Heavy metal assessment in Nador lagoon (Mediterranean coast) was carried out using different
environmental indices. In addition, heavy metal concentrations were measured in sediment samples and
compared with consensus-based sediment quality guidelines. The spatial distributions of the main
contamination sources of heavy metals were identified and described using chemometric and geographic
information system methods.
The results show that heavy metals occur in lagoon sediments largely due to the anthropogenic
activities in the area (urban effluents). The concentrations of heavy metals found in surface sediments are
There is a rapid industrial development at the coast of the
Arabian Gulf in Saudi Arabia, which may be the source of pollution
to marine organisms. Therefore, the main objectives of the present
study are to evaluate the levels of pollution along the central
Arabian Gulf from Ras Abu Aly to Ras Tanura in order to provide a
successful management of the marine ecosystems.