Assessing the sources of organic matter in sediments from the Gulf of Batabanó (Cuba) using stable isotopes, aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

IF 2.1 3区地球科学 Q2 OCEANOGRAPHY

Continental Shelf Research Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI:10.1016/j.csr.2025.105405

Imma Tolosa , Marianela Mesa-Albernas , Carlos M. Alonso-Hernández

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Samples of superficial sediments collected along the Gulf of Batabanó, Cuba were analysed for the first time to characterize contents of biogenic and anthropogenic hydrocarbon biomarkers aiming to understand sources of hydrocarbon contamination that might contribute to biodiversity loss and fisheries decline. Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) levels, ranging from 7.8 to 54 μg g⁻¹ dry weight, fall within the range typical for non-polluted areas, suggesting minimal anthropogenic impact. The sediment's aliphatic hydrocarbon profile further supports this, showing no signs of petrogenic contamination and a variation in total ∑n-alkanes concentration between 0.31 and 8.2 μg g⁻¹ dry weight. The presence of high concentrations of highly branched isoprenoids (HBIs), ββ hopanoid compounds, and the absence of the C32-C35 extended hopane doublets, which are indicative of crude oil pollution, point to a dominance of natural organic sources. This is corroborated by δ¹³C isotopic values of specific aliphatic biomarkers, which trace back to biogenic origins such as terrestrial plant waxes, seagrass beds, and marine plankton, with the seagrass beds being the primary contributor to the organic matter in offshore sediments. Lastly, the low-level presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their pyrolytic origin pattern suggest limited contamination, likely from combustion processes rather than direct petroleum input. This comprehensive analysis underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring to preserve the ecological integrity of such marine environment.

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来源期刊

Continental Shelf Research 地学-海洋学

CiteScore

4.30

自引率

4.30%

发文量

136

审稿时长

6.1 months

期刊介绍： Continental Shelf Research publishes articles dealing with the biological, chemical, geological and physical oceanography of the shallow marine environment, from coastal and estuarine waters out to the shelf break. The continental shelf is a critical environment within the land-ocean continuum, and many processes, functions and problems in the continental shelf are driven by terrestrial inputs transported through the rivers and estuaries to the coastal and continental shelf areas. Manuscripts that deal with these topics must make a clear link to the continental shelf. Examples of research areas include: Physical sedimentology and geomorphology Geochemistry of the coastal ocean (inorganic and organic) Marine environment and anthropogenic effects Interaction of physical dynamics with natural and manmade shoreline features Benthic, phytoplankton and zooplankton ecology Coastal water and sediment quality, and ecosystem health Benthic-pelagic coupling (physical and biogeochemical) Interactions between physical dynamics (waves, currents, mixing, etc.) and biogeochemical cycles Estuarine, coastal and shelf sea modelling and process studies.