Aromatic hydrocarbons in waters of Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River estuary

Abstract

Determination of aromatic hydrocarbons in coastal waters, using solvent extraction and fluorescence emission analysis, shows wide distribution of fuel oils with only a small contribution from crude oil. Oil concentrations are reported as equivalent amounts of m-terphenyl (T) or pyrene (P). Observed concentrations in Port Phillip Bay are generally 0.2-0.3 pg l^-1 (T) and 0.1-0.2 pg l^-1 (P), with higher values in Corio Bay and the Yarra River estuary.