Hydrocarbons in the sediments of the Bermuda region lagoonal to abyssal depths

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1980 · Adv. Chem. Ser.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6336675

Sletter, T D; Butler, J N; Barbash, J E

Gas chromatographic analyses of the pentane fraction derived from surface sediments collected from 20 stations (50 cores) around Bermuda from the subtidal zone to 40 m depth and one deep-water sediment sample from 1400 m depth showed that outside the protective boiler reef, the total aliphatic (pentane-extractable) hydrocarbon content was less than inside the reef (3-10 jg/g dry weight outside vs. 10-65 jg/g inside). Samples from the 1400 m depth showed < 1.0 jg/g aliphatic hydrocarbon content. The chromatograms from the shipping channels showed fresh petroleum source concentrations of 8-31 jg/g; harbors yielded chromatograms typical of chronic petroleum contamination, with 30-110 jg/g concentrations. Several biogenic compounds (including C15 and C17 n-alkanes and most probably derived from marine algae) were observed, in addition to the petroleum-derived hydrocarbons. The criteria adopted for distinguishing biogenic and petroleum hydrocarbons are given.

• Research Organization: Harvard University, Boston, MA
• OSTI ID: 6336675
• Report Number(s): CONF-780902-; TRN: 86-004446
• Journal Information: Adv. Chem. Ser.; (United States), Vol. 185; Conference: American Chemical Society meeting, Miami, FL, USA, 10 Sep 1978
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
02 PETROLEUM
HYDROCARBONS
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SEDIMENTS
CONTAMINATION
SAMPLING
ALKANES
BIOLOGICAL PATHWAYS
ECOSYSTEMS
ENVIRONMENT
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
LEVELS
PENTANE
PETROLEUM
SEA BED
CHROMATOGRAPHY
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
520200* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport- (-1989)
510200 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport- (-1989)
020900 - Petroleum- Environmental Aspects