Abstract
A total of 46 surface soil samples were collected from the Yellow River Delta Natural Reserve (YRDNR) and the adjacent area of the reserve. These samples were analyzed for thirty n-alkanes (C₁₀–C₃₉) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Twenty-four n-alkanes (C₁₂–C₃₅) were detected in the samples. In most of the samples, bimodal distribution pattern was observed, whereas unimodal distribution pattern was identified in only a few samples. The total concentrations of n-alkanes in the YRDNR varied from 0.361 to 1.16 mg kg⁻¹ (mean, 0.643 mg kg⁻¹), which is higher than the outside area of natural reserve (0.516 mg kg⁻¹). The soil was contaminated by oil fields located in the natural reserve with low contamination level. Diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis indicated that mixed sources of pollution, such as aquatic organisms, terrestrial higher plants, and oil-related hydrocarbons, has contributed to the hydrocarbon contamination of the area. Some sorts of remedial measures are necessary for protecting the ecological environment of the natural reserve. The results from the present research work are of great significance for developing effective counter measures to reduce the adverse effects of anthropogenic activities to the estuarine wetland ecosystem.
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