Hydrocarbons in the sediments of Port Valdez,Alaska: Consequences of five years' permitted discharge

Hydrocarbons have been investigated in the sediments of Port Valdez, Alaska after three to five years of oil terminal operation with a routine daily discharge of 170 kg of petroleum residue in an otherwise undeveloped area. Surficial benthic sediments (0–5 cm) and core segments down to 30 cm have been analyzed. Information about total hydrocarbons, unresolved complex mixture, normal alkanes, pristane, phytane, hopanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons indicates that petroleum, biogenic hydrocarbons, and combustion-derived aromatic hydrocarbons are present in sediments around the terminal at concentrations up to 218 μg g^?1 dry sediment. The vertical, horizontal and temporal distributions of anthropogenic hydrocarbons indicate that most of the sedimentary hydrocarbon accumulation has occurred within 1 km of the terminal. A simple calculation suggests that less than 3% of the total oil discharged during routine operations of the terminal has entered the sediments of Port Valdez. For comparison sediment hydrocarbon accumulation associated with a nearby small boat harbor was also examined.     

Petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments of Southampton water estuary

The sediments of Southampton Water were analysed for petroleum hydrocarbons to determine the fate of petrochemical refinery waste in the estuary. Much of the petroleum hydrocarbons appears to be removed by adsorption onto estuarine sediments close to source. Surface sediment concentrations range from 3·1mg/g dry weight near a refinery to 0·5 mg/g dry weight at locations distant from the refinery.The absence of any change with depth in total hydrocarbon concentrations from some sediment cores and the presence of distinct ‘oil’ horizons in others suggests that mixing of sediments in the area is very random. Sedimentation rates in areas where a distinct oil horizon was observed ranged from 1 to 3cm a year.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in gulf of maine sediments: Distributions and mode of transport

Sediments from 19 stations in the Gulf of Maine were analyzed for 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds in 1983. Thirteen of the compounds were distributed widely with total concentrations ranging from 10–512 ppb (dry wt). These values are an order of magnitude lower than those observed in the coastal zone but higher than those on Georges Bank. PAH concentration was directly related to grain size, total organic carbon (TOC) and distance from source. PAHs appear to be accumulating in Wilkinson and Jordan Basins but not in Georges Basin. Observed PAH distributions support the conclusion that the principal transport mechanism is through the atmosphere with localized augmentation by sediment resuspension and transport from coastal embayments.     

Mercury pollution in sediments,benthic organisms and inshore fishes of Haifa Bay,Israel

Total mercury concentrations were determined in surficial sediments, eleven species of benthic organisms and six species of fish from Haifa Bay, Israel. The results show that essentially all of the shallow water zone of the Bay receives anthropogenic mercury. A mercury-cell chlor-alkali plant was identified as the source of pollution. Surficial sediments in the vicinity of the plant, containing up to 0·99 μg Hg/g dry weight, were up to 157 times enriched in mercury relative to an unpolluted area. Mercury levels in the benthic organisms reflected the levels in the sediments. Maximal concentrations reaching 38·7 and 18·2 μg Hg/g dry weight were found in the carnivorous gastropod molluscs Arcularia circumcinta and Arcularia gibbosula, respectively. In all fish species, specimens caught in Haifa Bay had higher mercury concentrations in the muscle tissue than specimens caught south of the Bay. A maximal value of 1·66 μg Hg/g wet weight was recorded in Diplodus sargus.     

Hydrocarbons in the Surface Layer of Bottom Sediments in the Northwestern Caspian Sea

The paper presents research results on the concentrations and compositions of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the surface layer of bottom sediments in the Northwestern Caspian Sea (2014) and compares them to data for sediments of the Middle and Southern Caspian (2012–2013). The seepage of hydrocarbons out of the sediment mass, resulting in abnormally high concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons per dry weight (up to 468 μg/g), as well as within the C_org composition (up to 35.2%), is considered the main source of hydrocarbons in sediments in the surveyed area of the Northern Caspian. This is also confirmed by the absence of any correlation between the hydrocarbon and C_org distributions, as well as by the transformed oil composition of high-molecular alkanes. The distribution of markers within polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons points to a mixed genesis—petrogenic and pyrogenic—with prevalence of the latter. Unlike the shallow-water northern part of the Caspian Sea, the content and composition of hydrocarbons in deep-seated sediments are affected by facial conditions of sedimentation and by matter exchange at the water–bottom interface. Therefore, despite high C_org concentrations (up to 9.9%), sediments in deep-water depressions are characterized by a quite low concentration of aliphatic hydrocarbons (52 μg/g on average; 0.2% of C_org) with prevailing natural allochthonous alkanes.     

