SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF AROMATIC PETROLEUM-HYDROCARBONSIN THE COASTAL WATERS OF BAHRAIN

A comprehensive field study of the levels of aromatic petroleum hydroc arbons in water was conducted throughout the coastal areas of Bahrain in the Arabian Gulf. Fifty monitoring stations were established, and e ach station was visited twice during the investigation. Monitoring sta tions included industrial, ports, marinas and mooring stations, public beaches and residential stations, domestic outfall stations, and remo te 'background' stations. The results of the survey revealed marked te mporal and spatial variations in petroleum hydrocarbons concentrations in the sea water analyzed. The highest overall mean value was 88.5 mu g/L measured in industrial areas and the lowest was 16.1 mug/L chrysen e equivalent at remote stations. Generally, levels of petroleum hydroc arbons were high in all stations compared to other coastal areas in th e Gulf, indicating a chronic oil pollution problem. The results reveal ed significant temporal variations, however, no specific patterns coul d be identified. The total land-based oil inputs to the coastal waters is estimated to be 31 metric tonnes/year measured as aromatic petrole um hydrocarbons.