Quantification, origin, and distribution of aliphatic hydrocarbons in marine sediments of the Protected Natural Areas of Pachacamac and Asia Islands in Lima, Peru

Noriega D.; Villegas P.; Neira U. · Boletin de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (2025) · DOI: 10.25268/bimc.invemar.2025.54.1.1335

Resumen

The objective of this research was to evaluate the concentration, origin, and spatial distribution of aliphatic hydrocarbons in the Protected Natural Areas of Pachacamac Island and Asia Island (IPA), which are influenced by fishing and tourism activities. These activities generate traffic from motorized vessels that utilize petroleum derivatives, thereby posing a risk of contamination from hydrocarbon leaks or spills. The identification of hydrocarbons in marine sediment samples was conducted using the gas chromatography method, coupled with a flame ionization detector (CG-FID). The spatial distribution of hydrocarbons was assessed using the inverse distance weighting interpolation method. As a result, a sampling station onAsia Island with moderate contamination was identified. The remaining sampled stations exhibited no hydrocarbon contamination. However, the results indicated that 94.1 and 66.6 % of the hydrocarbons found in the assessed areas of Pachacamac and Asia Islands, respectively, are anthropogenic in nature. The predominance of anthropogenic hydrocarbons on both islands may indicate long-term contamination due to accumulation effects. It was determined that the highest concentration of hydrocarbons in the IPAis found at locations where fishing and tourism activities occur, while the lowest concentration is found in areas without such activities.

Instituciones: Universidad Científica del Sur