Modelling the behaviour of hazardous chemicals in the Kuwait's coastal environment and studies on the effects of contamination on marine biota

Managing the coastal environment requires sound information not only on contaminant concentrations in environmental compartments, but also a quantitative understanding of the sources, transport pathways, fate, speciation, toxicity, and the bioaccumulation potential in the aquatic environment. One approach to understand such complex processes is by developing a mass-balance multispecies multicompartment model. Such a model can only be developed from a combination of laboratory- and field-based experimentation. The Project is based on the use of Radiotracers in order to assess sediments accumulation rates and their evolution with time. The natural background concentrations of micro-pollutant in sediments will be also determined. Solute particle interactions will be assessed through the DGT technique (Diffusive gradient on thin film) and the analysis of suspended particulate matter. Process studies will be completed by assessing the sediment-water interactions (diffusion, resuspension, bioturbation). The most harmful contaminants, such as heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and - dibenzo furans (PCDD/Fs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) will be selected as target analytes for this study. All the field studies will be supported by a numerical model dedicated to multicompartment processes understanding. The model will be also useful to address future research and will permit the design of future monitoring plans.