title: Multi-molecular markers and metals as tracers of organic matter inputs and contamination status from an Environmental Protection Area in the SW Atlantic (Laranjeiras Bay, Brazil).
abstract: The sources and concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), faecal and biogenic sterols, and trace metals at 10 sampling sites located in Laranjeiras Bay, a large Environmental Protection Area in the southern Atlantic region of Brazil, were determined to assess the sources of organic matter and the contamination status of estuarine sediments. Organic compounds were determined by GC-FID and GC-MS, and ICP-OES was used to evaluate trace metals. The total AHs concentration ranged from 0.28 to 8.19 μg g(-1), and n-C(29) and n-C(31) alkanes were predominant, indicating significant inputs from higher terrestrial plants. Unresolved complex mixtures (UCM) were not detected at any site, suggesting that the study area was not significantly contaminated by fossil fuels. The total PAH concentration varied from 3.85 to 89.2 ng g(-1). The ratio between selected PAH isomers showed that combustion of biomass, coal, and petroleum is the main source of PAHs in the study area. The concentrations of the faecal sterols coprostanol and epicoprostanol were below the detection limits, suggesting that sewage was not a significant contributor to sedimentary organic matter. The concentrations of the trace metals (As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) were low, except near sites located at the mouths of rivers that discharge into the study area and near urbanised regions (Paranaguá city and the adjoining harbour). In general, the concentrations of PAHs were below the threshold effect concentrations (TEL) levels. Although the As, Cr and Ni concentrations were above the TEL levels, the study area can be considered as preserved from human activities.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Estudos do Mar da Universidade Federal do Paraná - Caixa Postal 61, 83255-976, Pontal do Paraná, PR, Brazil. ccmart@ufpr.br
authors.forename: César C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Martins
authors.forename: Marcia C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Bícego
authors.forename: Rubens C L
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Figueira
authors.forename: José Lourenço F
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Angelli
authors.forename: Tatiane
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Combi
authors.forename: Wellington C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Gallice
authors.forename: Andressa V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Mansur
authors.forename: Emanoela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nardes
authors.forename: Marília L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Rocha
authors.forename: Edna
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wisnieski
authors.forename: Liziane M M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ceschim
authors.forename: Andreza P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
mesh_terms: D000473:Alkanes / Q000032:analysis; D061006:Bays; D001938:Brazil; D004875:Ergosterol / Q000032:analysis; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000032:analysis; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012855:Sitosterols; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C025473:gamma-sitosterol; D004875:Ergosterol