N-Alkanes and stable C, N isotopic compositions as identifiers of organic matter sources in Posidonia oceanica meadows of Alexandroupolis Gulf, NE Greece. Issue 1 (15th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Apostolopoulou, Maria-Venetia; Monteyne, Els; Krikonis, Konstantinos; Pavlopoulos, Kosmas; Roose, Patrick; Dehairs, Frank
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 99:Issue 1/2(2015)
• Page Start: 346
• Page End: 355
• Publication Date: 2015-10-15
• Subjects: n-Alkanes -- Posidonia oceanica -- Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes -- Mediterranean Sea -- Aegean Sea -- Alexandroupolis Gulf; 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.2015.07.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Highlights: We measured n -alkanes and isotopic composition in various samples in the Aegean Sea. Terrestrial and petroleum origin in Alexandroupolis Gulf was tested from 2007 to 2011. We provide baseline information on n _alkanes and isotopic composition for P. oceanica . Abstract: We analyzed n -alkane contents and their stable carbon isotope composition, as well as the carbon and nitrogen isotope composition (δ 13 C, δ 15 N) of sediment organic matter and different tissues of Posidonia oceanica seagrass sampled in Alexandroupolis Gulf (A.G.), north-eastern Greece, during 2007–2011. n -Alkane contents in P. oceanica and in sediments showed similar temporal trends, but relative to bulk organic carbon content, n -alkanes were much more enriched in sediments compared to seagrass tissue. Individual n -alkanes in sediments had similar values than seagrass roots and rhizomes and were more depleted in 13 C compared to seagrass leaves and sheaths, with δ 13 C values ranging from −35‰ to −28‰ and from −25‰ to −20‰, respectively. n -Alkane indexes such as the Carbon Preference Index, carbon number maximum, and n -alkane proxy 1 (C23 + C25 /C23 + C25 + C29 + C31 ) indicate strong inputs of terrestrial organic matter, while the presence of unresolved complex mixtures suggests potential oil pollution in some sampled areas.