PETROLEUM-HYDROCARBONS IN THE NEARSHORE MARINE-SEDIMENTS OF THE UNITED-ARAB-EMIRATES

The concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) were determin ed in nearshore sediment samples collected from 28 sampling sites alon g the United Arab Emirates shorelines on the Arabian Gulf the Gulf of Oman and seven major creeks (khors) extending from them. Concentration s were highly variable and ranged between <0.4 and 212 mug g-1 dry wei ght, and the highest values obtained were in the top sediment (1 cm) l ayer near a fuel filling station and port areas. Locally high levels o f TPH were found in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman semi-enclosed creeks wher e boat activities and land-based wastewater discharges are most common . Data support the premise that port activities, fuel filling stations and land-based wastewater discharges are major sources of pollution i n the study area. Correlations with sediment grain size, total organic carbon (TOC) and distance from pollution sources are discussed.