METAL CONTAMINATION OF SEDIMENTS IN THE TARUT BAY OF THE ARABIAN GULF

Surface sediment (upper 5 cm) samples were collected from 30 locations in the Tarut Bay area. Concentrations of barium, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead, phosphorus, titanium, vanadium, and zinc were determined in the collected samples. The statistical analyses of the data depicted significant (P <0.01) variations in the sediment samples from different locations. Inter-elemental correlation matrix indicated two very strong associations, i.e., Cu-Pb-Zn and Cr-Mn-Ni. Contour maps of each metal distribution in the sediment were drawn. These maps suggest that, in general, the coastal sediments (along the Tarut Bay coast) contain high concentrations of chromium, copper, lead, nickel, vanadium, titanium, and zinc. The sediments in the vicinity of outfalls, particularly Rahima Oil Refinery, were found to be more contaminated. These data suggest that anthropogenic activities are contaminating the sediment in the Bay area.