The use of fatty acid biomarkers to define the origin of organic material in Kerteh warer system

Abstract

Fatty acid composition in sediments, water and organisms (Telescopium telescopium, Elimia clenchi, Penaeus monodon, Chiromantes eulimene) from Kerteh river, lagoon and Petronas Port harbour was determined. These samples were collected in April 20 IO in order to define the origin of organic material as assessed by fatty acid markers. Lipid extraction was done using one-step method. The fatty acid profile of sediment characterized by higher level of PUF As in every locations. At Kerteh river, there was 90.4 % of PUFAs followed by 57.0% of PUFAs at Petronas Port harbour (sea) while 39.0 % at lagoon. There were five fatty acid markers identified in all samples which are mangrove leaves, microalgae, diatoms, bacteria and zooplankton. Mangrove leaves and zooplankton were found dominated in the river while at lagoon mangrove leaves were dominated and at the Petronas Port Harbour mangrove leaves and bacteria were dominated in the area. The existence of the fatty acids CI 8:3n3 indicates the mangrove detritus sources where it occur in all samples and at all locations. From the result obtained, the fatty acid biomarkers has determined the sources of organic material in sediments, SPMs and organisms from river, lagoon and port area.