A baseline study of heavy metals in the ports of Yemen

الملخص EN

Because of potential health hazards, there is a great concern about setting up a baseline levels for many elements in the Yemeni ports.

The present work involves an assessment of the levels of some trace element pollution in seawaters, from Yemeni ports, in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

The levels of seven trace element ion concentrations (Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni ,Pb and Zn ) were determined by using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) from seventeen selected sampling sites, during 22-30 November 2006.

The trace elements were found in comparable concentrations with unpolluted marine environments, were generally lied within the normal range of values reported in other regions of the world.

The variation within the sites were mainly attributed due to the petroleum-rich substrate in the region, geochemical mobility and human activities in the Yemeni ports.

Thus, it was concluded that the investigated trace elements do not present an environmental hazards for the present time.

However, periodic monitoring of at least the more toxic element pollutants should be conducted to ensure the continued viability of these species and to detect any potential health hazard that could arise