Background: Land and water pollution by heavy metals is a universal issue. Although the pollution affects all countries, but its range and severity vary hugely. The pollution of the marine environment by heavy metals is a worldwide problem. Marine sediments can be sensitive indicators for monitoring contaminants in aquatic environments. Methods: The concentration of 10 elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Al, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn) was determined in the sediments of four shoreline stations including Imam Hassan port, Ameri port, Bushehr port, and Nayband Bay at the west Persian Gulf from March to December 2017. The elements were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Results: The contamination of the sediments was assessed based on the geoaccumulation index (Igeo) and enrichment factor (EF). Spearman correlation matrix was calculated between all the trace metals and major elements as well as corresponding sampling regions. Statistically significant inter-elemental correlations (e.g., Cr-Fe, Cr-Al, Cr-Ni, Cr-Zn, and Cr-Cu) were found between some metals. High EF levels for Fe, Al, and Pb suggest that metals in the sediments of the northern Persian Gulf could have originated from anthropogenic sources. Conclusion: The contamination pattern of sediments is affected by factors such as sedimentation patterns, physical and chemical properties of the sediments. For example, sediments with fine-grained and high surface area-to-volume ratio can act as good absorbents for many pollutants.

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The purpose of this study is to investigate Microplastic pollution (MPs) in important ports of the northern coast of the Persian Gulf. MPs were identified on the northern shores of the Persian Gulf in three compartments: sediment, seawater, and four species of fish. In December 2019, sampling was conducted in 7 sampling areas. In this study, 357 MPs were identified in all samples. The predominant polymer in MPs was polypropylene (PP) and later polyethylene (PE). The most polluted areas in terms of MPs in sediments, seawater, and fish were Bushehr, Bandar Abbas, and Qeshm. The fiber was the predominant form of MPs in all sampling stations and those samples taken from the surface seawater, sediments, and fish. The presence of fishing ports with fishing tools, commercial ports, the tourist attractions, and the tourist industry in these areas was an important factor controlling the distribution of MPs in these areas.