Distribution and sources of fatty acids in sediment cores from Al-Hammar marsh, southern Iraq

Abstract EN

The distribution and concentration of fatty acids in sediment cores from two stations , in the beginning (core 1) and in the end (core 2) at Hor Al-Hammar marshes Southern Iraq, were measured by high resolution capillary gas chromatography.

Core was dated by employing Pb-210 method.

Other relevant parameters were measured in core section including total organic carbon, C : N and carbonates in additional to grain size analysis.

The sedimentation rate at the sampling station was found to be 0.7 cm / y.

Thus the core sampled represents the period from 1960 to 1988.

The average concentration of fatty acids in core sections were ranged from 42.25 to 10.66 μg / g dry weight for core 1 and from 30.44 to 2.43 μg / g dry weight for core 2.

Chromatography exhibit a bimodal distribution, with maximum at C16 and C26 a strong even to odd carbon number predominance, typical of biogenic source (phytoplankton, terrigenous plant wax and microbial sources).