INVESTIGATION ON THE NATURE AND PROVENANCE OF PAH FOUND IN SEDIMENTS OF THE SOLIMÕES RIVER AND SOME ASSOCIATED LAKES

Abstract

The present work aimed at evaluating indicators of hydrocarbon sources to sediments from the Solimões River region, in the central Amazon. The 16PAH, the alkylated homologs and molecular markers were investigated. The entire series of alkylated PAH were present and, in some cases, with a distribution observed when oil residues dominate. Nevertheless, hopanes characterizing immature environments undergoing diagenetic transformation were identified in samples from the Solimões River and in surface as well as in core sediment samples from Preto Lake, in the Coari-Manaus stretch. Investigation suggests early diagenesis of the organic matter confirmed by identifying biogenic markers produced during organic matter transformation. Some of these markers derive from incomplete combustion of biomass and are contained in particulate matter formed during forest burning. In the sediments of an industrial area near the city of Manaus, the entire series of mature hopanes was present indicating anthropogenic source of hydrocarbons. The results so far obtained point out the complexity of PAH source appraisal.