Petroleum Hydrocarbon in Seawater and Some Sediments of the South China Sea, area I: Gulf of Thailand and East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Petroleum hydrocarbon in water samples and sediments collected during the Pre-Southwest Monsoon Cruise in the Gulf of Thailand and Eastern Peninsular Malaysia in April-May 1996 point out that land-based and sea-based sources were both important. High concentration (> 0.5 mg/l) found in coastal water of the northern part and western part near Songkhla-Pattani could be derived from land-based sources. Elevated concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in seawater and residuals in sediments of the central area of the Gulf could be originated from offshore activities. However physical oceanography of the Gulf could also play very important roles in redistribution, dispersion and accumulation of petroleum hydrocarbon in the water.