Thermogenic hydrocarbons in seawater of the Gippsland Shelf, southeast Australia.

An offshore survey measured the concentration of thermogenic hydrocarbons (THCs) in samples extracted from seawater at 718 locations along 22 traverse lines across the Gippsland Shelf, southeast Australia, and recorded compounds typical of subsurface crude oil and natural gas (petroleum) accumulations. Background concentrations of 8 ppm, with isolated peak levels of 20 to 52 ppm, were detected in samples extracted from seawater at depths of 30 to 50 m over distances of 10 km. Two sources have been suggested - seepage of THCs from subsurface accumulations of petroleum, or THCs in waste-water discharged by several offshore petroleum production facilities which are present on the shelf. A waste-water source is favoured because of the transitory nature of the concentrations, and changes in composition consistent with plume drift away from the point(s) of discharge. Overall, however, the concentration of THCs in waters of the Gippsland Shelf compare favourably with levels in waters affected by urban runoff. The concentration of THCs in other coastal waters from urban and onshore sources is low, equivalent to the background concentration in the major oceans of the world.