Hydrocarbon and sewage contamination near fringing reefs along the west coast of Havana, Cuba: A multiple sedimentary molecular marker approach. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martins, César C.; Castellanos-Iglesias, Susel; Cabral, Ana Caroline; de Souza, Amanda Câmara; Ferraz, Mariana Aliceda; Alves, Thiago Pereira
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 136(2018)
• Page Start: 38
• Page End: 49
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Aliphatic hydrocarbons -- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons -- Sterols -- Linear alkylbenzenes -- Coral reefs; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.08.031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Organic contamination is a major environmental concern in coastal regions, and it can be evaluated by the determination of aliphatic hydrocarbons (AHs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), faecal sterols and linear alkylbenzenes (LABs). The concentrations of these organic markers were obtained from nine surface sediment samples to evaluate a possible contamination near a fringing reef on the west coast of Havana, Cuba. The AH levels ranged from 1.24 to 135.6 μg g −1, the PAH levels were up to 2133 ng g −1, the faecal sterol levels ranged from 0.03 to 1.54 μg g −1, and the total LAB levels were up to 22.7 ng g −1 . The highest concentrations were obtained at sites close to Havana Bay and at the sources of untreated sewage input. A decreasing concentration gradient was observed from Havana Bay to the outer sites. Although only two sites presented high levels of contamination, untreated sewage discharged close to the fringing reef may affect its environment. Highlights: Organic contamination was detected near fringing reefs along the west coast of Havana, Cuba. Hydrocarbons were related to petrogenic sources and combustion residues. Diagnostic ratios and regional threshold levels were determined for the study area. High positive correlation was verified between the faecal sterols and hydrocarbons. Autochthonous OM production is not directly influenced by the input of faecal OM.