Historic and contemporary contamination in the marine environment of Kuwait: An overview

•Review of studies reporting levels of contaminants in Kuwait’s marine environment.•Concentrations of contaminants low compared to other industrialised regions.•Sediment contamination hotspots associated with point sources of industrial input.•PAHs in marine biota within allowable concentrations in relation to public health.•Concentrations of As and Hg in selected species exceed food safety guidelines.