The composition and distribution of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons in nearshore sediments, river sediments, and coastal peat of the Alaskan Beaufort Sea: Implications for detecting anthropogenic hydrocarbon inputs

A 3-year program, to determine spatial and temporal trends in sediment concentrations of hydrocarbons and metals from oil and gas exploration and development activities, was conducted in the US Beaufort Sea. Concentrations of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from the Beaufort Sea were elevated in comparison to non-polluted shelf-sediments from other regions of the US coast. Potential natural sources for hydrocarbons that were examined included riverine sediments and coastal peat. Significant quantities of fossil hydrocarbons characterize the surface sediments from the entire region. Sediment inputs from river discharges appear to account for this observation. The use of source-diagnostic ratios has allowed the differentiation of various sources in an area with high naturally-occurring hydrocarbon concentrations where effects due to oil and gas exploration and development activities may be obscured.     

3,4-benzopyrene and perylene in mussels, Mytilus sp., from the Laguna Veneta,North-East Italy

From July, 1975 to November, 1976 mussels from the Laguna Veneta, north-east Italy, and the adjacent Adriatic Sea were collected bimonthly at ten stations and analysed for 3,4-benzopyrene (BaP) and perylene (Pe) content. Mean concentrations were in the range 12·0–135·1 μg/kg dry weight for BaP and 1·5–16·9 μg/kg for Pe, but values as high as 327 μg/kg for BaP and 71 μg/kg for Pe have been measured. The distribution of BaP and Pe closely matches previous results on petroleum hydrocarbon contamination in mussels from this area and indicates that the major portion of BaP and Pe in these bivalves is due principally to human activities.     

Evidence for the decoupling of dissolved, particulate and surface microlayer hydrocarbons in Northwestern Atlantic continental shelf waters

Detailed sampling of the water column and subsequent high-resolution gas chromatographic analyses of surface film, particulate and dissolved hydrocarbons from the Georges Bank region off the New England coast have revealed large spatial and temporal heterogeneity in the source of hydrocarbons. Dissolved hydrocarbons, largely of a petroleum-related origin, surface film hydrocarbon also of a petroleum-related origin but different from the dissolved fraction, and bulk-water particulate matter of a mixed biogenic and petrogenic origin are all decoupled with respect to source and quantity in the region.Surface film (microlayer) hydrocarbons are found in greater concentrations than the dissolved fraction, which in turn is greater than the particulate hydrocarbon quantities in the water column. Although the microlayer appears enriched in hydrocarbons relative to the bulk water, the nature of the hydrocarbons is quite different, indicating that the use of a microlayer enrichment factor may not be appropriate in these waters.     

Atmospheric transport and input of hydrocarbons to the subtropical North Atlantic

Seawater samples and airborne particulate material were collected in the subtropical North Atlantic during R.V. “Meteor” Cruise M60 (N34°47.2′W26°57.7′/N10°1.3′W32°58.3′). Hydrocarbon concentrations were estimated in the samples. For seawater the concentrations ranged from 0.2 μg to 3.5 μg dm⁻³. In the open ocean air the concentrations of the particulate hydrocarbon measured at 14m above sea level ranged from 2.8 ng to 133.1 ng m⁻³. A significant increase was observed during a Saharan dust outbreak. Comparison with aluminium concentrations in seawater and in the air suggests input of atmospheric hydrocarbons by dry deposition to be an important transportation pathway.     

Heavy metals,polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorine pesticides in the surface sediments of mangrove swamps from coastal sites along the Leizhou Peninsula, South China

Contents of heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons （PA Hs）, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes （DDTs） and hexachlorcy- clohexanes （HCHs） in surface sediments from mangrove areas of the Leizhou Peninsula were analyzed in July and November 2005. Risk assessment criteria applied by Long E R et al. （1995） and Long E D et al. （1995） （effects range low, ERL; effects range mean, ERM） of chemicals in sediments from the gulf or estuary were used to assess the potential ecological risks of heavy metals, PAHs, DDTs and HCHs to aquatic organisms in the studied area. The results indicated that the average contents of zinc, nickel, chromium, lead, copper, arsenic and mercury were （61.97 ± 55.87）, （59.99 ± 39.01 ）, （47.93 ± 28.37）, （26.64± 13.00） , （23.45 ± 41.96）, （9.32 ± 3.62）, （0.14 ± 0.18） mg/kg in dry weight in the sediment samples col- lected from five studied sites in the Leizhou Peninsula, respectively. Cadmium was not calculated due to its content being below the detection limit （ 〈 0.3 mg,/kg）. The average levels of Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Hg exceed their background values. The average contents of Ni were higher than ERM. The contents of PAHs in the sediments from the five studied sites were （79.78 ± 43.70） ng/g in dry weight, far lower than ERL（4 022 ng/g）. The contents of DDE, DDD and DDTs in the sediments from five studied sites were （2.60 ± 4.68）, （ 17.52 ± 27.25 ）, （27.78 ± 46.64） ng/g in dry weight respectively, clearly higher than ERL, and the average contents of DDT were （7.66 ± 15.93） ng/g in dry weight, much higher than ERM. HCHs could be detected in the sediments only from Gaoqiao sampling site, with the average contents （0.07 ± 0.08） ng/g in dry weight.     

