Integrated assessment of the Tarut Island coast, Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

In order to assess pollutants on the Tarut Island coast, Saudi Arabian Gulf, 38 coastal sediment samples, 40 mollusk specimens, and 26 seawater samples were collected for Fe, Cu, Pb, Mn, Cd, Se, As, Co, B, Cr, Hg, Mo and Zn analysis using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometer. The analysis indicated that the coastal sediments were enriched, polluted and contaminated with As, Pb, Cd and Hg. Gastropods were good accumulators for Fe, Cu, Zn, Pb, Mn, Cd and Co while bivalves were good accumulators for Se, Cr and Hg. The spatial distribution of heavy metals in seawater samples indicated no obvious trend along the studied coast. Land reclamation, dust storms, petrochemical industries, oil leakage, desalination plants and sewage effluents were the significant sources of heavy metal pollutants along Tarut coast. The comparison between heavy metals in the Tarut Island coast and other worldwide coasts was emphasized.