Table 6-2. Concentrations of Naphthalenes/Phenanthrenes in 
Windsor Cove Sediments (^g/gram dry wt. sediment). 
Component 
Oct. 
Depth 
MARSH 
Cone. 
May 
Depth 
Cone. 
Naphthalene 
0-6 cm 
14-18 cm 
9.2 
0.024 
0-5 cm 
1 5-20 cm 
0.63 
0.011 
C^-Naphthalenes 
0-6 cm 
14-18 cm 
370 
1.1 
0-5 cm 
1 5-20 cm 
41 
0.33 
C2'Naphthalenes 
0-6 cm 
14-1 8 cm 
1380 
5.1 
0-5 cm 
1 5-20 cm 
260 
1.5 
Cg-Naphthalenes 
0-6 cm 
14-1 8 cm 
3040 
12 
0-5 cm 
1 5-20 cm 
590 
3.4 
C-j-Phenanthrenes 
0-6 cm 
14-18 cm 
500 
2.2 
0-5 cm 
1 5-20 cm 
97 
0.94 
C2'Phenanthrenes 
0-6 cm 
14-1 8 cm 
480 
2.2 
0-5 cm 
1 5-20 cm 
96 
1.1 
The data in Table 6-2 demonstrate the usefulness of the technique of 
quantitative GC-MF analysis in biogeochemical studies of oil spills. The data 
also demonstrates that fuel oil aromatic hydrocarbons have survived for at least 
seven months in the marsh sediments in concentrations well above background. 
Thus, for this time period, the West Falmouth spill was not unique. Further 
investigation will determine if the parallel between the fate of the petroleum 
compounds from the two oil spills will continue. 
Historical Record of Fossil Fuel Hydrocarbons 
in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts 
Our gas chromatographic measurements of hydrocarbons in surface 
sediments at several locations in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts indicated the 
presence of an unresolved complex mixture of hydrocarbons with a wide 
molecular weight range, indicating that these hydrocarbons might be from 
chronic oil pollution (8). However, there were several other sources such as 
natural diagenetic processes and weathering of ancient sediments to be 
considered (8). In order to assist in evaluating the source of these 
72 
