M. U. Beg

Distribution of petroleum hydrocarbon in sediment from coastal area receiving industrial effluents in Kuwait

Sediment samples from the coastal area facing Shuaiba industrial area (15 x 1.5 km(2)) were examined for contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons. Aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediment extracts were characterized largely by unresolved complex mixture from nC(22)-nC(33). The sediment samples from the upstream area facing Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery to Shuaiba Harbor were heavily polluted with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) possibly due to the higher depth in the area created for a navigational channel to the harbor. PAHs at these locations exceeded the probable effect levels with reference to sediment quality guidelines.

Characterization of landfill leachates at a waste disposal site in Kuwait

Abstract The physico-chemical characteristics of shallow ground water at the Al-Sulaibiyah solid waste disposal site were studied by collecting samples periodically through four bore holes installed at 500 m distances. Samples collected at the current dumping site showed high values in all the parameters. The BOD/COD ratio at one site was around 0.5. However, acidic pH, a characteristics of young leachate was not evident. Leachate values of Ni and V were high indicating the disposal of predominantly petroleum related waste at the site.

POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN THREE VARIETIES OF FISH FROM KUWAIT BAY

The study reports levels of parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in three native fish species—mullet, sea bream and tonguesole—captured from Kuwait Bay (KB) area and outside the Bay from the Auha area between October 2004 and June 2005. KB has witnessed rapid urban and industrial development since the discovery of oil and is considered to be the most productive area in the region. Whole fish analysis revealed that the lower molecular weight PAHs (pyrene, fluoranthene and phenanthrene) were present in all the three varieties of fish in considerably higher amounts. Other low molecular weight PAHs like acenaphthylene, acenaphthene and anthracene were also present but in lower concentrations. Among the higher molecular weight PAHs, the frequency of detection of benzo(a)anthracene and chrysene was high and were present in high concentrations, whereas Benzo(k)fluoranthene and benzo(a)pyrene were not frequent in detection. The contamination of Σ PAHs was higher in the winter season in mullet and sea bream but in tonguesole a reverse pattern was found. Tonguesole from KB had the highest Σ PAHs suggesting that this bottom dwelling species can be used as an indicator of sediment pollution in the area. The observed seasonality in ∑ PAHs concentration in fish coupled with species difference may be related to difference in metabolic disposition of pollutants and their habitats.

Airborne dust collected from Kuwait in 1991–1992 augments peroxidation of cellular membrane lipids and enhances DNA damage

This paper reports the results of studies on airborne dust samples collected from the Ahmadi area of Kuwait in 1991, 1992, and 1995. These samples were tested for their ability to enhance peroxidative damage of lipid-rich biological membranes. The damage caused by the dust collected during 1991 and 1992 enhanced both enzymatic and non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation more significantly as compared to the dust collected during 1995. In a separate study, these samples were further tested for their ability to enhance DNA damage. The samples of 1991-92 caused single strand breaks as well as deoxyribose sugar damage. The enhancement in the single strand breaks was 33 to 40%. To find out the mechanism of DNA damage and lipid peroxidation, similar studies were performed in the presence of quenchers of hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anions (O 2 ), singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). The O 2 scavenger, superoxide dismutase, and quencher of H 2 O 2 , catalase, almost abolished the dust-mediated enhancement in DNA damage, suggesting a role of O 2 and H 2 O 2 in this process. However, the scavengers of singlet oxygen, β-carotene and hydroxyl radical, ethanol and dimethyl sulfoxide had no effect in suppressing the enhancement of DNA damage and lipid peroxidation. These studies suggest that the airborne dust collected soon after the war was contaminated with certain constituent elements which were effective in enhancing lipid peroxidation and causing DNA damage through the generation of O 2 and H 2 O 2 .

COMPARISON OF THE LEVELS OF PAHs PRESENT IN THE DUST COLLECTED FROM DIFFERENT RESIDENTIAL AREAS OF KUWAIT, 1991-1996

Levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the dust collected from the air conditioner filters from different residential areas of Kuwait were compared. The samples were collected between 1991 (when the oil fires were raging) and 1996. The results showed that high levels of PAHs were present (16.7 μg/g) in the sample collected from Ahmadi, close to oil fires. The levels dropped sharply one year later (2.4 μg/g) and continued the same trend to the present (1.6 μg/g). The 1991 sample from Jahra (relatively close to northern oil fires) also showed elevated levels (11.1 μg/g). However, the 1996 levels were also high (10.7 μg/g). The 1991 PAH levels in the dust from the different residential areas of Kuwait were comparable to the levels in the sample from a residential area in Dubai (2.7 μg/g). The 1996 levels in the AC filter dust from the same areas were not significantly different from 1991 levels.

The Effect of Temperature on the Composition and Relative Toxicity of the Water-Soluble Fraction of Kuwait Crude Oil (Export) in the Seawater

Abstract The effect of temperature on the composition of the water-soluble fraction (WSF) of Kuwait crude oil was investigated. The results showed that the WSF consisted of mostly monoaromatic (BTEX) compounds. The total concentration of volatiles in the WSF was about 7.5 mg/1. The increase in the temperature from 15°C to 25°C caused an increase of about 10% and to 35°C did not significantly affect the total concentration. GC-MS analysis of the concentrated extract of the WSF resulted in the identification of nine PAHs and six methylated PAHs. The total concentration of the PAHs ranged from 0.217 mg/1 to 0.634 mg/1. The PAHs increased significantly with increasing temperature. Naphthalene and methylated naphthalenes constituted about 95% of the total PAHs. Microtox assay of the WSF showed that the relative toxicity increased when the temperature was increased from 15° to 25°C. Increasing temperature further to 35°C did not effect the relative toxicity.

