THE DISTRIBUTION OF V, NI, CR, CD, AND PB IN TOPSOILS OF THE SHUAIBA INDUSTRIAL-AREA OF KUWAIT

Soil samples were collected from selected locations in the Shuaiba Ind ustrial Area of Kuwait from August 1993 to June 1994. The samples were analyzed for trace metal levels to determine the effect of the large oil spill in this area during the Gulf War of 1991. Sample solutions w ere prepared and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. T he results showed that the surface soil samples from 0 to 10 cm contai n as much as 10.96-112.80 mg/kg of V, 2.49-131.60 mg/kg of Ni, 26.80-1 38.12 mg/kg of Cr, 0-0.06 mg/kg of Cd, and 0.99-41.29 mg/kg of Pb. The levels reported had an abundance order of Cr > Ni > V > Pb > Cd in th e soil samples. This is the first study providing information on a num ber of toxic metal distributions in the soil of Kuwait. It is recommen ded that appropriate measures be put in place by concerned industries to treat waste materials before discharging them into the immediate en vironment and to fund monitoring activities of research organizations in Kuwait. (C) 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.