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<p>The Al-Uqair coast, situated along the western shore of the Arabian Gulf, has undergone rapid development in recent years driven by expanding oil-industrial activities, modern agricultural settlements, and tourism. Such activities raise concerns regarding the potential contamination of the coastal environment with potentially toxic elements (<i>PTEs</i>), which may pose ecological and human health risks. In this study, the concentrations of Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr, As, and Cd in coastal sediments were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the associated risks were evaluated. The findings revealed that metal concentrations were low and remained well below the interim sediment quality guideline (ISQG) and probable effect level (PEL) thresholds. The study results showed low values across all environmental risk indices. Average values were 0.0084 (Ni) to 1.15 (As) for the pollution index, 0.25–0.37 for the modified pollution degree, 0.08–0.15 for the pollution load index, and 0.38 (Ni) to 2.1 (As) for the toxicological risk index. Human health risks were also assessed using non-carcinogenic indicators such as the hazard quotient (<i>HQ</i>) and health risk index (<i>HRI</i>), as well as carcinogenic indicators including cancer risk (<i>CR</i>) and lifetime cancer risk (<i>LCR</i>), through ingestion and dermal exposure pathways. All results indicated minimal contamination, with <i>HRI</i> values below 1. The highest <i>CR</i> values were observed for As (3.08 × 10⁻⁶) in adults and (2.87 × 10⁻<sup>5</sup>) in children via ingestion. Similarly, the highest LCR values were recorded for As (3.09 × 10⁻⁶) in adults and (2.88 × 10⁻<sup>5</sup>) in children. These values fall within acceptable limits, indicating no significant environmental or health risks. These findings provide essential baseline data for future monitoring and management efforts, which emphasizes both economic diversification and environmental sustainability. This study therefore serves as a valuable reference for assessing the future impacts of developmental activities along the Arabian Gulf coast.</p>

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Integrated assessment of ecological and human health risks associated with potentially toxic elements in coastal sediments from the Western Arabian Gulf

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月22日

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  • Mansour H. Al-Hashim ,
  • Hamdy E. Nour,
  • Momoh A. Yakubu,
  • Talal Alharbi,
  • Abdelbaset S. El-Sorogy

摘要

The Al-Uqair coast, situated along the western shore of the Arabian Gulf, has undergone rapid development in recent years driven by expanding oil-industrial activities, modern agricultural settlements, and tourism. Such activities raise concerns regarding the potential contamination of the coastal environment with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), which may pose ecological and human health risks. In this study, the concentrations of Cu, Ni, Pb, Cr, As, and Cd in coastal sediments were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and the associated risks were evaluated. The findings revealed that metal concentrations were low and remained well below the interim sediment quality guideline (ISQG) and probable effect level (PEL) thresholds. The study results showed low values across all environmental risk indices. Average values were 0.0084 (Ni) to 1.15 (As) for the pollution index, 0.25–0.37 for the modified pollution degree, 0.08–0.15 for the pollution load index, and 0.38 (Ni) to 2.1 (As) for the toxicological risk index. Human health risks were also assessed using non-carcinogenic indicators such as the hazard quotient (HQ) and health risk index (HRI), as well as carcinogenic indicators including cancer risk (CR) and lifetime cancer risk (LCR), through ingestion and dermal exposure pathways. All results indicated minimal contamination, with HRI values below 1. The highest CR values were observed for As (3.08 × 10⁻⁶) in adults and (2.87 × 10⁻5) in children via ingestion. Similarly, the highest LCR values were recorded for As (3.09 × 10⁻⁶) in adults and (2.88 × 10⁻5) in children. These values fall within acceptable limits, indicating no significant environmental or health risks. These findings provide essential baseline data for future monitoring and management efforts, which emphasizes both economic diversification and environmental sustainability. This study therefore serves as a valuable reference for assessing the future impacts of developmental activities along the Arabian Gulf coast.