Determination of total hydrocarbon concentration in coastal waters and sediments off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia

To determine the level of total hydrocarbon concentrations (THCs) along the eastern coastal regions of Peninsular Malaysia, samples of subsurface seawater (1 m) and surface sediments were collected from several sampling stations between June and August 1993. THCs in seawater and sediments as determined by fluorescence spectroscopy ranged from 1.4 to 21.8 µg L-1 (Seligi crude oil equivalents) and from 0.79 to 20.0 mg kg-1 (dry weight Seligi crude oil equivalents) respectively. In comparison to results obtained in similar surveys in Malaysian waters, the levels of THCs found in the present study were significantly lower indicating lower hydrocarbon contamination in the area studied.