Evaluation of sediment contamination by monoaromatic hydrocarbons in the coastal lagoons of Gulf of Saros, NE Aegean Sea.
The concentrations and distribution of monoaromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and the sum of m-, p- and o-, xylenes) were determined in the sediments of coastal lagoons of the Gulf of Saros, using a static headspace GC-MS. The total concentrations of BTEX compounds ranged from 368.5 to below detection limit 0.6μgkg-1dw, with a mean value of 61.5μgkg-1dw. The light aromatic fraction of m-, p-xylene was the most abundant compound (57.1% in average), and followed by toluene (38.1%)>ethylbenzene (4.1%)>o-xylene (2.5%)>benzene (1.1%). The factor analysis indicated that the levels and distribution of BTEX compounds depend on the type of contaminant source (mobile/point), absorbance of compounds in sediment, and mobility of benzene compound and degradation processes. Point sources are mainly related to agricultural facilities and port activities while the dispersion of compounds are related with their solubility, volatility and effect of sea/saline waters on lagoons.
Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, Istanbul University, 34134 Vefa, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: su@istanbul.edu.tr.
Selma
S
Ünlü
Institute of Marine Sciences and Management, Istanbul University, 34134 Vefa, Istanbul, Turkey.
Bedri
B
Alpar
D001554:Benzene / Q000032:analysis; D001555:Benzene Derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000032:analysis*; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D014050:Toluene / Q000032:analysis; D014835:Volatilization; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014992:Xylenes / Q000032:analysis
D001555:Benzene Derivatives; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D014992:Xylenes; D014050:Toluene; C031286:4-xylene; D001554:Benzene; C004912:ethylbenzene; C026114:2-xylene
BTEX; Coastal lagoons; Gulf of Saros, Aegean Sea; Salt lakes; Sediment; Source recognition