that the marina can be classified as "non-polluted" to "moderately polluted", while the Ras Al-Ardh marina can be classified as "moderately polluted" to "polluted". The study revealed that sediment grain size, TOC, and trace metal concentrations varied spatially within each marina depending on the type of development and the probable source of metals. Sediment quality has changed tremendously due to the expansion of tourism, progress in industrial activities and increase in recreational requirements near the coastal areas.
Highlights
A marina, which is a touristic port for entertaining vessels, is the terrestrial and marine space that serves as an entertaining vessel for long-term anchoring, transient terrestrial deposit or service of passing vessels
The present study aims at investigating the fate and behavior of trace metals, namely Pb, Cu, Ni, V and Cd in the surface sediments of the two selected marinas along the coastal area of Kuwait (Figure 1)
The pH values were slightly higher at the Yacht Club marina when compared to Raz Al-Ardh, while the minimum pH value was almost similar at both locations
Summary
A marina, which is a touristic port for entertaining vessels, is the terrestrial and marine space that serves as an entertaining vessel for long-term anchoring, transient terrestrial deposit or service of passing vessels. Marinas are areas of special concern because of the potential for pollutant accumulation within their protected waters. Kuwait's coastal area plays a very important role in the development of the country because most of the urban, commercial, industrial and recreational activities are concentrated along the shoreline [1]. The whole southern coastal area of Kuwait is almost completely urbanized by ports and marinas [2]. Some of these marinas are comprised mainly of one entrance (inlet/ outlet). Improper design and maintenance of these marinas resulted in high pollution level in the ecosystem. In the 1960s and 1970s, there was an increase in boating activities in Kuwait and many marinas were developed.
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