Hydrocarbon contamination in Cartagena Bay, Colombia

This study deals with the levels of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon quantification in sediments and organisms in Cartagena Bay (Colombia), 1996-1997. Sediments (14 stations) and bivalves (2 stations) were monitored at different times of the year. Areas with high values were in the north with concentrations above 100 mug/g with a maximum of 1415 mug/g, Areas with low values were located toward the south, near the outlet of the Canal del Dique and Baru Island, with values below 10 mug/g. In other areas concentrations were between 50 and 100 mug/g. A decrease in sediment concentrations of hydrocarbons has occurred since 1983, but levels in some sectors are still similar to those in polluted areas. Organisms have relatively low values (8-30 mug/g for bivalves, and 1040 mug/g for fish). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.