ALIPHATIC-HYDROCARBONS AND LINEAR ALKYLBENZENES IN ZOOPLANKTON FROM THE GULF OF TRIESTE

It has been shown that linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) and aliphatic hydro carbons are present in zooplankton in the Gulf of Trieste. Samples wer e collected in December of 1990, May and August of 1991. The total hyd rocarbon levels for August were higher than those for December and May . This may be explained by high concentrations of biogenic hydrocarbon s in this period. Odd and even n-alkane distribution in analyzed sampl es shows a partial contamination by fossil hydrocarbons. Among various isomers of linear alkylbenzenes, the ones isolated in the greatest qu antities were generally those with the largest linear chain. We also i dentified several tetrapropylene alkylbenzenes isomers (TABs), which m ay still be used for sulfonate detergents in some countries.