CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SEDIMENTS FROM THE GULF AREA AFTER THE 1991 OIL-SPILL

Sediment samples were collected during leg (II) of Mt Mitchell cruise in the Abu Ali area of the GuIf. These samples were subjected to trace metal analysis to determine the 1991 Gulf War oil spill environmental impact on the inundated Abu Ali area. The concentrations of barium, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, manganese, nickel, lead, titanium, vanadium, and zinc were determined using an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP). The results are compared to baseline data previously collected on the Western Coast of the Gulf with special emphasis on the Abu Ali area. Higher trace metals concentrations are observed in heavily oiled sites than moderately oiled areas. Lowest concentrations were observed in benthic samples in areas of high currents.