ASSESSMENT OF TAR POLLUTION ON THE UNITED-ARAB-EMIRATES BEACHES

In light of the inadequate information concerning stranded tar on the southwest beaches of the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, particular ly following the massive oil releases during the Gulf War, the present investigation was designed to provide reference-integrated informatio n on the nature, location, and levels of stranded tar balls on the bea ches of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The recorded levels appeared t o be higher than expected or previously reported. The tar distribution pattern, in addition to the degree of weathering, indicates that the massive oil release during the Gulf War did not reach the UAE shorelin es. The highest reported levels of stranded tar ever recorded in the A rabian Gulf at Jabal Dhannah apparently originated from oil spills and tankers' ballast water at the main oil terminal at the Al-Ruwaiss oil refinery some 10 km to the east. The surprising, relatively high leve ls of stranded tar on the beaches of the Gulf of Oman were solely attr ibuted to the heavy navigation traffic close to the shorelines.