Petroleum hydrocarbons in offshore sediments from the gulf

Petroleum hydrocarbons in offshore sediments from the central part of the Gulf were measured using fluorescence spectrophotometry. Concentrations varied between 4.0 and 56.2 μg g−1 wet sediment (expressed as Kuwait Crude Oil equivalents), with an average of 12.3 μg g−1. Highest concentrations were recorded in the north-west sector, with concentrations decreasing in a south-westerly direction. No significant correlations were observed between petroleum hydrocarbons and sedimentary organic carbon (r = −0.07), ‘mud’ content (r = 0.09), ‘sand’ content (r = −0.08) or ‘gravel’ content (r = −0.12). Distributions of oil are considered to relate more closely to prevailing current and localized pollutant sources in the region. Despite the substantial inputs of oil to the Gulf, contamination can be considered comparatively low, possibly reflecting physical processes and biological degradation which accelerate removal of petroleum from this marine environment.