HYDROCARBONS IN SURFACE SHELF SEDIMENTS OF THE MEXICAN TROPICAL PACIFIC OCEAN

Hydrocarbons from Mexican eastern tropical Pacific surface shelf sediments were measured in 37 stations to establish baseline concentrations and possible origins and transformations in the region. Aliphatic hydrocarbon concentrations ranged from 1.3 to 61.3 ppm and aromatic hydrocarbons varied from...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: LOPEZ-VENERONI, Diego, DE LA LANZA-ESPINO, Guadalupe, BOTELLO, Alfonso V
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2012
País:México
Institución:UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AUTÓNOMA DE MÉXICO
Repositorio:Revista Internacional de Contaminación Ambiental
Idioma:español
OAI Identifier:oai:ojs.pkp.sfu.ca:article/32786
Acceso en línea:https://www.revistascca.unam.mx/rica/index.php/rica/article/view/32786
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Mexican Tropical Pacific Ocean
hydrocarbons
sediments
Descripción
Sumario:Hydrocarbons from Mexican eastern tropical Pacific surface shelf sediments were measured in 37 stations to establish baseline concentrations and possible origins and transformations in the region. Aliphatic hydrocarbon concentrations ranged from 1.3 to 61.3 ppm and aromatic hydrocarbons varied from 1.3 to 272.5 ppm. The modal values for both fractions were within the concentration range of pristine environments. The n-alkane chains nC31, nC29, nC27, nC18 and nC19, predominated among the aliphatic fraction. A few polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) of possible terrestrial origin were present. The relatively high nC18 and phytane concentrations, low pristane:phytane ratios, and the presence of PAHs, reflect the anoxic environment of deposition. Accumulation and preservation of organic matter over the shelf is feasible considering the environmental characteristics of the region.