Open AccessInvestigation of Aliphatic and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Surface Sediments of Brunei Bay, East Malaysia
Author(s) -
Swee Yun Pang,
Suhaimi Suratman,
Joo Hui Tay,
Mohd Tahir Norhayati
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
asian journal of chemistry/asian journal of chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 0975-427X
pISSN - 0970-7077
DOI - 10.14233/ajchem.2021.23033
Subject(s) - bay , mangrove , environmental chemistry , chemistry , petroleum , sediment , alkane , hydrocarbon , environmental science , oceanography , geology , ecology , organic chemistry , geomorphology , biology
The surface distributions of aliphatic hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)were investigated from coastal sediments of Brunei Bay, southern South China Sea. The concentrationsof total n-alkane (TNA) and 16 USEPA priority PAHs ranged from 0.67 to 9.88 μg/g and 4.72 to 102ng/g, respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) clustered the hydrocarbons in surface sedimentsaccording to their relationship and geographical locations, anticipated to the inputs and activities inproximity. Biomarker diagnostic ratios revealed that biogenic n-alkane inputs in the coastal sedimentsare exported from the fluviomarine and mangrove swamp environment, while the PAHs inputs arederived from mixed petrogenic and petroleum combustion residues. Overall, the level of PAHs in thestudy area is between low to moderate, based on the comparison with other areas worldwide.