SOURCES OF POLYCYLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN MANGROVE SEDIMENTS OF PULAU CIK WAN DAGANG, KEMAMAN.
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Date
2011
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Sustainability Science and Management
Abstract
In this study, the distributions of policyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface
sediments of fifteen stations from a small mangrove island located within the estuary of Kemaman
River were determined. Sediments were soxhlet extracted using a 1:1 mixture of dicholoromethane
and hexane as solvent. Desulphurisation was done using mercury treatment while fractionation was
done using silica-alumina column chromatography technique. The hydrocarbons were detected using
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GCMS). Results showed that total identifed PAHs (TIP)
ranged between 0.12 – 1.42 mg g-1. Regardless of site, the most common compounds detected were
those of higher molecular weight largely known to be associated with combustion of fuel materials.
A strong correlation exists between benzo[ghi] perylene and TIP suggested that combustion of fuel
materials (vehicular emissions) could be a major contributor of PAHs to these sediments. Based on the
strategic location of the island within the Kemaman estuary, it is postulated that the most likely sources
of the PAHs compounds are runoffs and atmospheric deposition from various related activities from
Chukai Township and from maritime sources such as discharges from ships and fishing boats.
Description
Keywords
South China Sea, river estuary, PAHs, fuel combustion, vehicular emission