Hydrocarbon contamination in Cartagena Bay, Colombia

This study deals with the levels of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbon quantification in sediments and organisms in Cartagena Bay (Colombia), 1996–1997. Sediments (14 stations) and bivalves (2 stations) were monitored at different times of the year. Areas with high values were in the north with concentrations above 100 μg/g with a maximum of 1415 μg/g. Areas with low values were located toward the south, near the outlet of the Canal del Dique and Barú Island, with values below 10 μg/g. In other areas concentrations were between 50 and 100 μg/g. A decrease in sediment concentrations of hydrocarbons has occurred since 1983, but levels in some sectors are still similar to those in polluted areas. Organisms have relatively low values (8–30 μg/g for bivalves, and 10–40 μg/g for fish).