Total Hydrocarbons in sediments core samples from Shatt Al-Arab Estuary, Um Qaser and Khor Al-Zubair

Abstract

The present study were determined the concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbon using spectroflurometer for sediment cores to eight sites ,six of them along Shatt Al-Arab estuary (Qurna,Dear, Kerma ,Ashar, Abo Al-Kasseb and FAO) in additional to two stations at Khor Al-Zubair and Um Qaser.Total petroleum hydrocarbons ranged (2.03-0.94) at Qurna, (8.8 to 1.2) al Dear, (9.22-3.91 )at Kerma, (26.27-16.22) at Ashar, (18.54-3.7) at Abu Al-Kaseeb, (22.6-5.22) at Fao (6.75-0.96) at Um Qaser and (4.85-1.11) μg/g dry weight at Khor Al-Zubair The high average concentrations recorded in the Ashar (18.083) due to the presence of sources of oil pollution from the movement of boats and ships and the presence of oil refineries such as Al-Amuftih and Abadan which affected the areas, while the lower average were recorded in Qurna area (1.254) μg/g dry weight, because the sources of pollution where few or almost non-existent, where no industrial activities that cause pollution in the region in addition to being represented the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates point and thus exposed to continuous washing. The analysis of the Total Organic Carbon were analyzed and high percentage recorded in Ashar (1.614%) and the lowest recorded in the Qurna( 0.658%). The Grain Size of sediment were also analyzed and the silt loam was predominate in most of the study areas.