Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Science

First Advisor

Dr. Esam Abd EI-Gawad

Second Advisor

Fadhil N. Sadooni

Third Advisor

Prof. Philip Bennett

Abstract

The investigated area covers the maximum fragments of Dubai offshore in the Arabian Gulf. The sediment samples were collected from fifteen stations starting by Al-Mamzar mouth and ending by Ras Ghantoot in order to assess the organic and inorganic pollutants affecting the coastal region in Dubai.

The textural class was determined through grain-size analysis and the mineral composition was identified by X-Ray diffraction. The organic pollutants were characterized through the determination of Total Organic Carbon (TOC), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN), Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and individual polychlorinated biphenyls. On the other hand the inorganic pollutants were carried out by determination of some major oxides and trace elements concentrations, including heavy metals.

The present study indicates that most of the investigated area is covered by unpolluted sediments except for the northeastern part of the investigated area, which reflects a heavy polluted case. High levels of TOC, TKN, TPH, PAHs and PCBs, in addition to Cu, Pb and Zn were reported at station 6 (Al Hamriya St 3). Al-Hamriya St 3 represents the most contaminated station. But the highest values of TKN, Fe, Mg, Cr, Ni and V were reported at stations located in the southwestern part (Dewa and Dubai).

High positive correlation between TPH and TOC suggests that TOC could be used as an indicator of oil pollution in heavily oiled sediments. The frequency distribution of pollutants in the study area and the high relative S.D suggest an anthropogenic source. The association of copper, lead and zinc, with TPH and TOC in absence of V and Ni suggests that these pollutants are not related to crude oil and can be attributed to the presence of other contaminants. The negative correlation between Na and each of TPH, TOC, TKN, CU, Pb and Zn may give evidence of freshwater input

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