Fate of oil hydrocarbons in fish and shrimp after major oil spills in the Arabian Gulf

The results of studies conducted to assess the extent of oil hydrocarbon contamination of fish following major oil spills in the Arabian Gulf in 1983 and 1991 are summarized. Five species of fish of commercial value (Epinephelus multinotatus, Lutjanus malabaricus, Lethrinus sp., Siganus rivulatus, Rastrelliger kanagurta) and shrimps (Penaeus semisculcatus) were studied. Concentrations of n-alkanes in fish samples collected after the 1983 oil spill were 0.1-3.948 ug per kg. PAH concentrations were 0.02-34,045 ug per kg. Concentrations of n-alkanes in fish samples collected during the 1991 oil spill were 0.01-335 ug per kg wet weight. PAH concentrations were 0.02-24.4 ug per kg. No human health hazard was posed by consumption of fish from the Arabian Gulf.