Hydrocarbon Contamination of Coastal Sediments from the Sfax Area (Tunisia), Mediterranean Sea

Aliphatic hydrocarbon pollution and macrobenthic assemblages in Ceuta harbour: a multivariate approach

“…The total n-alkane concentration, and some typical indexes giving information on the origin, degree of maturity and redox state of the sediments, such as the carbon preference index (CPI) (Bray & Evans 1961), the n-alkanes ratio ≥n-C 24 : <n-C 24 (modified from Commendatore et al 2000) and the pristane:phytane ratio, 2 common isoprenoids, were calculated (Louati et al 2001). In addition, indicators of oil pollution inputs, such as the area of the unresolved complex mixture (UCM) and the relationship between UCM and resolved alkanes (Readman et al 2002), were also calculated.…”

“…We might suggest that the high values of total hydrocarbons obtained in Ceuta harbour could be influenced by the quantification method used (gravimetry). Nevertheless, Louati et al (2001) compared the hydrocarbon concentrations evaluated by gravimetry with the concentrations obtained by FT/IR (fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), and the values were very similar in both methods. The elevated concentrations of total hydrocarbon in Ceuta harbour indicate an important anthropogenic input, in this case derived mainly by loading and dumping in shipping operations, accidental oil spills that have occurred during the last decades, and sewage disposal.…”

“…Although many studies on hydrocarbon data in sediments have been published (Bouloubassi et al 1997, Choiseul et al 1998, Al-Omran & Rao 1999, Dachs et al 1999, Pereira et al 1999, Gogou et al 2000, Louati et al 2001, Wu et al 2001, Parga-Lozano et al 2002, Readman et al 2002, Sharma et al 2002, no biological data of macrofauna abundances are reported. Furthermore, a multivariate approach, including the relationship between soft-bottom macrofaunal assemblages and the chemical parameters of hydrocarbons, is lacking.…”

Spatial pattern of ciliates in relation to environmental factors at Sfax south coast (Gulf of Gabes, Tunisia)

“…This study was carried out in the south coast of Sfax (central eastern coast of Tunisia, between 34°N and 10°E), a city with a dry climate (average precipitation: 210 mm) and by winds, waves and currents (0.2-0.3 s -1 ) having a predominant northsouth direction (16). This area is surrounded by the industrial zone of Sfax, and the Phosphogypsum and Manure Production Factory SIAPE SociétéIndustrielled 'Acide Phosphoriqueetd' Engrais).…”

Crude Oil Metagenomics for Better Bioremediation of Contaminated Environments

“…An imperceptible but daily source of oil discharge in the sea is represented by wastewater discharges (industrial and domestic wastes). The total hydrocarbon content in wastewater ranges from 200 to 1800 mg/day/habitant (Louati et al, 2001). Multiple examples in the world confirmed that the most significant catastrophes are related to oil pollution such as those recorded in 1967 (Spain, France, USA) and in 2010 (Gulf of Mexico, USABP platform).…”