Sediment-associated aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons in coastal British Columbia, Canada: Concentrations, composition, and associated risks to protected sea otters

► Sediment hydrocarbon signatures differed between remote and impacted coastal sites. ► A natural background comprised terrestrial plant alkanes and petrogenic PAHs. ► Impacted sites reflected a history of petrogenic and pyrogenic hydrocarbon inputs. ► Hydrocarbons at some sites exceeded guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. ► Protected sea otters may thus be at risk as they rely primarily on benthic prey.