Ecological risk assessment of sedimentary hydrocarbons in a subtropical estuary as tools to select priority areas for environmental management (original) (raw)
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Natural and anthropogenic hydrocarbon inputs to sediments of Patos Lagoon Estuary, Brazil
Environment International, 2005
The Patos Lagoon Estuary, southern Brazil, is an area of environmental interest not only because of tourism, but also because of the presence of the second major port of Brazil, with the related industrial and shipping activities. Thus, potential hydrocarbon pollution was examined in this study. Sediment samples were collected at 10 sites in the estuary, extracted, and analyzed by GC-FID and GC-MS for composition and concentration of the following organic geochemical markers: normal and isoprenoid alkanes, petroleum biomarkers, linear alkylbenzenes (LABs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The total concentrations varied from 1.1 to 129.6 Ag g À1 for aliphatic hydrocarbons, from 17.8 to 4510.6 ng g À1 for petroleum biomarkers, from 3.2 to 1601.9 ng g À1 for LABs, and from 37.7 to 11,779.9 ng g À1 for PAHs. Natural hydrocarbons were mainly derived from planktonic inputs due to a usual development of blooms in the estuary. Terrestrial plant wax compounds prevailed at sites located far from Rio Grande City and subject to stronger currents. Anthropogenic hydrocarbons are related to combustion/pyrolysis processes of fossil fuel, release of unburned oil products and domestic/industrial waste outfalls. Anthropogenic hydrocarbon inputs were more apparent at sites associated with industrial discharges (petroleum distributor and refinery), shipping activities (dry docking), and sewage outfalls (sewage). The overall concentrations of anthropogenic hydrocarbons revealed moderate to high hydrocarbon pollution in the study area. D
Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2011
Located in southeastern Brazil, the Santos Estuary has the most important industrial and urban population area of South America. Since the 1950's, increased urbanization and industrialization near the estuary margins has caused the degradation of mangroves and has increased the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents. The main objectives of this work were to determine the concentrations and sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment cores in order to investigate the input of these substances in the last 50 years. The PAHs analyses indicated multiple sources of these compounds (oil and pyrolitic origin), basically anthropogenic contributions from biomass, coal and fossil fuels combustion. The distribution of PAHs in the cores was associated with the formation and development of Cubatão industrial complex and the Santos harbour, waste disposal, world oil crisis and the pollution control program, which results in the decrease of organic pollutants input in this area.
This paper presents a study of the historical record from organic contamination in two areas (Mangueira Bay (SM) and Arraial Bay (SA)) under the impact of various anthropogenic sources (e.g. pyrolytic and petrogenic) in Patos Lagoon Estuary. Aliphatic hydrocarbons (AH) and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were determined by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/FID) and gas chromatography with mass detection (GC/MS), respectively. Geochemical indexes, pre-established in the literature, were used to diagnose the human impact. Overall, in Mangueira Bay, individual distribution and AH indexes suggested a preferential contribution of petrogenic source of hydrocarbons for the last 60 years, AH little or no prevailing in the odd/even ratio also pointed to an introduction of oil. However, it was also found high concentrations of PAH with 4-6 rings, suggesting the input of pyrolytic sources. The concentration levels reached values of 284.63μg.g-1 and 780.05ng.g-1, for AH and PAH respectively, telling high contamination. In the drill core from Arraial Bay, total aliphatic concentrations were below 69.98μg.g-1, reaching values less than 10μg.g-1, suggesting a place free of anthropogenic contamination and with large biogenic contribution. PAH concentrations for Arraial Bay were also low, reaching values of 55.09ng.g-1 or less, with greater contribution of pyrolytics sources. We conclude that in the estuarine region of Patos Lagoon coexist urban, port and industrial activities. Therefore, it was observed the presence of anthropogenic contributions, directly associated with the proximity of potential sources (urban pollution, petrogenic and pyrolytic), considered to have higher concentrations in Mangueira Bay region.
Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 2016
The Paranaguá Estuarine Complex (PEC) is an important socioeconomic estuary of the Brazilian coast that is influenced by the input of pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Because of the apparent lack of comparative studies involving PAHs in different estuarine compartments, the aim of this study was to determine and compare PAH concentrations in surface sediment and suspended particulate material (SPM) in the PEC to evaluate their behaviour, compositions, sources and spatial distributions. The total PAH concentrations in the sediment ranged from 0.6 to 63.8 ng g(-1) (dry weight), whereas in the SPM these concentrations ranged from 391 to 4164 ng g(-1). Diagnostic ratios suggest distinct sources of PAHs to sediments (i.e., pyrolytic sources) and SPM (i.e., petrogenic sources such as vessel traffic). Thus, the recent introduction of PAHs is more clearly indicated in the SPM since oil related-compounds (e.g., alkyl-PAHs) remain present in similar concentrations. Fur...
Marine pollution bulletin, 2016
Estuaries generally act as sediment traps and may retain a range of contaminants associated to this matrix. Aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs) were investigated in Capibaribe Estuarine System and adjacent shelf, Northeast of Brazil, to evaluate the contamination and to better understand its functionality related to the coast. Fourteen sediment samples were analyzed, using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Total AHs concentrations ranged from 7.5 to 190.3μgg(-1) and n-alkanes ranged from below detection limit (<DL) to 9.47μgg(-1). The highest concentrations were in the upper portion of the estuary, which receives domestic and industrial effluents. The observed UCM and other geochemical markers, indicated contamination by petroleum hydrocarbons. The concentration decrease (about 90%) towards the adjacent shelf suggested an estuarine high retention capacity but dilution and degradation processes cannot be neglected. Similar AHs characteristics reported in sediments from ...
Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society, 2016
The Itajaí-Açu estuarine system, located in southern Brazil, has great economic importance due to the presence of two ports (Itajaí and Navegantes). This system is affected by industrial and dredging activities, which can cause the remobilization of pollutants accumulated over time in the sediment. In this context, hydrocarbons were assessed in twelve surface sediment samples. n-Alkane and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) concentrations were determined by gas chromatography and their sources assessed. Total concentrations ranged between 0.50 ± 0.04 and 69.70 ± 3.90 µg g-1 dry weight (d.w.) for n-alkanes and from 63.9 ± 12.1 to 1459.0 ± 43.5 ng g-1 d.w. for PAH. Most of the sediment samples presented carbon preference index (CPI) values close to unity, indicating that the area is submitted to petroleum-related sources, mainly close to Itajaí harbor, where an intense unresolved complex mixture (UCM) was observed. The presence at all stations of aβ-hopane biomarkers also indicated petrogenic input. Based on selected PAH ratios, the sedimentary PAH composition reflects a mixture of both petrogenic and pyrolytic sources. A comparison of the PAH concentrations found in this study with those listed in the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) indicated that adverse biological effects on the biota are rarely expected.
