Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8872321 | Marine Pollution Bulletin | 2017 | 14 Pages |
Abstract
Despite the growing recognition of the importance of water and sediment quality there is still limited information on contamination levels in many regions globally including the Red Sea. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of three classes of contaminants (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons - PAH; metals; plastics) in coastal sediments along the Saudi Arabian Red Sea mainly collected using grabs. Background concentrations are provided for metals in the region. Concentrations of metals and PAH were generally low in comparison to international guidelines. A clear relationship between the concentration of metals and anthropogenic sources was not always apparent and dust and vegetation may be relevant players in the region. Microplastic items (mainly polyethylene) were abundant (reaching up to 1 g mâ 2 and 160 pieces mâ 2) and in general associated with areas of high human activity. This study provides critical information for future monitoring and the development of national policies within the Red Sea region.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Earth and Planetary Sciences
Oceanography
Authors
Pedro Ruiz-Compean, Joanne Ellis, João Cúrdia, Richard Payumo, Ute Langner, Burton Jones, Susana Carvalho,