Assessment of seawater quality along northern coast of oman

Detailed studies on the extent of the ocean water pollution by oil-related sources in Gulf of Oman are scarce, so this study can be considered as a baseline study to assess seawater pollution along northern coast of Oman. Seawater samples were collected at 44 locations along the coast. In-situ measurements of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen profiles were carried out using a CTD probe at each location. The samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). An average DO value of 5ppm was observed in most of the profiles. This value corresponds to the lower limit of a healthy marine life. The DO levels below this value put aquatic life under stress. Chemical analysis of the samples collected from the study area showed that lead concentrations are extremely high at some locations, especially the ones close to Sultan Qaboos Port, Muscat and Oman LNG plant. The maximum concentrations of lead and vanadium were found to be 50ppb and 6ppb, respectively. Both these trace metals are essential components of the petroleum, especially vanadium which is found to be a good indicator for the presence of oil in the environment.