Evaluation of Yakataga oil seeps as regional background hydrocarbon sources in benthic sediments of the Exxon Valdez spill area

Measurements of the contributions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aliphatic hydrocarbons from naturally occuring oil seeps and terrestrial coal deposits near Cape Yakataga, Alaska to benthic marine sediments in the Gulf of Alaska from Yakutat Bay to Cape St. Elias were conducted to determine the source of hydrocarbons in the sediments. Although Johnston Creek was found to convey a discernible load of seep-derived hydrocarbons to the Gulf, most of the sediments contained hydrocarbons from unknown sources, possibly located under the Malaspina Glacier.