Petroleum hydrocarbons in the nearshore marine sediments of the United Arab Emirates.

The concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) were determined in nearshore sediment samples collected from 28 sampling sites along the United Arab Emirates shorelines on the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and seven major creeks (khors) extending from them. Concentrations were highly variable and ranged between <0.4 and 212 microg g(-1) dry weight, and the highest values obtained were in the top sediment (1 cm) layer near a fuel filling station and port areas. Locally high levels of TPH were found in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman semi-enclosed creeks where boat activities and land-based wastewater discharges are most common. Data support the premise that port activities, fuel filling stations and land-based wastewater discharges are major sources of pollution in the study area. Correlations with sediment grain size, total organic carbon (TOC) and distance from pollution sources are discussed.