Isolation of marine sediment interstitial water colloids and associated organic contaminants

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:37483

Burgess, R M ^[1]; Quinn, J G ^[2]

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1. Environmental Protection Agency, Narragansett, RI (United States). Environmental Research Lab.
2. Univ. of Rhode Island, Narragansett, RI (United States). Graduate School of Oceanography

Natural waters can be viewed as consisting of three phases: the familiar dissolved and particulate phases and the often overlooked colloidal phase. Colloids have large surface area to volume ratios and slow settling rates which enhance their role in the sorption and transport of anthropogenic contaminants. These characteristics make understanding colloid-contaminant interactions important despite difficulties isolating these substances. This presentation will discuss a method for isolating colloids from marine sediment core interstitial waters to quantify organic contaminants. The method involves Amicon{reg_sign}membrane ultrafiltration as evaluated using UV spectroscopy to monitor ultrafilter breakthrough, organic carbon measurements to assess laboratory contamination, and {sup 14}C labelled organic compounds (e.g., {sup 14}C Lindane, {sup 14}C fluoranthene, {sup 14}C tetrachlorobiphenyl) to monitor ultrafilter equipment adsorption. Spectroscopic studies indicate retentate breakthrough occurs after approximately 75% of sample is ultrafiltered. Organic carbon levels in saline blanks were acceptable. Isotopic studies show moderate adsorption of labelled chemicals ranging from 6 to 21%. Use of this method allows separation of contaminated marine sediments into particulate, colloidal and dissolved phases. A primary objective of this work is measurement of empirical partition coefficients for organic contaminants including PCB congeners, PAHs, and pesticides.

• OSTI ID: 37483
• Report Number(s): CONF-9410273--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
COLLOIDS
CONDENSED AROMATICS
CONTAMINATION
INTERSTITIAL WATER
MEASURING METHODS
PHASE STUDIES
SEAS
SEDIMENTS
TRACER TECHNIQUES
WATER POLLUTION