Centro Nacional Patagónico (CENPAT-CONICET), Bv. Brown 2915, U9120ACD, Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina.
Mar Environ Res. 2012 Mar;74:20-31. doi: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2011.11.010. Epub 2011 Dec 7.
The environmental quality of Ushuaia Bay, located at the southernmost tip of South America, is affected by the anthropogenic pressure of Ushuaia city. In this study, levels and sources of hydrocarbons in coastal sediments were assessed. Aliphatic hydrocarbon fractions ranged between 5.5 and 1185.3 μg/g dry weight and PAHs from not detected to 360 ng/g. Aliphatic diagnostic indices, the nalkanes homologous series occurrence, Aliphatic Unresolved Complex Mixtures (AliUCMs), and pristane and phytane isoprenoids indicated a petrogenic input. Some sites showed biogenic features masked by the anthropogenic signature. Particularly in port areas biodegradation processes were evident. PAH ratios showed a mixture of petrogenic and pyrogenic sources. Aliphatic and aromatic UCMs were strongly correlated, reflecting chronic pollution. Three areas were distinguished inside the bay: (1) east, with low hydrocarbons impact; (2) central, where hydrocarbons accumulation was related to source proximity and sediment characteristics; (3) south-west, where sediment characteristics and current circulation favour hydrocarbons accumulation.
乌斯怀亚湾位于南美洲最南端，其环境质量受到乌斯怀亚市的人为压力的影响。本研究评估了沿海沉积物中碳氢化合物的水平和来源。脂肪族烃类分数范围在 5.5 至 1185.3μg/g 干重之间，多环芳烃的检出量从未检出到 360ng/g。脂肪族诊断指数、正构烷烃同系物的出现、未解析复杂混合物（AliUCMs）以及姥鲛烷和植烷类异戊二烯表明存在生源输入。一些地点表现出被人为特征掩盖的生物成因特征。特别是在港口地区，生物降解过程明显。多环芳烃比值显示出生源和热成因源的混合物。脂肪族和芳香族 UCMs 呈强相关性，反映了慢性污染。在海湾内区分出三个区域：（1）东部，碳氢化合物影响较小；（2）中部，碳氢化合物的积累与源的接近程度和沉积物特征有关；（3）西南，沉积物特征和当前的环流有利于碳氢化合物的积累。
