Distribution and possible sources of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and metals in marine surface sediments off northern Mozambique.
Mar Pollut Bull
; 163: 111952, 2021 Feb.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33461077
ABSTRACT
Liquid natural gas (LNG) exploration has started off the coast of northern Mozambique, in the Rovuma Basin, East Africa. In advance of gas production, we collected in 2018 over 100 samples of surface sediments from 40 locations in the pristine and exploration areas at water depths of 5-2000 m. We have determined the levels of hydrocarbons (total hydrocarbon contents (THC) and 49 individual PAHs), heavy metals, arsenic, grain size and total organic carbon. While sediment composition varied strongly from coarse sediment to high mud contents (<63 µm), background levels of hydrocarbons and metals were found in most samples. We found anthropogenic contamination at one site in Pemba harbor. We observed no petroleum-related contamination, including the Palma area with numerous exploration wells. Elevated concentrations of barium and THC at some locations in this area are attributed to drilling activities but are not considered to be of environmental concern.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Hidrocarbonetos Policíclicos Aromáticos
/
Poluentes Químicos da Água
País/Região como assunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mar Pollut Bull
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article