DETERMINATION OF PETROLEUM-HYDROCARBONS IN SEDIMENT, FISH AND AIR FOLLOWING THE GULF CRISIS IN 1991

The concentration of petroleum hydrocarbon in air, sediment and some commercially important fish species, Hamoor (Epinephelus Tauvina), Sharee (Lethrinus nebulosus), Fasker (Acanthopagrus bifasciatus) and shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus) were analysed by capillary gas chromatography and fluorescence spectrophotometry. Hydrocarbon content in one species of shark was also analysed. Elevated levels of petroleum hydrocarbon were not found in any of the sediment, fish or air particulate samples. The results revealed that most of the fish caught in Bahrain's waters were free from contamination. Hydrocarbon content in sediment was mainly of biogenic origin, while the air was not heavily impacted by unburned petroleum hydrocarbons (n-alkane and PAH) and was not substantial compared to other world areas.