Hydrocarbons in the Surface Layer of Bottom Sediments of Balaklava Bay (Black Sea)

O. V. Soloveva1, E. A. Tikhonova1,*, E. A. Kotelyanets2, K. I. Gurov2

1 A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of RAS, Sevastopol, Russia

2 Marine Hydrophysical Institute of RAS, Sevastopol, Russia

* e-mail: tihonoval@mail.ru

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to determine the content and spatial distribution of hydrocarbons in the upper (0–5 cm) layer of bottom sediments of Balaklava Bay and to assess probable sources of hydrocarbons in this water area. The quantitative determination of the total content of hydrocarbons was carried out by calibration of the flame ionization detector with a mixture of hydrocarbons (С12–С40), which had been prepared by the gravimetric method, with the content ranging 0.1–5.0 mg/L. N-hexane was used as an extractant. The measurements were carried out using Kristall 5000.2 gas chromatograph. The total amount of hydrocarbons in the bottom sediments of Balaklava Bay reached 2385 mg/kg, with an average of 880 mg/kg, and that of n-alkanes – 154 mg/kg, with an average of 61 mg/kg. The maximum concentrations of hydrocarbons are noted in the central part of the bay and the minimum ones – in its seaward part. In the sea bottom sediments of Balaklava Bay n-alkanes were identified in the range of C13–C35. The total content of hydrocarbons in the sea bottom sediments of Balaklava Bay corresponded to the levels noted in the polluted zones of coastal areas of the World Ocean. The presence of bimodality in the n-alkanes distribution chromatograms apparently indicates the mixed origin of hydrocarbons. The calculated markers indicate that normal alkanes in the sea bottom sediments of the water area are of predominantly terrigenous origin (TAR, Alkterr, ∑С25-35/∑С15-21(odd)) and also signify chronic petroleum contamination (CPI2, UCM/R). The hydrocarbon composition of sea bottom sediments in the seaward area of Balaklava Bay differed from that recorded in the inner parts of the water area. Calculated for this area, diagnostic indices, which allow differentiation of oil and biogenic hydrocarbons, indicate predomination of natural hydrocarbons.

Keywords

hydrocarbons, n-alkanes, sea bottom sediments, diagnostic indices, Balaklava Bay, Black Sea

Acknowledgments

The work was carried out under state assignments: IBSS “Molismological and biogeochemical foundations of the marine ecosystems homeostasis” (no. 121031500515-8); Marine Hydrophysical Institute of RAS on topic no. 0555-2021-0005 “Сomplex interdisciplinary research of oceanologic processes, which determine functioning and evolution of the Black and Azov Sea coastal ecosystems” (code “Coastal studies”).

For citation

Soloveva, O.V., Tikhonova, E.A., Kotelyanets, E.A. and Gurov, K.I., 2022. Hydrocarbons in the Surface Layer of Bottom Sediments of Balaklava Bay (Black Sea). Ecological Safety of Coastal and Shelf Zones of Sea, (2), pp. 101–117.

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