Abstract

GARCES ORDONEZ, Ostin  and  ESPINOSA-DIAZ, Luisa Fernanda. Hydrocarbon contamination in mangrove sediments of the Mira river estuary, Colombian Pacific coast, affected by crude oil spills. Bol. Invest. Mar. Cost. [online]. 2019, vol.48, n.1, pp.159-168.  Epub Sep 16, 2019. ISSN 0122-9761.

The concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons equivalent of chrysene (HP) and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in mangrove sediments of the Mira river estuary, Pacific coast of Colombia, two years after spill of 410000 gallons of crude oil, produced by the attacks on Trans-Andean oil pipeline that occurred in June 2015. Sediments were collected in nine sampling stations distributed in the areas of Coba, Bocagrande, Mira, Terán, Congal and Chontal. The HP were analyzed using fluorescence spectrometry, and the 16 PAHs by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The HP concentrations indicated contamination in Coba (846 /μg/g p.s.), Congal (86 /μg/g p.s.) and Bocagrande (33 /μg/g p.s.). The highest concentration of 216HAPs (1590 ng/g p.s.) was registered in Coba, where chrysene (1154 ng/g p.s.) exceeded the reference value of probable adverse effects in benthic organisms. The results of hydrocarbons contamination in mangrove sediments at Coba indicate that it is necessary to determine the chronic effects of these contaminants in benthic organisms, and the importance of applying bio-remediation techniques that contribute to the rehabilitation and conservation of the mangroves in Tumaco.

Keywords : Mangrove contamination; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; Crude oil spill; Tumaco municipality; Colombia.

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