Hydrocarbons in coastal sediments from the Mediterranean sea (Gulf of Fos area, France)

Sedimentary hydrocarbons have been studied quantitatively and qualitatively in 11 coastal stations located in the Gulf of Fos (French Mediterranean coast). Hydrocarbon levels ranged from 10 to 260 mg kg −1 sed. dry weight. A new parameter “NAR” (Natural n-alkane ratio) is proposed to evaluate the co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2007-05, Vol.54 (5), p.566-575
Main Authors: Mille, Gilbert, Asia, Laurence, Guiliano, Michel, Malleret, Laure, Doumenq, Pierre
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Chromatography, Gas
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Environmental Monitoring - statistics & numerical data
Environmental Pollutants - analysis
Exact sciences and technology
France
Geologic Sediments - analysis
Gulf of Fos
Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons - analysis
Marine
Mediterranean Sea
Natural n-alkane ratio
Natural water pollution
PAHs
Pollution
Pollution, environment geology
Seawaters, estuaries
Sediments
Water treatment and pollution
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Summary:Sedimentary hydrocarbons have been studied quantitatively and qualitatively in 11 coastal stations located in the Gulf of Fos (French Mediterranean coast). Hydrocarbon levels ranged from 10 to 260 mg kg −1 sed. dry weight. A new parameter “NAR” (Natural n-alkane ratio) is proposed to evaluate the contribution of terrestrial inputs of hydrocarbons in the sediments. The origins of hydrocarbons are multiple: terrestrial inputs, biogenic, pyrolytic (industry emissions mainly steel and iron industries, ship and road traffic). Generally, the main source of contamination is not petroleum. Several ratios between parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons show that the sources of hydrocarbons in the sediments are generally much more pyrolytic than petrogenic.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2006.12.009