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Department of Geology, University of Kuwait

ABSTRACT

The present study has been carried out to determine the organic matter content in Kuwait Bay sediments and the factors influencing its distribution. This area is characterised by low organic matter content as compared to the calculated world average for nearshore sediments (i.e. 2.5% organic carbon). Human pollution has supplied more organic matter to the Kuwait Bay sediments than the organic production itself. This production is extremely low due to abnormally high salinity. The areas of the highest organic carbon content are situated just near the places of greatest human production of organic matter. Currents in the Bay prevent total pollution of the water by carrying a great part of the organic matter in suspension out to the open Arabian Gulf.