Pollution source evaluation using petroleum and aliphatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments from two Brazilian estuarine systems

Maioli, Otávio Luiz Gusso; Rodrigues, Kamila C.; Knoppers, Bastiaan A.; Azevedo, Débora A.

doi:10.1016/j.orggeochem.2010.03.013

Cited by 35 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The data from St #3 is, however, presented in this study for characterization purpose only. The concentrations reported for the sediments sampled before the oil spill are low when compared to samples from polluted urbanized areas, and are similar to those registered in some unpolluted sediments (VOLKMAN et al, 1992;SNEADAKER et al, 1995;MAIOLI et al, 2010). In addition, the total n-alkane concentrations in this period were similar to those reported in a study conducted in the surrounding area (ZANARDI et al, 1999a).…”

Section: Statistical Resultssupporting

confidence: 81%

The fate of an oil spill in São Sebastião channel: a case study

2013

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and 2 700 tons of crude oil leaked into the São Sebastião Channel, affecting several neighboring areas. A program for the monitoring of hydrocarbons in sediments, using the gas chromatography / flame ionization detector methodology, was being undertaken in the area at the time. The data obtained were compared to those of samples collected after the accident to determine the fate of the oil spilled and ascertain its contribution to the environment. The earlier results showed that hydrocarbons were introduced from two different sources: biogenic, mainly from terrestrial plants, and anthropogenic, as oil, in sewage and from shipping. The later data indicated that the site closest to the pipeline rupture had been the most affected. Following that, two stations located at the north entrance of the channel presented the highest n-alkane concentrations, suggesting that the northeasterly wind-driven currents had carried the oil northward. Seven months later, one of these stations, a high-energy site, showed some signs of recovery, but this process was not observed at the other, which seemed to be a low-energy site. In conclusion, the data showed that the aliphatic hydrocarbon analyses were powerful tools for the assessment of the fate of the oil spill and that the northern part of the São Sebastião Channel is more subject to the effects of oil spills. R E S U M OA ruptura de um oleoduto em maio de 1994 introduziu 2.700 tons de óleo cru no Canal de São Sebastião, contaminando algumas áreas. Na ocasião um monitoramento de hidrocarbonetos em sedimentos estava sendo realizado na região, utilizando o método de cromatografia em fase gasosa/ detecção por ionização de chama. Os dados obtidos nesse monitoramento foram comparados aos resultados das amostras coletadas logo após o acidente, com o objetivo de verificar a extensão da contaminação por óleo e os lugares mais atingidos. Os dados prévios mostraram duas fontes de introdução de hidrocarbonetos: biogênica, com predomínio de plantas superiores, e antrópica, causada por atividades náuticas e esgotos. Os dados posteriores mostraram que a estação de coleta mais próxima ao oleoduto foi a mais atingida. Na sequencia, as duas estações localizadas na entrada norte do canal apresentaram as maiores concentrações de n-alcanos, sugerindo que as correntes NE, impulsionadas pelo vento, transportaram o óleo no sentido norte do canal. Sete meses depois uma destas estações, aquela situada em local de alta energia, mostrou sinais de recuperação, o que, contudo, não foi observado na outra, considerada de ambiente deposicional. Em conclusão, pode-se afirmar que análises de hidrocarbonetos são ferramentas poderosas para avaliar o destino de um óleo e que a parte norte do Canal de São Sebastião tem maior probabilidade de ser afetada na ocasião de um derrame de óleo.

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Section: Statistical Resultssupporting

confidence: 81%

The fate of an oil spill in São Sebastião channel: a case study

2013

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“…A comparison of the datasets revealed that the PAH concentrations in the Itajaí-Açu estuarine system are higher than those reported for the Persian Gulf, 50 Patos Lagoon, 51 Capibaribe estuarine system 52 , 54 Kaohsiung harbor, where the ship traffic is intense (472-16201 ng g -1 ), 55 Fortaleza, northeast Brazil, with anthropogenic impacts coming from local harbor, industries and a petroleum refinery (3.0-2234.7 ng g -1 ) 56 and Santos estuary, southeastern Brazil, an area with increased urbanization and industrialization (60-8680 ng g -1 ). 57 The processes controlling sediment PAH concentrations are complex.…”

Section: Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbonsmentioning

confidence: 74%

Distribution and Sources of Aliphatic and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Sediments of Itajaí-Açu Estuarine System in Brazil

Frena¹,

Bataglion²,

Sandini³

et al. 2016

J. Braz. Chem. Soc.

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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.Keywords: aliphatic hydrocarbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, biomarker, hopane, contamination IntroductionContamination levels in coastal environments are increasing mainly due to the presence of anthropogenic activities, as waste industrial discharges, industrial activities, navigation traffic, etc.1 Therefore, sediment contamination in such areas may occur. In several countries, port activities are rapidly developing, requiring greater attention, especially in relation to the dredging of contaminated sediments and environmental management. 2,3The Itajaí-Açu estuarine system is located on the north-central coast of Santa Catarina state, in Brazil. This is an area of economic interest not only because of tourism, but also due to the presence of the Port of Itajaí, which is considered the third largest container handling port in Brazil, the major international trading point of the state, and the largest national fishing pole landing site. Associated with this latter activity, several fish processing industries are installed along the margins of this estuary, mainly in the city of Itajaí. These industries dispose their waste products, usually without any treatment, directly into the estuary. [4][5][6][7] In addition, the harbor area is constantly dredged, in order to maintain the navigation channel at an elevation of 11 meters. In May 2011, dredging began to deepen the main river channel, aiming to increase the depth from 11 to 14 meters, allowing the entrance of larger ships. Sediment dredging can cause remobilization of the pollutants accumulated in this compartment over time. 6 O r g a n i c c o m p o u n d s s u c h a s a l i p h a t i c hydrocarbons (AHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (P...

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“…The isotopic profiles obtained from 32.5 to 42.0 cm down the core showed a zig-zag pattern for the heavier n-alkanes, Fig. 5a, which is a characteristic of the mixture of biogenic and petrogenic materials (Maioli et al, 2010). This result must be due to the start of oil field productions in TSB.…”

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confidence: 91%