Reconstruction of aliphatic hydrocarbons history and sources from sedimentary record of the Johor Strait, Malaysia

Hydrocarbon pollution is one of the most serious problems facing many developed and developing countries, including Malaysia. Aliphatic hydrocarbons comprising straight chain carbons are class of hydrocarbon pollution indices in the environment of anthropogenic and natural origins. To identify the historical trend of development, sediment samples were collected using a gravity corer from the narrow waterway of Johor Strait in the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The core samples were soxhlet extracted, purified and fractionated using 2-step column chromatography followed by instrumental analysis with Gas Chromatograph Flame Ionization Detector. The results showed that the hydrocarbon contamination followed 4 distinct patterns. The pre-war period or at the onset of industrial development has seen a minimum input of alkanes. The World War II and postwar period (1945-1960) saw a decrease in hydrocarbon contamination because of the significant reduction in oil transportation. The third phase (1960-1990) saw a rapid increase in hydrocarbon input due to rapid economic development, industrialization and motorization and human population growth. The 4th phase (1990-present) saw a trend toward decreasing contamination due to strict environmental regulations (1990-2005). Surface aliphatic hydrocarbon concentration may have resulted from port operations, shipping activities and accidental spills. Total alkane concentration for the surface, middle and bottom core were 3180, 835 and 263μgg(-1) dry weight, respectively. Fresh hydrocarbon input was inferred from the significant absence of pristane and phytane.Proceedings of the Horiba International Conference "New Direction of Ocean Research in the Western Pacific" : Past, Present and Future of UNESCO/IOC/WESTPAC Activity for 50 years and the JSPS Project "Coastal Marine Science"Section I: Research Articles/Pollutio