Source and distribution of petroleum hydrocarbons in sediments from Todos os Santos Bay, Bahia

Authors

  • J. J. Celino Núcleo de Estudos Ambientais, Instituto de Geociências, UFBA, Salvador, Bahia
  • I. G. Veiga Centro de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Macaé, Rio de Janeiro
  • J. A. Trigüis Centro de Ciência e Tecnologia, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Macaé, Rio de Janeiro
  • A. F. S. Queiroz Núcleo de Estudos Ambientais, Instituto de Geociências, UFBA, Salvador, Bahia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14210/bjast.v12n1.p31-38

Abstract

Todos os Santos Bay, located in Recôncavo Bahiano, is the largest navigable bay of Brazil. Its seafront has about 450 km and is recovered by extensive mangroves, which have developed over an humid substract rich in argillaceous minerals and organic matter. Coastal marine ecosystems, specially the semi-enclosed systems like bays, are under unrelenting stress caused by urban and industrial development. Mangroves are classified as being the most sensitive coastal environment and can be seriously affected by oil. Petroleum causes alteration on the mangrove that are common to several spills studies. This study was undertaken in the north area of Todos os Santos Bay to evaluate the possibility of chronic environmental impact induced by 50 years of exposure to the local petroleum industry. Pollution was investigated by determination of aliphatic hydrocarbon concentrations and biomarker compounds, for organic matter source identification. Results revealed that the main sources of hydrocarbons are from higher forests. Others sources of anthropogenic hydrocarbons are domestic and industrial effluents, shipping operations, offshore petroleum production, and transportation.

Author Biographies

J. J. Celino, Núcleo de Estudos Ambientais, Instituto de Geociências, UFBA, Salvador, Bahia

Rua Barão de Geremoabo, s/n, Sala 304 A1, Federação, CEP 40170-290 Salvador, Bahia, Brasil

A. F. S. Queiroz, Núcleo de Estudos Ambientais, Instituto de Geociências, UFBA, Salvador, Bahia

Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA) Rua Barão de Geremoabo, s/n, Sala 304 A1, Federação, CEP 40170-290 Salvador, Bahia, Brasil

Downloads

Published

2008-09-11

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 1 (2008)

Section

Research Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).