Distribution and Genesis of Hydrocarbons in Water and Sediments of the Kerch Strait

The content and composition of hydrocarbons (aliphatic hydrocarbons – AHCs and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – PAHs) in the marine surface suspended particulate matter and surface bottom sediments of the Kerch Strait in April and September 2019 are presented. Despite the high AHCs concentrations in surface waters (56–186 μg/L), their composition differ from oil alkanes due to their rapid degradation and the influence of pyrogenic emissions from watercrafts. Low PAHs concentrations (5–9 ng/L) in marine suspended matter are caused by their lower contents in the emission sources, as well as by the current pattern in the strait. In the coarse-grained bottom sediments, the concentrations of AHCs (1–63 μg/g) and PAHs (1–728 ng/g) were also lower than those in other Black Sea areas. The use of factor analysis showed that the main source of pollution is pyrogenic (combustion products of marine fuel). To a lesser extent, the composition of PAHs is affected by the influence of runoff from the mainland and the flow of oil products from shipping. © 2022, Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.