Multidimensional Assessment of Trace Metals and Criteria Pollutants Using Air and Water Quality Indices in the Kuwait Environments - Extended task II

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Following a fine detailed literature and preliminary site surveys of our earlier project, we found that specific studies in polluted sites of Kuwait is essential to determine the role of air and water pollution in a multidimensional approach, hence, the proposal for Extended Task Phase-ll. Site specific study of-outdoor air quality assessment will be conducted to determine: 1) The effect of ‘criteria pollutants’ and trace metals near cement mixing quarries, waste disposed in open areas, constructional activities in newly-built locations distributed in the Kuwait Governorate areas; 2) Selected trace metals of importance (particulates (PM10, PM2.5 ) in the above-mentioned sites from ambient air; 3) Bio-monitoring studies on the trace metals in selected cultivable, edible plants of Kuwait that will determine the concept of pollution indices, translocation factor and, deduce the toxicity levels of each pollutant, especially from the indigenous cultivable plants of Kuwait to residents of Kuwait. This investigation will undertake site-specific study of selected trace metals and ‘criteria pollutants’ in selected indoor establishment of public utility to deduce the occupational exposure of indoor pollution and correlate the influence of external and internal variables and indoor air quality.This study will validate water pollution assessment by training and supporting a postgraduate student (Eman A. Al-Feraih), enrolled for the Environmental Science Course (EVS: 500). A case study on the assessment of mercury pollution in seawater, sediment and commercial marine fishes will be conducted to deduce the dietary intake of residents in Kuwait. This study will pursue post-graduate students in the environmental field and create public awareness to curb pollution through a multi-dimensional approach.