A chemical investigation of the transport and fate of petroleum hydrocarbons in littoral and benthic environments: The TSESIS oil spill

The fate of saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons discharged into the coastal Baltic Sea environment from the TSESIS oil spill has been studied in the acute and postacute (one year) phases of the spill. Periodic samples of Mytilus edulis (mussels) from eight littoral zone stations and Macoma balthica from nine soft bottom stations were obtained as well as sediment trap samples and surface sediment samples. Glass capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatographic mass spectrometry were used as the analytical tools to determine saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon composition and concentrations in these samples.Sediment trap samples indicated that sizable quantities of chemically and microbially weathered oil were sedimented, and available for benthic uptake shortly after the spill. After initial uptake of sedimented oil (500 to 1000 μ/g dry weight), Macoma populations appear to have begun slow depuration through the first winter after the spill, but TSESIS oil was again introduced to the benthic stations studied during the following summer. Mytilus populations in the region were severely impacted by the oil. Initial depuration of spilled oil during the first month was rapid and nearly complete at all but the most heavily impacted stations one year after the spill. The post-spill depuration of assimilated hydrocarbons was characterised by a relative retention of alkylated dibenzothiophenes and alkylated phenanthrenes compared to their unsubstituted parent compounds and compared with the entire homologous naphthalene series.These data suggest that petroleum hydrocarbons from the TSESIS spill have become a chronic source of degraded saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons to the soft bottom benthic communities. Petroleum hydrocarbons in the benthic environment from this spill appear to reside in the difficulty sampled and mobile flucculent layer at the sediment/water interface and may affect epifaunal communities for an extended period of time.     

Persistence of oiling in mussel beds after the Exxon Valdez oil spill

Persistence and weathering of Exxon Valdez oil in intertidal mussel (Mytilus trossulus) beds in Prince William Sound (PWS) and along the Gulf of Alaska was monitored from 1992 to 1995. Beds with significant contamination included most previously oiled areas in PWS, particularly within the Knight Island group and the Kenai Peninsula. In sediments, yearly mean concentrations of total petroleum hydrocarbons ranged from < 60 micrograms/g in reference beds to 62,258 micrograms/g wet wt., or approximately 0 to 523 micrograms/g dry wt. total polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (TPAHs). In mussels, mean TPAH concentrations ranged up to 8.1 micrograms/g dry wt. Hydrocarbon concentrations declined significantly with time in some, but not all mussels and sediments, and should reach background levels within three decades of the spill in most beds. In 1995, mean hydrocarbon concentration was greater than twice background concentration in sediments from 27 of 34 sites, and in mussels from 18 of 31 sites.     

Chemical and biological assessment of two offshore drilling sites in the Alaskan Arctic

A retrospective chemical and biological study was carried out in Camden Bay, Alaskan Beaufort Sea, where single exploratory oil wells were drilled at two sites more than two decades ago. Barium from discharged drilling mud was present in sediments at concentrations as high as 14%, ∼200 times above background, with significantly higher concentrations of Ba, but not other metals, within 250 m of the drilling site versus reference stations. Elevated concentrations of Cr, Cu, Hg and Pb were found only at two stations within 25 m of one drilling site. Concentrations of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (TPAH) were not significantly different at reference versus drilling-site stations; however, TPAH were elevated in Ba-rich layers from naturally occurring perylene in ancient formation cuttings. Infaunal biomass and species abundance were not significantly different at reference versus drilling-site stations; infauna were less diverse at drilling-site stations. Our assessment showed that discharges from single wells within large areas caused minimal long-term, adverse impacts to the benthic ecosystem.     

