Effect of Trace Metals Levels in Wastewater Discharges, Sediment and Euchelus Asper in Kuwait Marine Environment

Abstract

This study assesses the effect of major trace metals levels in wastewater discharges and sediment<br />from twenty four permanent and five semi-permanent wastewater drain outlets into the Kuwait coast. The<br />effect of trace metals levels released from untreated wastewater discharges to Euchelus asper, gastropod was also determined. Results showed high trace metal levels in E. asper tissues, followed by sediment and in wastewater during winter than in summer irrespectively of the sampled areas. Regionally, distributed wastewater drain outlets in six Kuwait Governorates (GI-GVI) revealed high trace metal levels in GI due to industrialization and occasional untreated wastewater discharges into the marine environment. High Zn and Cr in the gastropod, sediment and wastewater samples indicated the effect of oil spills and untreated wastewater discharged into the sea. Results of our study exceeding the standards pollution limits could be validated as a tool to undertake precautionary measures to similar polluted areas elsewhere in the globe.