A. Saliot
1981
Citations
1
Influential Citations
28
Citations
Journal
Elsevier oceanography series
Abstract
Publisher Summary Hydrocarbons shows remarkable stability in water and sediments, and as such, hydrocarbons or derivatives of other natural structures are suitable candidates for use as biological or geochemical markers. Research into hydrocarbons has also been intensified in order to evaluate the background levels of pollution, to estimate any increase in concentration as a result of transport and industrial activities and to predict the effects of anthropogenic hydrocarbons on physical, chemical and biological processes. This chapter is concerned with natural hydrocarbons with fourteen or more carbon atoms. The distinction between volatile – low molecular weight – and non-volatile hydrocarbons is assumed by the differences in the analytical procedures used and the different chemical and biological roles of the two different types of compounds in the marine environment. The chapter also focuses on analytical procedures commonly used with special reference to typical data obtained for hydrocarbons extracted from sea water; and summarizes the occurrence of biogenic hydrocarbons in the ocean by considering the known sources: phytoplankton, benthic algae, zooplankton, bacteria, and the contributions by terrestrial plants.