Evaluation of Organic Contamination in Sediments from Potter Cove, King George Island, Antarctica, Using Molecular Markers (original) (raw)
2015, INCT-APA Annual Activity Report
Potter Cove (62°14'S, 58°39'W) is a small fjord on the southwest coast of King George Island, South Shetland Islands, and where the Argentine Carlini station is located. In order to evaluate a possible input of oil and/or sewage, related to anthropogenic activities, 12 sediment samples were collected to analyze different organic markers: aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, and fecal sterols. The concentrations of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were lower in comparison to marine sediments contaminated by oil hydrocarbons, indicating natural sources and little contribution from petrogenic and combustion sources of these compounds. The concentrations of sewage molecular markers were lower than levels found in contaminated areas and other Antarctic places. Despite the detection of organic compounds related to human activities, these results showed that the Potter Cove region may be considered less impacted by oil hydrocarbons and sewage input.
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