Abstract
To assess the spatial distribution and ecological risk assessment along the Red Sea coast, Saudi Arabia, 30 samples were collected for aluminum, chromium, copper, zinc, cadmium, lead, mercury, iron, cobalt, nickel and organic matter analysis. The descending order of metal concentrations was Al > Fe > Cr > Cu > Zn > Ni > Co > Pb > Hg > Cd. Average values of enrichment factor of Hg, Cd, Cu, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn were higher than 2 (209.50, 25.52, 20.36, 9.62, 7.28, 6.52, 6.21 and 6.07 respectively), which means anthropogenic sources of these metals. The average levels most of the studied metals were lower than those of the background shale and the earth crust and those recorded along most worldwide coasts, while the average values of zinc, copper, cobalt and nickel were higher than the values recorded from the Red Sea coast, the Gulf of Aqaba and some Caspian Sea coasts. The Duba bulk plant-Saudi Aramco, Duba refinery station and the tourist resort were the possible anthropogenic sources of pollutants in the southern part of the study area; and the landfilling, cement factory and Duba port and shipment operations in the central part, while the landfilling resulting from construction of the green Duba power plant and crowded fish boats were the possible sources in the northern part.
•Present work deals with distribution and sediment quality of the coastal sediments along the Red Sea coast, Saudi Arabia.•Al, Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Hg, Fe, Co, Ni and organic matter were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.•Average levels of enrichment factor of Hg, Cd, Cu, Co, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn were higher than 2 indicating anthropogenic sources.•Possible sources of metals pollution are shipment operations, Duba refinery station and cement factory, and land filling.