Levels and distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons in the coastal waters and sediments of the United Arab Emirates in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman

The levels and distributions of petroleum hydrocarbons in coastal waters and sediments of the United Arab Emirates (U. A. E.) along the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman were investigated. Oil concentrations in the waters of the U. A. E. were below the 15 mu g L-1 and ranged from 1.6 to 13 mu g L-1. Petroleum hydrocarbons showed different pattern of distribution in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman with more or less similar values. Horizontal distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons at the Arabian Gulf showed significant differences between most sites. At the Gulf of Oman, similar oil concentrations were measured at different sites. Meanwhile, vertical distributions of petroleum hydrocarbons indicated higher concentrations at surface layers of the Arabian Gulf compared to bottom layers. Whereas, more or less similar concentrations were measured at the Gulf of Oman. The concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in marine sediments varied from 2.5 to 8.2 mu g g(-1) (dry sediment weight), with higher concentrations at the Arabian Gulf compared to the Gulf of Oman. The pattern of distribution for petroleum hydrocarbons in marine sediments resembled to some extent the distribution of organic carbon in marine sediments. The study revealed that the concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons in waters and sediments of the investigated area are not high compared to other areas of the world.