Spatial assessment of the sewage contamination of Kuwait's marine areas. Issue 1 (15th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saeed, Talat; Al-Shimmari, Fatima; Al-Mutairi, Ahmad; Abdullah, Hameeda
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 94:Issue 1/2(2015:May)
• Page Start: 307
• Page End: 317
• Publication Date: 2015-05-15
• Subjects: Surface sediments -- Fecal sterols -- GC/MS analysis -- Sewage contamination -- Assessment; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.01.030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Highlights: Detailed assessment of sewage contamination of Kuwait's coastal areas carried out. Fecal sterols measured in 120 sediment samples from intertidal and offshore locations. Western part of the Kuwait Bay was found to be highly contaminated. Contamination had spread to some offshore locations. Abstract: Discharge of sewage to the coastal areas resulting in the deteriorating quality of seawater and polluted sediments has been one of important stressor in Kuwait. The objective of this study was to conduct spatial assessment of sewage contamination of coastal areas. The assessment was carried out by measuring fecal sterols as indicator of sewage contamination, in the marine sediments collected from 112 locations throughout the Kuwait's marine areas. The samples were extracted and sterols separated. Derivatized sterols were analyzed by GC/MS in selected ion monitoring mode. The results showed that areas in the vicinity of the sewage outfalls were heavily contaminated. The western part of Kuwait Bay was worst in terms of contamination level. Two off-shore sites in Kuwait Bay were also classified as contaminated. Coprostanol levels in Kuwait Bay ranged from 0 to 39, 428 ng/g. Southern coastal areas were less severely contaminated.