Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments of Kaohsiung Harbour and adjacent coast, Taiwan

Abstract

Surficial sediment samples collected from Kaohsiung Harbour and its nearby coast were analyzed for aliphatic hydrocarbons and parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). According to our results, the average total concentrations of n-alkanes (n-C12 to C35) and aromatics (15 PAHs) were 4.33 microg g(-1) dry weight (ranged 0.46-22.60) and 0.59 microg g(-1) dry weight (ranged 0.09-1.75), respectively. The highest concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons were recorded in stations near the estuaries of Qianzhen River and Love River, respectively. Aliphatic hydrocarbons in the samples indicate that there has been significant non-petrogenic, possibly terrestrial, contribution in the sediment of the open coast of Kaohsiung Harbour and that there has been dominant contribution from petrogenic sources in the sediment of the inner harbour. PAHs, detected in the samples, however, indicated a higher pyrolytic contribution in open-coast samples and a higher petrogenic contribution in the inner harbour. Overall, sediment concentrations of total alkanes in this study were comparable to those found in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong and are higher than those found in Xiamen Harbour, China. Concentrations of total PAHs in inner Kaohsiung Harbour sediments were relatively lower than those found in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong and Xiamen Harbour, China, but comparable to those found in Hsin-ta Harbour, Taiwan and Incheon Harbour, Korea. In comparison with several effect-based sediment quality guidelines, most PAH concentrations found in samples taken from inner harbour stations exceeded the Threshold Effect Level of Florida indicating a slight possibility of adverse effects.

Assessment of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons in Sediments of Shatt Al-Arab River, Southern Iraq, North East Arabian Gulf

“…Shatt Al-Arab river is subject to hydrocarbons pollution by sewage, industrial wastes and the activities of refining in addition to natural seeps and other human activities (Farid et al, 2016). The concentrations of n-alkanes measured here are relatively within the range of many other worldwide oil contaminated sediments such as those reported by Bouloubassi et al (2001), Yunker et al (2003), Lee et al (2005), Mille et al (2007), Zaghden et al (2007), Harji et al (2008), Da Silva and Bicego (2010), Wang et al (2011), Wagener et al (2012, Punyu et al (2013), Zrafi et al (2013) and Frena et al (2017). The comparison also reveal higher sedimentary concentrations of n-alkanes in Shatt Al-Arab River compared to those detected by Readman et al (2002), Medeiros and Bicego (2004), Medeiros et al (2005), Tolosa et al (2005), Wang et al (2006), Gao et al (2007) and Harji et al (2008).…”

Sedimentary record of PAHs in the Barigui River and its relation to the socioeconomic development of Curitiba, Brazil

“…They are often used as chemical markers to identify potential sources of environmental pollution from crude oil, gasoline and diesel (Froehner et al, 2012;Liu et al, 2008;Lee et al, 2005;Savinov et al, 2003;Yunker et al, 1999). PAHs can enter into the environment from different sources, which are primarily pyrolytic or petrogenic; biogenic sources are also possible.…”

Seasonal variation of atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons along the Kaohsiung coast

“…Because of its location and climatic features, the source, transport pathway, and concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls and PAHs) in the atmosphere of Kaohsiung city may be affected by land-sea circulations, maritime airflows, and air-water exchange processes (Fang et al, 2008). Although, some studies have been conducted to understand the sources of PAHs in urban area, industrial area, and sediments in Taiwan (Fang et al, , 2004Lee et al, 2005), the source and environmental fate of atmospheric PAHs in the coastal area has not yet been adequately characterized. The main objective of the present study was to investigate seasonal variations and atmospheric concentrations of PAHs in the coastal area of southwest Taiwan.…”