Beg MU, Al-Muzaini S, Saeed T, Jacob PG, Beg KR, Al-Bahloul M, Al-Matrouk K, Al-Obaid T, Kurian A. Chemical contamination and toxicity of sediment from a coastal area receiving industrial effluents in Kuwait.
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol 2001;
41:289-297. [PMID:
11503065 DOI:
10.1007/s002440010251]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2000] [Accepted: 05/11/2001] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
The Shuaiba coastal area (12.5 x 1.5 km) was examined for contamination with total organic carbon, volatile organic matter, total petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, nickel, vanadium, and zinc in sediment; their desorption by aqueous elution; and toxicity to aquatic biota. The pollutants were mainly accumulated in the upstream area facing Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery to Shuaiba harbour. Solid-phase Microtox assays showed severe toxicity, and the LC(50) was negatively correlated with most of the chemical parameters, suggesting that toxicity was the function of collective effects of the pollutants present in sediment. Sea water elutriation showed poor desorption of pollutants from sediment, and the elutriates were not found toxic to Microtox and brine shrimp larvae. Whole sediment suspension in sea water reduced the survival of fingerlings in fish bioassays. Action from Shuaiba Area Authority is required to reduce pollutant accumulation in identified depositional area on the Shuaiba coast by facilitating unrestricted water flow in the area and restricting pollutant discharge at source.
Collapse