This investigation was made to assess the seasonal accumulation pattern of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in sediments along the two major ports such as Ennore and Tuticorin, located in Southeast coast of India. The level of TPH was found to vary from 2.05µg g − 1 to 17.47 µg g − 1 . To establish the relationship among the TPH with total organic carbon (TOC) and sediment components, the techniques of correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used. The higher accumulation of TPH during monsoon season indicates that all wastes discharged on land was washed and got deposited on the Ennore coast. The signi cant positive correlation with TOC was noticed and the evidences indicated that the sedimentary organic carbon is acting as a strong binding agent for TPH.

This investigation was made to assess the seasonal accumulation pattern of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in sediments along the two major ports such as Ennore and Tuticorin, located in Southeast coast of India. The level of TPH was found to vary from 2.05µg g− 1to 17.47 µg g− 1. To establish the relationship among the TPH with total organic carbon (TOC) and sediment components, the techniques of correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were used. The higher accumulation of TPH during monsoon season indicates that all wastes discharged on land was washed and got deposited on the Ennore coast. The significant positive correlation with TOC was noticed and the evidences indicated that the sedimentary organic carbon is acting as a strong binding agent for TPH.