Abstract
The study reports levels of parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in three native fish species—mullet, sea bream and tonguesole—captured from Kuwait Bay (KB) area and outside the Bay from the Auha area between October 2004 and June 2005. KB has witnessed rapid urban and industrial development since the discovery of oil and is considered to be the most productive area in the region. Whole fish analysis revealed that the lower molecular weight PAHs (pyrene, fluoranthene and phenanthrene) were present in all the three varieties of fish in considerably higher amounts. Other low molecular weight PAHs like acenaphthylene, acenaphthene and anthracene were also present but in lower concentrations. Among the higher molecular weight PAHs, the frequency of detection of benzo(a)anthracene and chrysene was high and were present in high concentrations, whereas Benzo(k)fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene were not frequent in detection. The contamination of Σ PAHs was higher in the winter season in mullet and sea bream but in tonguesole a reverse pattern was found. Tonguesole from KB had the highest Σ PAHs suggesting that this bottom dwelling species can be used as an indicator of sediment pollution in the area. The observed seasonality in ∑ PAHs concentration in fish coupled with species difference may be related to difference in metabolic disposition of pollutants and their habitats.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call