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Spatial distribution and concentration assessment of total petroleum hydrocarbons in the intertidal zone surface sediment of Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil

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Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the concentrations and spatial distribution of the total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in the intertidal zone surface sediment of Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil, to assess the distribution and degree of contamination by TPHs, measure the level of TPH degradation in the surface sediment, and identify the organic matter sources. The surface sediment used in this study was collected in 50 stations, and TPHs, isoprenoid alkanes (pristane and phytane), and unresolved complex mixture (UCM) were analyzed by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The total concentrations ranged from 0.22 to 40,101 μg g−1 dry weight and showed a strong correlation with the total organic carbon (TOC) content. The highest TPH concentrations were observed in samples from the mangrove sediments of a river located near a petroleum refinery. Compared with other studies in the world, the TPH concentrations in the intertidal surface sediment of Todos os Santos Bay were below average in certain stations and above average in others. An analysis of the magnitude of UCM (0.11 to 17,323 μg g−1 dry weight) and the ratios nC17/Pr and nC18/Ph suggest that an advanced state of oil weathering, which indicates previous contamination. The molar C/N ratios varied between 5 and 43, which indicate organic matter with a mixed origin comprising marine and continental contributions.

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Abbreviations

TPH:

Total petroleum hydrocarbon

TOC:

Total organic carbon

UCM:

Unresolved complex mixture

C/N:

Carbon/Nitrogen

BTS:

Todos os santos bay

LEPETRO:

Studies laboratory of petroleum

GC-FID:

Gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector

OM:

Organic matter

TN:

Total nitrogen

PCA:

Principal component analysis

HCA:

Hierarchical cluster analysis

Pr:

Pristane

Ph:

Phytane

FAPESB:

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia

FINEP:

Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos

PETROBRAS:

Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.

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Acknowledgments

This study was performed with financial support from the FAPESB, FINEP, and PETROBRAS. American Journal Expertise is acknowledged for the English revisions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Núcleo de Estudos Ambientais, Instituto de Geociências, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus de Ondina, 40170-290, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

    Carine S. Silva, Icaro T. A. Moreira, Olivia M. C. de Oliveira, Antonio F. S. Queiroz, Karina S. Garcia, Brunno A. Falcão, Narayana F. C. Escobar & Mariana Cruz Rios

  2. Instituto de Geociências, Departamento de Geofísica, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Campus de Ondina, 40170-290, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

    Olivia M. C. de Oliveira

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  1. Carine S. Silva
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  2. Icaro T. A. Moreira
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  3. Olivia M. C. de Oliveira
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  4. Antonio F. S. Queiroz
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  5. Karina S. Garcia
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  6. Brunno A. Falcão
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  7. Narayana F. C. Escobar
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  8. Mariana Cruz Rios
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Correspondence to Icaro T. A. Moreira.

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Silva, C.S., Moreira, I.T.A., de Oliveira, O.M.C. et al. Spatial distribution and concentration assessment of total petroleum hydrocarbons in the intertidal zone surface sediment of Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil. Environ Monit Assess 186, 1271–1280 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3456-0

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