Composition and sources of pollutant hydrocarbons in the Severn Estuary

Hydrocarbon distributions in sediment from the Severn Estuary can be explained mainly in terms of a pollutant origin. The aliphatic hydrocarbon distribution is similar to that found in biodegraded crude oils. The distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, including the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene, is similar to that derived from the pyrolysis of fossil fuels, especially petroleum.