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Normal alkanes in sediments from the Persian Gulf: spatial pattern and implications for autochthonous, allochthonous, and petroleum-originated contaminants

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Abstract

Surface sediments (n = 124) were gathered to evaluate spatial pattern and source apportionment of ∑24n-alkanes in the Persian Gulf. Moran’s I indices revealed that ∑24n-alkanes were randomly distributed in sampling space in general. One noticeable exception was a significant spatial high-high cluster (Z-score = 8.6). Profile of n-alkanes observed for this cluster maximized at n-C20, n-C18, n-C16, and n-C22. Detection of very low carbon preference indices and strong even carbon-numbered predominance suggested that bacterial inputs were the process making this cluster. Based on diagnostic ratios and GIS techniques, in situ production of organic materials was widespread in the studied space. Allochthonous and petroleum-based inputs were not traceable for 73.8% and 24.7% of the area, respectively. Petrogenic source apportionment map proposed that petroleum-originated contaminants were probably limited to 6.32 km2 of the sampling matrix. The biogenic inputs (autochthonous and allochthonous inputs) and not the petroleum contaminants were the main source of n-alkanes deposited. 

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

Alamtaj Aghadadashi, who did always her best, is sincerely appreciated now and forever.

Funding

The present research was financially supported by INIOAS (Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science, Grant No. 392-D.P-011.02) and the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, Iran.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science, P.O. Box: 1411813389, No. 3, Etemadzadeh St., Fatemi Ave, Tehran, Iran

    Vahid Aghadadashi & Ali Mehdinia

  2. Department of Chemistry, Kharazmi University, P.O. Box: 1571914911, 43Mofateh Ave., Tehran, Iran

    Saeideh Molaei

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  1. Vahid Aghadadashi
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Correspondence to Vahid Aghadadashi.

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Highlights

•∑24n-alkanes were randomly distributed in sampling space in general.

•The detected high-high spatial cluster was possibly because of autochthonous bacterial lipids accumulating in saline and carbonate-siliciclastic system of the Persian Gulf.

•Allochthonous inputs were not present at the majority of the sampling space.

•The main source of n-alkanes in the examined sediments was in situ production of organic matters and not the petroleum-originated contaminants.

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Aghadadashi, V., Mehdinia, A. & Molaei, S. Normal alkanes in sediments from the Persian Gulf: spatial pattern and implications for autochthonous, allochthonous, and petroleum-originated contaminants. Environ Monit Assess 193, 364 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09122-x

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