Simultaneous exposure of English sole (Parophrys vetulus) to sediment-associated xenobiotics: Part 2—chronic exposure to an urban estuarine sediment with added 3H-benzo[a]pyrene and 14C-polychlorinated biphenyls

• 1.1. The accumulation of aromatic hydrocarbons (AHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) kv English sole (Parophrys vetulus) exposed for up to 108 days to an urban (test) sediment was compared to that for English sole exposed to sediment from a reference area. The concentrations of identified AHs and PCBs in the test sediment were 32 μg/g dry weight and 2·2 μg/g dry weight, respectively. English sole exposed to test and reference sediments for 108 days had biliary concentrations of aromatic compounds fluorescing at BaP wavelengths of 0·6 μg/g, wet weight and hepatic concentrations of PCBs of 1·4 ± 0·6 μg/g wet weight which were ten and eight times, respectively, as great as those in reference sole. These results show that accumulation of AHs and PCBs from sediment by English sole is a significant route of uptake in contaminated environments.
• 2.2. ³H-benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and ¹⁴C-PCBs were added to the test sediment to compare the uptake and metabolism of BaP to that of PCBs by sole. Steady-state concentrations of ³H-BaP and ¹⁴C-PCBs in tissues and fluids were reached by 4 days and 14 days, respectively. At steady state, the level of covalent binding of ³H-BaP to hepatic proteins in test sole was six times greater than that of ¹⁴C-PCBs, and there was significantly greater relative formation of BaP-glutathione (GSH) conjugates than PCB-GSH conjugates. Thus, the amount of BaP metabolized to reactive metabolites was greater than that for PCBs, even though the concentration of ¹⁴C-PCBs in liver of test sole was five times as great as that of ³H-BaP.
• 3.3. Trace amounts of ³H-BaP were also added to the reference sediment to determine how simultaneous exposure of English sole to those contaminants already present in the test sediment affected the metabolism and disposition of BaP. The ³H-BaP concentration ratios for liver to sediment and bile to sediment, as well as proportions of biliary BaP-GSH conjugates in test sole, were significantly greater than in reference sole. Thus, the formation and accumulation of potentially toxic metabolites of a carcinogenic AH (BaP) in sole liver were increased by simultaneous exposure to contaminants present in an urban sediment.

     

Trace metals and hydrocarbons in sediments from the Southampton water region,with particular reference to the influence of oil refinery effluent

The concentrations of a number of trace metals (Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ag, Cd and Hg) have been determined in sediments from cores collected in the Southampton Water region. Measurements of total hydrocarbons were also made on several of the cores. Markedly elevated concentrations of copper, up to 362 μg/g dry wt, were found in sediments which were collected close to the discharge points of oil refinery outfalls and which also showed concentrations of total hydrocarbons considerably greater than the background levels for the estuary. The results of selective chemical extractions showed that much of the copper was present in the non-lattice fraction of the sediment. Although the concentrations of Co, Ni, Zn and Cd were significantly correlated with those of copper in the core showing the highest concentrations of this element, these metals were not enhanced in comparison with the levels found in several other parts of the estuary. Variations in concentrations of metals in sediments throughout the estuary were not correlated with differences in organic carbon content.     

东海表层水体中的多环芳烃及其沉积通量估算

以东海陆架水体中溶解态多环芳烃(PAHs)含量为基础,引入颗粒相-水相间的物质吸附系数(Koc)计算悬浮颗粒物中PAHs有机碳归一化含量,结合陆架沉积物有机碳的年埋藏通量,估算东海陆架沉积物中PAHs沉积通量。结果显示:水体中溶解态的15种PAHs总含量为(701±392)ng/L,变化范围为412~1 032ng/L,PAHs组成以3环为主。计算得到的悬浮颗粒物中15种PAHs有机碳归一化含量为20~28μg/g,对应的PAHs沉积通量为150~210t/a。估算结果与实测沉积物中PAHs含量和沉积通量结果基本吻合,表明实验室模拟实验获取的化合物Koc值适用于东海颗粒相-水相间的分配模型,证实悬浮颗粒物有机碳含量在控制PAHs两相分布过程中起着重要作用。同时,该方法为海洋沉积物中PAHs沉积通量的估算提供一种新途径。     

A comparison of the levels of hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase in fish caught close to and distant from north sea oil fields

Large-scale use of oil-based muds for drilling operations offshore can lead to high concentrations of aromatic hydrocarbons in the sediments close to these platforms. Fish were trawled from stations close to and distant from such platforms and the levels of hepatic aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) were determined in cod, haddock and whiting. These three species were caught in sufficient numbers to make reasonable preliminary data sets. The data for cod and haddock showed significantly higher levels of AHH in the livers of fish caught close to oil platforms than in those caught in areas away from oil activity, while whiting showed no such differences. A much larger sample number together with some measurement of enhanced cytochrome P-450 levels would be required to substantiate this trend, but these data are the first indications that the oil in the sediments around platforms may be biochemically available to fish in the area.     

