Total petroleum Hydrocarbons in Dissolved, Particulate water, and Sediment in Shatt Al-Arab Estuary and Iraqi Coastal Environment: Total petroleum Hydrocarbons in Dissolved, Particulate water, and Sediment

Haider Haider

Authors

Haider et al., 2026 Department of Applied Marine Science, College of Marine Science, University of Basrah https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4101-2716

Keywords:

Total Hydrocarbon, Dissolved Phase, Particulate Matter, Sediment

Abstract

In this research, there is a comprehensive analysis regarding the total Hydrocarbonos (THPs) in the Shatt Al-Arab estuary and the, Iraqi coastal water of northwestern Arabian Gulf over the course of the year 2025. Each of the three environmental compartments (dissolved phase, suspended solids, and the sediment) were evaluated as a means to view hydrocarbon concentrations found in these three compartments. The findings have shown that there was a clear and systematic partitioning (or distribution) of THPs between the environmental compartments that were studied. The dissolved components contained a relatively low concentration of hydrocarbons (0.096 to 0.160µg/l), which was somewhat of a predictable pattern given the limited solubility of petroleum hydrocarbons as well as the rapid loss of dissolved hydrocarbons from the water column into sediment. Conversely, suspended particulates acted as a transitional transport medium between dissolved and bottom sediments and had hydrocarbon concentrations ranging from a maximum of 39.41µg/g (Station 3) which was influenced by resuspension processes and hydrodynamic activity. The bottom sediments act as the main and most stable deposition site for hydrocarbons, with hydrocarbon concentrations ranging from 46.13-92.41µg/g with the greatest accumulation of hydrocarbons at Station 1 and suggesting that the hydrocarbons have remained persistent over time and are from anthropogenic input. The statistical evaluations performed by the one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test demonstrated a statistically significant amount of spatial variability (p < 0.001), specifically indicating spatially recognized estimation pollution hotspots with localized sources and sediment characteristics. In general, this research work will provide the baseline data for further research and outlines the need for multiple-sector strategies. We recommend the assessment of ecological health to monitor possible bioaccumulation risks to ensure the future environmental security of the Shatt Al-Arab and the communities that depend on the water resources within it.

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