Contaminación por hidrocarburos en sedimentos de manglar del estuario del río Mira, Pacífico colombiano, afectados por derrames de petróleo crudo

Abstract

The concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons equivalent of chrysene (HP) and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in mangrove sediments of the Mira river estuary, Pacific coast of Colombia, two years after spill of 410000 gallons of crude oil, produced by the attacks on Trans-Andean oil pipeline that occurred in June 2015. Sediments were collected in nine sampling stations distributed in the areas of Coba, Bocagrande, Mira, Terán, Congal and Chontal. The HP were analyzed using fluorescence spectrometry, and the 16 PAHs by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The HP concentrations indicated contamination in Coba (846 μg/g p.s.), Congal (86 μg/g p.s.) and Bocagrande (33 μg/g p.s.). The highest concentration of Σ16HAPs (1590ng/g p.s.) was registered in Coba, where chrysene (1154 ng/g p.s.) exceeded the reference value of probable adverse effects in benthic organisms. The results of hydrocarbons contamination in mangrove sediments at Coba indicate that it is necessary to determine the chroniceffects of these contaminants in benthic organisms, and the importance of applying bio-remediation techniques that contribute to the rehabilitation and conservation of the mangroves in Tumaco.