Hydrocarbon pollution from marinas in estuarine sediments

A measure of the impact of marinas on three Eastern Virginia estuarine creeks was obtained by a study of hydrocarbons in their sediments. Two of the creeks support considerable marine activity, including pleasure boat marinas, boat repair facilities, and commercial fishing operations. The third creek, which served as a control, is seldom used by boats, and is surrounded by marsh and woodland.Sediments from the creeks with marinas contained significantly higher levels of both aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons than did the control. Differences in the concentrations of certain oil-pollution indicators, such as the 17α,21β-hopane homologs and phytane, and low molecular weight aromatic hydrocarbons, are indicative of light petroleum fractions. Most of the aromatic hydrocarbons from all creeks, however, appear to have a pyrogenic origin.Although hydrocarbons from three probable origins (petroleum, pyrogenesis, and recent biosynthesis) were detected in all locations, the petroleum-derived and pyrogenic hydrocarbons were of only minor importance relative to the biogenic hydrocarbons in the control creek.     

Chlorinated hydrocarbons in the seawater and surface sediments of Blanca Bay,Argentina

In order to characterize our study area and to provide reference values to be used in the future to measure the changes produced by an increase in contamination, the concentrations of chlorinated hydrocarbons have been investigated in fifty-one samples of seawater, taken at four different depths: air-sea interface, surface, one metre and bottom waters, and in twenty-three samples of surface sediments from Blanca Bay, Argentina. Of eleven organochlorine compounds we were looking for (α BHC, lindane, heptachlor, δ BHC. aldrin, heptachlor epoxide, dieldrin, o-p′DDD, p-p′DDD, o-p′DDT and p-p′DDT), seven could be detected in seawater and three in surface sediments with the following mean concentrations: α-BHC=48·2 ng l^?1; lindane=54·2 ng l^?1; heptachlor=45·0 ng l^?1; δ BHC=12·5 ng l^?1; aldrin=61·8 ng l^?1 and ΣDDT=67·0 ng l^?1; and δ BHC=3·2 ng g^?1; lindane=4·2 ng g^?1 and heptachlor=1·0 ng g^?1 for seawater, regarding the surface waters, and sediment samples, respectively.Concentration factors among the different water layers were also studied to see if there was any correlation between chlorinated hydrocarbon contents and the water depths from which the samples were taken. As a mean value, the air-sea interface water contains 18 times more of these compounds than that of the water near the bottom. A comparison of the values corresponding to seawater and surface sediments from our study area with those levels measured in samples from other geographic locations is also presented.With the purpose to detect a relationship between chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations and the contents of particulate matter (PM) on the one hand, and particulate organic material (POM) on the other hand, four groups of samples containing different amounts of PM and POM, respectively were formed. From a comparison of the results obtained, lindane, heptachlor and δ BHC showed a tendency to lower concentrations in those samples containing little PM whereas α BHC and aldrin remained without important changes. No significant correlation was found between organochlorine levels and contents of POM.     

南大西洋沉积物中多环芳香化合物的组成特征研究

10 samples of sediments obtained from the South Mid-Atlantic Ridge were measured for the abundances and distributions of polycyclic aromatic compounds(PAHs). The total concentrations of PAHs(∑PAHs) ranged from 2.768 to 9.826 μg/g dry sediment. The ∑PAHs was higher in sample 22V-TVG10 and sample 26V-TVG05 which were close to hydrothermal fields, with the lowest value in sample 22V-TVG14 which was farthest from hydrothermal fields, suggesting a probable hydrothermal origin of ∑PAHs of samples. Approximately nine kinds of PAHs were identified, and low molecular mass tricyclic and tetracyclic aromatic compounds were predominant in the samples. The concentrations of fluoranthene which were typical as hydrothermal alteration compounds were the highest among PAHs with dry weight between 0.913–3.157 μg/g. The phenanthrene homologue was most abundant in the samples, and the ratios between parent phenanthrene and methylphenanthrene which probably reflected the degree of hydrothermal alteration ranged from 0.097 to 1.602. The sample 22V-TVG10 possessing a maximum ratio value showed the intense influence of the hydrothermal alteration on this sample, which might further imply that PAHs in sediments were mainly derived from the hydrothermal alteration.