Accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in acid sensitive lakes

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0016-7037(87)90370-X· OSTI ID:5284977

Furlong, E T; Cessar, L R; Hites, R A ^[1]

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1. Indiana Univ., Bloomington (USA)

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations and fluxes were measured in {sup 210}Pb dated sediment cores taken from nine lakes in four regions identified as susceptible to acidification. Calculated PAH accumulations were compared with historic S emissions, accumulation of sedimentary S, and anthropogenic metal accumulations to determine if PAH could be used as an indicator of combustion-derived sulfate deposition. Comparisons between regions indicated that the Adirondacks have a significantly higher burden of PAH than do northern New England, the northern Great Lakes States, and northern Florida. This difference likely results from significant upwind PAH sources to the Adirondack lakes. Detailed investigation of the largest lake in the study set, Big Moose Lake, indicates that PAH may serve as conservative, combustion indicators in large lakes. In this lake, PAH fluxes and concentrations were significantly correlated with historical S emission rates. These data suggest that PAH measured in sediment cores from large lakes can serve as indicators of past combustion production deposition.

• OSTI ID: 5284977
• Journal Information: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (USA), Journal Name: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta; (USA) Vol. 51:11; ISSN GCACA; ISSN 0016-7037
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
540320 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACID RAIN
ACIDIFICATION
ADIRONDACK MOUNTAINS
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
AROMATICS
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMISTRY
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS
DEPOSITION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
FEDERAL REGION II
FEDERAL REGION IV
FLORIDA
GEOCHEMISTRY
HEAVY NUCLEI
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
HYDROCARBONS
ISOTOPES
LAKES
LEAD 210
LEAD ISOTOPES
MOUNTAINS
NEW YORK
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEI
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
RADIOISOTOPES
RAIN
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
WATER CHEMISTRY
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES