Assessing of Metals and Metalloids in Surface Sediments along the Gulf of Aqaba Coast, Northwestern Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT Batayneh, A.T.; Ghrefat, H.; Zumlot, T.; Elawadi, E.; Mogren, S.; Zaman, H.; Al-Taani, A.A.; Nazzal, Y., and Elwahaidi, M., 2015. Assessing of metals and metalloids in surface sediments along the Gulf of Aqaba coast, northwestern Saudi Arabia. The Gulf of Aqaba in northwestern Saudi Arabia is among the world's most important areas in terms of marine diversity and economic potential. Its coastal area witnessed significant anthropogenic changes as a result of rapid economic development and urbanization during recent decades. To document the impacts of these changes on the local environment, the distribution of heavy metal and metalloid pollutants (Fe, Al, As, Cu, B, Zn, Ba, Cr, Pb, Mn, Hg, V, Co, Mo, Se, Sb, Cd, and Be) and their variations in the surface sediments were investigated. Based on average concentrations, the dominance is as follows: Fe > Al > As > Cu > B > Zn > Ba > Cr > Pb > Mn > Hg > V > Co > Mo > Se > Sb > Cd > Be. The results showed a strongly positive linear correlation among Ba, C...