Distribution of aliphatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and organochlorinated pollutants in deep-sea sediments of the Southern Cretan margin, Eastern Mediterranean Sea: a baseline assessment.
Deep sediments from the southern Cretan margin were analyzed to establish baseline levels for various types of organic pollutants before the anticipated intensification of anthropogenic activities. The total concentration of aliphatic hydrocarbons (ΣAH:326-3758ngg(-1), dry weight) was similar to those reported for deep sediments of the western Mediterranean Sea, while considerably lower levels were measured for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ΣPAH:9-60ngg(-1)). Source-diagnostic ratios suggested that the aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediments were mainly of terrestrial biogenic origin, while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons stemmed from the deposition of long-range transported combustion aerosols. Among the organochlorinated compounds analyzed, β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH:222-7052pgg(-1)), 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (p,p'-DDT:37-2236pgg(-1)) and polychlorinated biphenyls (ΣPCB:38-1182pgg(-1)) showed the highest abundance in sediments. The presence of HCHs and PCBs was attributed to historical inputs that have undergone extensive weathering, whereas an ongoing fresh input was suggested for p,p'-DDT. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the levels of the various pollutants in sediments were controlled by different factors, but with organic carbon content playing a prominent role in most cases.
Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Gournes Pediados, P.O. Box 2214, GR-71003 Heraklion, Greece. Electronic address: mandalakis@hcmr.gr.
Manolis
M
Mandalakis
Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Gournes Pediados, P.O. Box 2214, GR-71003 Heraklion, Greece.
Paraskevi N
PN
Polymenakou
Department of Maritime Studies, University of Piraeus, GR-18532 Piraeus, Greece.
Anastasios
A
Tselepides
Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Gournes Pediados, P.O. Box 2214, GR-71003 Heraklion, Greece.
Nikolaos
N
Lampadariou
D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis*; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D016014:Linear Models; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
D006838:Hydrocarbons; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D001556:Hexachlorocyclohexane; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; C023888:beta-hexachlorocyclohexane
Chlorinated pesticides; DDT; Deep-sea sediments; Eastern Mediterranean; Petroleum hydrocarbons; Polychlorinated biphenyls