Hydrocarbons in Rowley Shelf (Western Australia) oysters and sediments

Abstract

Between 1986 and 1988 sediment and oyster samples were collected from remote islands on the Rowley Shelf off Western Australia in order to determine baseline concentrations of saturate n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) prior to the commissioning of three oilfields. Saturate n-alkane concentrations ranged from 1.0–4.9 ppm in oysters and 0.015-0.050 ppm in sediments while PAH concentrations were measured at <0.010-0.150 ppm in oysters and <0.005 ppm in sediments. Oysters from four sites were characterized by low levels of petroleum hydrocarbons. Sources for this contamination may include fishing boats, commercial shipping and work boats associated with oilfield construction activities. The concentrations of hydrocarbons in the Rowley Shelf samples reflect levels measured in other unpolluted areas of the world.