Perylene as an indicator of land-based plant biomarkers in the southwest Caspian Sea.
In this study, 84 surface sediment samples, from 28 Iranian rivers, 45 surface sediment samples and 31 samples from one core in the southwest of the Caspian Sea were collected and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The results showed high variability of perylene in coastal surface sediments (1.3-123.6 ng g⁻¹ dw) and river sediments (0.5-111.1 ng g⁻¹ dw). Core samples revealed high levels of perylene which increased with depth. Three diagnostic ratios (DRs) for source identification of perylene (Per/TPAH, Per/PAI and Py/Per) revealed a dominance of biogenic inputs to the surface layers (coasts and rivers) and diagenetic production of perylene in the sediment core. Hyrcanian forests with humid climates favor wood-degrading fungi and the production of perylene and its precursors. Biogenic production of perylene as a land plant derived biomarker can be used for the reconstruction of paleoclimatic conditions of the southwest Caspian Sea.
Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, PO Box 64414-356, Noor, Mazandaran, Iran.
Mohammad Nemati
MN
Varnosfaderany
Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Marine Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, PO Box 64414-356, Noor, Mazandaran, Iran. Electronic address: riahi@modares.ac.ir.
Alireza Riyahi
AR
Bakhtiari
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Science, No. 19 Beitucheng West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China.
Zhaoyan
Z
Gu
Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Science, No. 19 Beitucheng West Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100029, China.
Guoqiang
G
Chu
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D010569:Perylene / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
D015415:Biomarkers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D010569:Perylene
Biogenic; Caspian Sea; PAHs; Perylene