scholarly journals Deposition of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) into Northern Ontario Lake Sediments

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham A. Colby

AbstractPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are priority pollutants that are produced through incomplete combustion of modern biomass and fossil fuels. In aquatic systems PAHs are absorbed by suspended matter and ultimately deposited into sediments. PAH fluxes to sediments have been declining in North American since the mid 1960s. Improving technology and regulations were expected to contribute to declining PAH concentrations; however, in some urban sediment there are recent increases in deposition. Trends in concentrations of pyrogenic PAHs and perylene were determined in the sediment of two lakes, in central Ontario. Intact piston cores that preserve the depositional history were collected from each site, sliced into 1 cm intervals and analyzed using gas-chromatography/ mass-spectrometry. Pyrogenic PAH trends at each site displayed unique characteristics suggesting differing extents of influence from various atmospheric sources. The upper core profile (above 8.5 cm) in the more remote site had decreasing PAH concentrations consistent with observations from Siskitwit Lake. The more urban site (above 3.5 cm) had increasing PAH concentrations suggesting modern anthropogenic activities have a larger influence in this region. Perylene fluxes at both sites do not correlate with the observed PAH fluxes, increasing in concentration with depth, thus indicating separate sources for this PAH, likely diagenesis within the sediments. Both sites had PAH concentrations exceeding the interim sediment quality guidelines in the uppermost sediment deposits. This study provides insights into the differential atmospheric deposition in Ontario and may aid in establishing strategies for reducing or mitigating the production of PAHs.

Author(s):  
Paolo Montuori ◽  
Elvira De Rosa ◽  
Fabiana Di Duca ◽  
Donatella Paola Provvisiero ◽  
Pasquale Sarnacchiaro ◽  
...  

This study reports the data on the contamination caused by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) drained from the Volturno River. The seasonal and spatial distribution of PAHs in water and sediment samples was assessed. The 16 PAHs were determined in the water dissolved phase (DP), suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediments. A multidimensional statistical approach was used to identify three pollution composite indicators. Contaminant discharges of PAHs into the sea were calculated in about 3158.2 kg/year. Total concentrations of PAHs varied in ranges 434.8 to 872.1 ng g−1 and 256.7 to 1686.3 ng L−1 in sediment samples and in water (DP + SPM), respectively. The statistical results indicated that the PAHs mainly had a pyrolytic source. Considering the sediment quality guidelines (SQGs), the water environmental quality standards (USEPA EQS), and risk quotient (RQ), the Volturno River would be considered as an area in which the environmental integrity is possibly at risk.


1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. L. Lockhart ◽  
C. G. Muir ◽  
P. Wilkinson ◽  
A. Yarechewski ◽  
B.N. Billeck

Abstract Some aspects of the quality of fish and sediment samples with respect to contamination with organochlorine compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and several metals are addressed. Fish were obtained from three reservoirs: Kyiv, Kremenchuk and Kakhovka. Sediment cores were obtained from Kremenchuk, Zaporizhzhia and Kakhovka. Levels of contaminants in fish showed differences among species within a reservoir and among reservoirs within a species. The major organochlorine compounds found in the fish were DDT and PCBs with levels in the low ng/g range. Fish PCB levels generally tended to be higher in the Upper Kakhovka reservoir than in the other reservoirs and the congener profile suggested a local source of PCBs to that reservoir. Bream from the Kyiv reservoir had higher levels of mercury than bream from the other reservoirs even though they were of relatively small size. Lead-210 profiles in sediment cores suggested that all three cores sampled only recent time; two of the cores extended deeply enough to capture the large increase in cesium-137 from Chernobyl in 1986, and the third consisted only of material deposited after that event. Inputs of cesium-137 were high and there was no indication of decreases since 1986. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments were also high, especially in the Zaporizhzhia reservoir where concentrations consistently exceeded Canadian sediment quality guidelines by sever-alfold. Concentrations were lower in the Kakhovka reservoir but still in excess of guidelines, and they were lower yet at the most upstream core from Kremenchuk reservoir. A similar pattern was evident with several metals in sediments. Concentrations in the core from Zaporizhzhia exceeded those from Kakhovka which in turn exceeded those from Kremenchuk. Concentrations in both Zaporizhzhia and Kakhovka generally exceeded Canadian sediment quality guidelines. The general picture that emerges is one of a system of widespread chemical contamination not only with Chernobyl byproducts but also with hydrocarbons, metals and organochlorines, with significant sources downstream from the Kremenchuk site.


2013 ◽  
Vol 328 ◽  
pp. 323-327
Author(s):  
Cheng Di Dong ◽  
Chih Feng Chen ◽  
Yi Kuo Chang ◽  
Chiu Wen Chen

The surface samples were collected from the Love River mouth, Taiwan and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Total PAHs concentrations varied from 785 to 1,893 ng/g dw. The spatial distribution of PAHs reveals that the PAHs concentration is relatively high in the river mouth region, and gradually diminishes toward the harbor region. Diagnostic ratios showed that the possible source of PAHs in the Love River mouth could be petroleum combustion. The toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQcarc) of PAHs varied from 117 to 272 ng TEQ/g dw. Higher total TEQcarc values were found in the river mouth region. As compared with the US Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs), the observed levels of PAHs at Love River mouth were lower than the effects range low (ERL), and would probably not exert adverse biological effects.


2012 ◽  
Vol 178-181 ◽  
pp. 992-995
Author(s):  
Chih Feng Chen ◽  
Chiu Wen Chen ◽  
Cheng Di Dong

Surface samples were collected from the Jen-Gen River mouth, Taiwan and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Total PAHs concentrations varied from 283 to 1,277 ng/g, with a mean concentration of 671 ng/g. The spatial distribution of PAHs reveals that the PAHs concentration is relatively high in the river mouth region, and gradually diminishes toward the harbor region. Diagnostic ratios showed that the possible source of PAHs in the Jen-Gen River mouth could be petroleum combustion. The toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQcarc) of PAHs varied from 43 to 169 ng TEQ/g. Higher total TEQcarc values were found in the river mouth region. As compared with the US Sediment Quality Guidelines (SQGs), the observed levels of PAHs at Jen-Gen River mouth were lower than the effects range low (ERL), and would probably not exert adverse biological effects.


Author(s):  
Lu Yang ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Xuan Zhang ◽  
Wanli Xing ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
...  

Particulate matter (PM) is a major factor contributing to air quality deterioration that enters the atmosphere as a consequence of various natural and anthropogenic activities. In PM, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) represent a class of organic chemicals with at least two aromatic rings that are mainly directly emitted via the incomplete combustion of various organic materials. Numerous toxicological and epidemiological studies have proven adverse links between exposure to particulate matter-bound (PM-bound) PAHs and human health due to their carcinogenicity and mutagenicity. Among human exposure routes, inhalation is the main pathway regarding PM-bound PAHs in the atmosphere. Moreover, the concentrations of PM-bound PAHs differ among people, microenvironments and areas. Hence, understanding the behaviour of PM-bound PAHs in the atmosphere is crucial. However, because current techniques hardly monitor PAHs in real-time, timely feedback on PAHs including the characteristics of their concentration and composition, is not obtained via real-time analysis methods. Therefore, in this review, we summarize personal exposure, and indoor and outdoor PM-bound PAH concentrations for different participants, spaces, and cities worldwide in recent years. The main aims are to clarify the characteristics of PM-bound PAHs under different exposure conditions, in addition to the health effects and assessment methods of PAHs.


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