merged

Determination of Hydrocarbons in Marine Core Sediment off Northern
Terengganu Coast
Nur Syafiqah Syahidah binti Abd Halak
Supervisor: Prof Dr. Norhayati binti Mohd Tahir
Bachelor of Science (Analytical and Environmental Chemistry)
School of Marine and Environmental Sciences
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
Three marine core sediments from South China Sea off Northern Terengganu coast
and Setiu Wetland were analysed for aliphatic (n-alkane) and polycyclic aromatic
(PAHs) hydrocarbons, and total organic carbon (TOC). The aim of this study is to
determine the concentration and distribution of n-Alkane, PAHs and TOC and assess
their possible source of inputs into the sediment. Freeze dried sediments were
ultrasonic extracted and then fractionated using column chromatography into aliphatic
and PAHs fractions. Determination of these fractions was carried out using GC-MS
while TOC was determined using Walkley-Black method. The levels of hydrocarbons
in sediment for all locations are low and TOC between 0.31 – 5.20% with terrestrial
plant waxes as the main source of hydrocarbons input. However, the levels of TOC
and hydrocarbons in the wetland sediment are generally higher than the coastal core
sediment due to its proximity to the terrestrial vegetation sources.
1974 | UMT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH DAY 2018