CONCENTRATIONS AND MOLECULAR MARKERS AS INDICATORS OF THE ORIGIN OF HYDROCARBONS IN COASTAL AREAS: EVIDENCE FROM THE SOUTHEASTERN AMUR BAY

Abstract

The coastal regions of oceans and seas are regions of high biological productivity, where the largest amounts of autochthonous biogenic compounds, HC inclusive, are formed. In addition, these regions are most subjected to anthropogenic load due to the vicinity of ports, oil-loading terminals, and urbanized territories at the coast [2]. The intense gas and oil production in the Russian Far East provokes hydrocarbon pollution, especially in the navigable waters with developed coastal industry. Based on available estimations, the Amur Bay experiences the strongest anthropogenic load in the Peter the Great Bay.