Environmental Science & Technology, 2006
Settling particles and bottom sediments collected at 1, 2.5, and 4 km off the metropolitan Buenos Aires coast in the Río de la Plata were analyzed to evaluate the sources and toxicity of resolved (PAHs) and unresolved (AROUCM) aromatic hydrocarbons. PAHs (0003-2.1 µg g-1) and AROUCM (0.01-78 µg g-1) presented the highest concentrations near the Buenos Aires port and sewer and decreasing values up-and downstream and along on-and offshore gradients. Sediment traps deployed in the Central area revealed large aromatic fluxes (1.3 (1.5 and 31 (47 mg m-2 day-1 for PAHs and AROUCM). The composition of sedimentary PAHs was dominated by uniformly distributed high molecular weight pyrogenic PAHs (53 (11% fluoranthene, pyrene, and heavier PAHs), followed by diagenetically derived perylene more abundant in less polluted sites (29 (15%) and lower molecular weight petrogenic PAHs (18 (7.1% phenanthrene, anthracene, and methylated compounds), which covaried inversely with perylene. PAH diagnostic ratios indicated a stronger influence of petrogenic discharges close to the shore and the prevalence of combustion of fossil fuels and vehicle emissions over wood in offshore sediments. Sediment cores showed sustained hydrocarbon levels with decreasing proportion of petrogenic PAHs and relative enrichment of pyrogenic components and perylene down to 20-cm depth. PAH toxicity assessment by sediment quality guidelines (SQG) and dioxinequivalent factors (PAH TEQ: 0.08-395 pg g-1 dw) identified 1-2.5 km sediments close to the port and sewer as the most affected area. According to SQG, dibenz[a,h]anthracene and pyrene were the most critical PAHs, followed by benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, and chrysene. In contrast, PAH TEQs were dominated by indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, perylene, and benz[a]anthracene which accounted for an average 86 (5.7% of total TEQs.
Journal of Coastal Research, 2012
FONTANA, L.F.; CRAPEZ, M.A.C.; FIGUEIREDO, JR., A.G.; SANTOS, E.S.; DA SILVA, F.S.; RIBEIRO, A.M.; DA ROCHA, C.C.M., and PEREIRA NETTO, A.D., 2012. Characterization and distribution of PAHS in sediments from Suruí Mangrove, Guanabara Bay, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Journal of Coastal Research, 28(1A), 156-162. West Palm Beach (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.
The Laguna de Terminos Flora and Fauna Protection Area is at the southern extreme of the Gulf of Mexico in the state of Campeche, Mexico. Its immense lagoon and mangrove habitats provide important refuge for marine, bird and mammal species. Anthropogenic activities (petroleum industry, fisheries and urban) constantly threaten the ecosystem. Aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) were determined in mangrove and coastal sediments in the Protection Area. The principal hydrocarbon sources were identified using specific PAH (fluoranthene/ fluoranthene + pyrene) rates, and concentrations compared to limits established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for priority contaminants in surface sediment. Sediment samples were collected near the area?s three main human settlements (Isla del Carmen, Isla Aguada and Sabancuy). Aliphatic hydrocarbon levels did not reach contaminating levels and were highest near urban zones and mangrove forest areas. Based on molecular weights, pyrolytic-origin PAHs were most frequent at Sabancuy (38.80%), followed by Isla del Carmen (21.49%) and Isla Aguada (11.21%). Petrogenic-origin PAHs were most frequent at Sabancuy (61.71%), followed by Isla del Carmen (42.78%) and Isla Aguada (33.34%). The fluoranthene / fluoranthene + pyrene index value for Sabancuy (>0.5) suggested that sediment hydrocarbon concentrations primarily came from combustion of grasslands, forest and charcoal. At Isla Aguada, sediment hydrocarbons came from a combination of fossil fuel and grassland combustion. The very low value (<0.4) at Isla del Carmen suggests heavy contributions from oil and petroleum derivative spills. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were detected in mangrove and coastal sediments within the Protection Area, but concentrations were below levels defined as contaminated.
Regular (non-alkylated) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their alkylated homologues were determined in sediments from Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon using gas chromatography with mass selective detector (GC-MSD). Concentrations varying from 405 to 11734 ng•g −1 were found for total PAHs (regular and alkylated homologues). The study showed a pyrogenic and petrogenic contribution, probably due to the incomplete burning of fossil fuels as a result of the intense traffic of boats and motor vehicles added to the anthropogenic activity of several gas stations present in the region of Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Sediment Quality Guide, PAHs concentration should not exceed 4000 ng•g −1 (Long et al., 1995) The obtained data present values above the NOAA limit for some sampling points indicating chronic contamination of those sites probably due to anthropogenic activities related to petroleum and its derivatives.