Abstract

In order to determine distribution and seasonal patterns of heavy metals concentration in the intertidal sediment of the north Oman sea, samples of sediment were collected from five different station in August 2007 and February 2008. The samples were oven dried and acid digested. Heavy metals content of acid digested samples were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometery method. Results showed that mean Cu, Pb and Ni concentration during summer were 38.28 ± 0.37, 50.37 ± 2.41 and 26.90 ± 2.72 µg.g^-1 respectively. The average heavy metals concentration in winter was sharply dropped to 16.45 ± 1.77, 13.56 ± 1.24 and 14.68 ± 1.93 µg.g^-1 for Cu, Pb and Ni respectively. Though Cu and Ni concentration did not significantly change over various station, seasonal difference between heavy metals concentration in sediment was significant (P < 0.05). It is suggested that Cu and Ni originate from non point sources. The heavy metals concentration  in the sediment may hardly be affected by monsoon.

Key words: Heavy metals, intertidal zone, sediment.