Primary Research on the Application of Molecular Markers in Investigation of Environmental Organic Geochemistry in the Vietnamese Coastal Zone

Mai Trong Nhuan* , Pham Hung Viet**, Dao Manh Tien ***, Vu Truong Son *** and Pham Manh Hoai **

* Vietnam National University, Xuan Thuy Road, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, Vietnam
**Centre for Environmental Technology and Sustainable Development, Hanoi University of Science, Vietnam National University, 334 Nguyen Trai Road, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, Vietnam
***Centre for Marine Geology and Mineral Resources, 6 Pham Ngu Lao Street, Hanoi, Vietnam

The use of Molecular Markers is a new method that has been widely applied in many studies on environmental organic geochemistry. Based on the determination of selected organic compounds this method is applied to identify their sources.

In order to measure the pollution status of organic toxic compounds and the sedimentation rate at Hau River estuaries (Mekong delta coastal zone), two molecular marker groups, organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were selected in this study. The obtained results indicated that organochlorine pesticides (1,88-35,1 ng g-1 dry wt) and PCBs (0,19-11,6 ng g-1 dry wt) were accumulated in marine sediment around Hau River estuaries. The sedimentation rate is primarily estimated 70cm during 30-35 years at the south of Trande estuary, the north of Dinhan estuary.

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