Analysis of hydrocarbons and fatty acids in superficial sediments collected near the El Jadida industrial sewage (Moroccan Atlantic Coastal)

Marine sediments collected near the El Jadida industrial sewage (Moroccan A tlantic Coastal) have been analysed in order to determine and to compare th e amounts of: extractable organic matter, saturated and aromatic hydrocarbo ns and fatty acids. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of hydrocarbo ns (saturated and aromatics) is useful to know the origine of these compoun ds. Generally, petroleum hydrocarbons are predominant, bur biogenic hydroca rbons are also present. The analysis are conducted by capillary gas chromat ography, capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and U.V. fluorescen ce (synchronous excitation) methods.