The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 16 No 1 (2012): 1 – 11

 

 

 

ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS IN SURFACE SEDIMENTS FROM SOUTH CHINA SEA OFF KUCHING DIVISION, SARAWAK

 

(Hidrokarbon Alifatik di Permukaan Enapan Laut Cina Selatan Bahagian Kuching)

 

Hafidz B. Yusoff¹, Zaini B. Assim^1*, Samsur B. Mohamad²

 

¹Department of Chemistry,

²Department of Aquatic Sciences,

Faculty of Resource Sciences and Technology,

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak,

94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak

 

*Corresponding author: zaini@frst.unimas.my

 

 

Abstract

Eighteen surface sediment samples collected from South China Sea off Kuching Division, Sarawak were analyzed for aliphatic hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons were recovered from sediment by Soxhlet extraction method and then analyzed using gas chromatography equipped with mass spectrometer (GC/MS). Total concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments from South China Sea off Kuching division are ranged from 35.6 ug/g to 1466.1 ug/g dry weights. The sediments collected from Bako Bay, Kuching showed high concentrations of total aliphatic hydrocarbons. Several molecular indices were used to predict the predominant sources of hydrocarbons. Carbon preference index (CPI) value revealed widespread anthropogenic input in this study area (CPI= 0 to 4.1). The ratio of C₃₁/C₁₉and C₂₉/C₃₁indicated that major input of aliphatic hydrocarbon mostly transfer by lateral input to the marine environment than atmospheric movements. Generally, the concentrations of aliphatic hydrocarbons in sediment from South China Sea off Kuching division are generally higher compare to other area in the world.

 

Keywords: Aliphatic hydrocarbons, surface sediment, South China Sea, Soxhlet extraction, gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS), carbon preference index (CPI)

 

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