Seasonal effect on heat shock proteins in fish from Kuwait bay.

Heat shock proteins (HSP70) play a significant role in adaptation to temperature and have been proposed as an indicator of cellular stress. Since the water temperature in Kuwait’s marine area varies from 13 to 35°C from winter to summer, HSP70 could be a valuable tool in aquaculture in Kuwait. HSP70 levels were quantified by Western blotting in liver, muscle and gill tissues of two varieties of native fish species captured during the winter and summer months from both inside and outside the highly stressed Kuwait Bay area. The HSP70 levels did not differ statistically between fish captured from the two sampling areas. The most common response in both species was higher median levels of HSP70 in winter months. This inverse relation between HSP70 levels in the fish and the water temperature may be due to either genetic adaptation in the fish to the hot climatic conditions of the region or other stressors, such as changes in pollutant levels in the surrounding water.

Microtox assay for assessment of marine pollution in industrial discharge zone of Kuwait

Twelve major industries in the Shuaiba Industrial Area of Kuwait generate about 30,000 m3/d wastewater, which is discharged to the sea either directly or after treatment. To assess the quality of the Shuaiba bay area, water samples were collected twice a week for six months from seven points of discharge, each representing a source from a major industry. Samples were analyzed for physicochemical characteristics and toxicity using the Microtox assay. Chemical analysis revealed that the contamination of oil was higher at sites 5 and 6 while four heavy metals were evenly distributed at different sites. The Microtox assay indicated that 31 samples out of 378 samples exerted acute to medium levels of toxicity, which were mostly from sites 6 and 7. The episodes of toxicity were greater in the summer months compared to winter months, whereas the pattern of chemical contaminants was not influenced by the seasonal change.

Responses of alveolar macrophages to post-Gulf-War airborne dust from Kuwait

The Kuwait oil fires of 1991 resulting from the Iraqi invasion created an unprecedented environmental pollution to which the population was exposed for a prolonged period. The impact of such pollution on human health, especially the respiratory system, needs to be adequately assessed, given the well known relationship between air pollution and respiratory diseases. Alveolar macrophages (AM) are the main resident cells in the bronchial lumen and are known to perform microbicidal and tumoricidal roles by releasing oxygen radicals and cytokines. The effects of the extracts and particles of the post oil fire airborne dust collected from air conditioner filters in the Ahmadi area of Kuwait in 1991-1995 on the in vitro spontaneous and PMA-stimulated generation of superoxide ions (O 2 - ) from guinea pig AM and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) release from mouse AM were studied. Treatment of adherent AM with aqueous extract of the 1991 dust (0.6-10 mg/mL) resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of basal, as well as PMA-induced O 2 - release. At lower concentrations, slight increases were seen. Fifty percent inhibition of O 2 - release was achieved by extracts of 1-2.4 mg/mL of the dust and at 10 mg/mL the maximal inhibition was 79-88%. At the same concentration range, the extract also inhibited the LPS-stimulated release of TNFα from mouse AM. These effects were more pronounced in the 1991 dust samples than in the 1992 and 1995 samples. No such effect was seen with the extract of silica (SiO 2 ) used as particulate control. All washed dust or SiO 2 particulates directly induced the release of both O 2 - and TNFα from these cells. These results show that the post-oil fire airborne dust of Kuwait contained soluble pollutants that were capable of inhibiting the host defensive functions of the AM and this may have possibly resulted in an increased susceptibility to respiratory infections and neoplasms among the exposed population.

Seasonal effect on biomarkers of exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons in fish from Kuwait's marine area.

The aquatic biota of the Arabian Gulf deals with exposure to chronic oil pollution, several constituents of which cause induction of Cytochrome P450 1A that serves as a biomarker of AhR ligand exposure. In this study, fluorescent aromatic compounds (FACs) in bile and 7-ethoxyresorufin-o-deethylase (EROD) catalytic activity were determined as a measure of exposure biomarkers in two fish species, yellow fin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) and tonguesole (Cynoglossus arel) captured from Kuwait Bay and outside the Bay area. FACs in fish bile determined by using fixed-wavelength fluorescence (FF) showed high fluorescence ratios between FF290/335 and FF380/430 indicating predominant exposure to low molecular weight, naphthalene-rich petroleum products (375±91.0 pg ml(-1)). Exposures to benzo(a)pyrene-type high-molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) originating from burnt fuel were also present in appreciable concentration in the bile. The ratio of petrogenic to pyrogenic hydrocarbon was twofold higher in winter compared to summer months in both species. Seasonal effect on EROD was significant in tonguesole in Auha site (P<0.05); whereas seabream resisted seasonal change. Tonguesole is considered to be a suitable bioindicator of oil pollution in Kuwait Bay area.