TRACE METALS TRAJECTORY OF WASTEWATER AND THEIR TOXICITY TO MARINE FISH USING NUMERICAL SIMULATION MODEL

A.H. BU-OLAYAN¹, EID EID NABIL², B.V. THOMAS³*
¹Department of Chemistry, Kuwait University, Khaldiya Campus, Safat 13060, Kuwait
²Department of Chemistry, Kuwait University, Khaldiya Campus, Safat 13060, Kuwait
³Department of Chemistry, Kuwait University, Khaldiya Campus, Safat 13060, Kuwait
* Corresponding Author : bivint@yahoo.com

Received : 30-08-2016     Accepted : 06-11-2016     Published : 14-11-2016
Volume : 7     Issue : 4       Pages : 191 - 195
J Ecol Environ Sci 7.4 (2016):191-195

Keywords : Bio-indicator, Elemental Analysis, Marine Environment, Numerical Model
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : This study was financially supported by Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) through research grant KFAS-2012-1401-04. We also thank the Vice Dean, Research Administration and, General Research Facility (GS01/05), Kuwait University, Kuwait, for their technical support
Author Contribution : Mr Nabil, contributed the sample collection and analysis in the ICP-MS. Prof. Bu-Olayan, outlaid the governance of the research activities and facilitated the financial and technical support through KFAS and Research Administration, Kuwait University. Dr.

The adverse ecological conditions caused to the commercial Seabreams: Diplodus sargus sargus L., Rhabdosargus sarba F., and Crenidenscrenidens F., fish was observed due to the increase in wastewater pollution. Using DESCAR-3.2 software program, trace metals trajectories from the drain outfalls was modeledbesides, the laboratory assessment of static toxicity and bioaccumulation tests. The wastewater discharged from seven drain outfalls (SI-SVII) showed high trace metals sequence (Zn>Fe>Cu>Pb>Cr>As>Hg) during winter than in the summer seasons. Toxicity tests showed high trace metals sensitivity in the sequence of C. crenidens>D. sargus>R. sarba. Bioaccumulation factor (BAF) >1 in these fish exposed for 30d indicated significant trace metals accumulation from wastewater. Fish indicating BAF <1 suggested the trace metals in their body parts was due to the adsorption process or through victuals. This novel multidimensional study not only labelled the sampled fish species as bio-indicator and bio-accumulator to wastewater pollution but also, validated the specific seasonal orientation and dispersion of wastewater into the marine environment unlike earlier findings in the region.