Distribution of hydrocarbons and microbial populations related to sedimentation processes

• Main Authors: Ronald M. Atlas, Mahalakshmi I. Venutesans, Isaac R. Kaplans, Richard A. Feely, Robert P. Greffiths, Richard Y. Monta
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1983
• Subjects: Key words; arctic marine eoosystems; sedimentation; microorganisms; hydrocarbons; lower Cook Inlet; Norton Sound; Arctic; Yukon; Kachemak; Yukon river
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.575.4440; http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic36-3-251.pdf

ABSTRACT. In spring and summer 1978 and spring 1979 an integrated study was carried out to examine the interrelationships of physical (sediment deposition), chemical (organic carbon and hydrocarbon concc~m), andbidogid (microbial popllations and activities) factors in the Cook Met and Norton Sound regions with respect tothe probable sinks and fates of hydrocarbon cantaminants within these ecosystems. Most of the fine-graincd sediment entering Cook Inlet is transported out of the inlet into Shetikof Strait; however, significant sediment accumulatioll occurs within areas of Kamishalr and Kachemak bays. In Norton Sound, sediment from the Yukon River is transported counterclockwise around the- embayment and ap-proximately 50 % is deposited in the nearshore regions of the sound. In both regions, areas of high sediment accumulation are richer in organic car-bon and hydrocarbon derived from land than are areas of low sediment accumulation. In general, areas with high sadiment accumulation rates for fine-grained particles are also areas of relatively high microbial activity. Results suggest that hese elevated microbial activities reflect biodegradation of detrital carbon associated with these particles. Also, the Cook Inlet and Norton Sound region were found to be free from petroleum hydrocarbon contamination (with the exception of ne ana in Cook Inla). No evidence was found of hydrocarbon accumulation resulting from a gas seepage in Norton Sound, nor for accumulation of hydrocarbons in sediments of lower Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait from oil well operations in upper Cook Inlet.