SOURCES OF POLYCYLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS IN MANGROVE SEDIMENTS OF PULAU CIK WAN DAGANG, KEMAMAN

In this study, the distributions of policyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface sediments of fifteen stations from a small mangrove island located within the estuary of Kemaman River were determined. Sediments were soxhlet extracted using a 1:1 mixture of dicholoromethane and hexane as solvent. Desulphurisation was done using mercury treatment while fractionation was done using silica-alumina column chromatography technique. The hydrocarbons were detected using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometer (GCMS). Results showed that total identified PAHs (TIP) ranged between 0.12 – 1.42 mg g-1. Regardless of site, the most common compounds detected were those of higher molecular weight largely known to be associated with combustion of fuel materials. A strong correlation exists between benzo[ghi] perylene and TIP suggested that combustion of fuel materials (vehicular emissions) could be a major contributor of PAHs to these sediments. Based on the strategic location of the island within the Kemaman estuary, it is postulated that the most likely sources of the PAHs compounds are runoffs and atmospheric deposition from various related activities from Chukai Township and from maritime sources such as discharges from ships and fishing boats.