title: A multi-molecular marker assessment of organic pollution in shore sediments from the Río de la Plata Estuary, SW Atlantic.
abstract: Organic pollution was evaluated in surface sediments along the middle portion of the Río de la Plata Estuary, SW Atlantic. A multi-molecular marker approach was performed to identify major sources of organic compounds using diagnostic indices. The relative contribution of different sources of hydrocarbons was quantified by source apportionment employing Principal Component Analysis/Multiple Linear Regression (PCA/MLR) as chemometric technique. All molecular markers indicated high chronic organic pollution in the stations of Montevideo Bay. Main sources of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were petroleum inputs and combustion, due to oil transport and refinement, harbour activities and vehicular emissions. Major sources of linear alkylbenzenes and steroids were industrial and domestic sewage. Although, significant anthropogenic inputs, a natural footprint of terrestrial higher plants contribution was recognized. Multi-molecular marker and comprehensive assessments can improve the establishment of more precise regulation actions to reduce pollution levels.
authors: Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo (IOUSP), Praça do Oceanográfico 191, Cidade Universitária, 05508-120 São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Oceanografía y Ecología Marina, Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales (IECA), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay. Electronic address: rulo@fcien.edu.uy.
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Venturini
authors: Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo (IOUSP), Praça do Oceanográfico 191, Cidade Universitária, 05508-120 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Márcia C
authors: MC
authors: Bícego
authors: Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo (IOUSP), Praça do Oceanográfico 191, Cidade Universitária, 05508-120 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Satie
authors: S
authors: Taniguchi
authors: Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo (IOUSP), Praça do Oceanográfico 191, Cidade Universitária, 05508-120 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors: Silvio T
authors: ST
authors: Sasaki
authors: Oceanografía y Ecología Marina, Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales (IECA), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay.
authors: Felipe
authors: F
authors: García-Rodríguez
authors: Oceanografía y Ecología Marina, Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales (IECA), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay.
authors: Ernesto
authors: E
authors: Brugnoli
authors: Oceanografía y Ecología Marina, Instituto de Ecología y Ciencias Ambientales (IECA), Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay.
authors: Pablo
authors: P
authors: Muniz
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D063366:Estuaries; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D016014:Linear Models; D010578:Petroleum / Q000032:analysis; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012722:Sewage / Q000737:chemistry; D014583:Uruguay; D001335:Vehicle Emissions / Q000032:analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons; D010578:Petroleum; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; D012722:Sewage; D001335:Vehicle Emissions; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Chemometric technique; Estuarine sediments; Multi-molecular indicators; Source diagnostics; Uruguay